UGALLA RIVER NATIONAL PARK:
The Ugalla river in west central Tanzania is a broad, slow moving river of sand banks, shallow pools. Ox bow lakes and swamps that winds it away in meandering loops westwards through a remote and almost forgotten world of extraordinary wildlife richness. it became a national park in 2019. It is just under 5000sqkm in area.
The river drains a vast land scape of shallow hills and valleys dominated by miombo woodlands. Also a tall grass savannah that are home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopards, zebras. Moreover the largest herds of sable and roan antelope to be found in Tanzania. In the swampy stretches to the west are found the swamp dwelling sitatunga antelope, cape clawless otters. And a host of exciting water birds such as shoe bill storks wattled cranes, pygmy geese.
In the dry season lasting from July to October. These animals concentrate more and more on the Ugalla river National Park. It becomes a place where exciting wildlife lies around almost every corner.
Hippo and crocodile abound in the river. And indeed the Ugalla river is reputed to have some of the largest crocodiles ever recorded in Africa. During wet season they are feeding on catfish and other fish. But as the dry season progresses. They supplement their diet with animals coming down to drink may grow to over 21 foot in length.
Game viewing will focus mostly on the river itself following its endless twist and loops and beautiful overlooks. Groves of huge trees and scattered along the banks offering wonderful places to camp or perhaps just relax for mid-day picnic of coffee break as you watch wildlife all round you.
The Ugalla river flows slowly westwards beyond the boundaries of the national park into the complex waterways and west lands of the Moyowosi swamps. Which will eventually drain into Lake Tanganyika. This vast and remote domain must surely be one of the greatest unexplored wildlife treasures of all of Africa.
KATAVI NATIONAL PARK: Combine less visited Tanzania National Parks Ugalla, Katavi and Mahale. Home to the largest herds of buffalo on the planet, Katavi National Park like we said is untouched wilderness paradise, situated in the western area of Tanzania adventures. Hippopotamus in their thousands cram dwindling pools, crocodiles dig riverbank caves. Buffalo and elephant fight for waterholes. Furthermore, Lion, hyenas and other predators know this and wildlife watching here becomes even more outstanding.
Game drives in Katavi offer a varied and rewarding experience. Then anticipate the excitement of the predators hunting their dinner as the game move back to the trees in the evenings. Drive along crocodile-infested rivers, through arid palm-studded sand bars, and skirt seasonal lakes, seeing quantities of game reminiscent of a bygone era.
What to see in Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park – Elephant, Lions, Buffaloes, Hippopotamus, Chimpanzee, savannah and big swamps
Itinerary at a Glance.
- Day 1: Fly from Dar es salaam to Tabora, Then, drive to The Ugalla River National Park – Campsite
- Day 2: Ugalla National Park – Campsite
- Day 3: Ugalla National Park – Campsite
- Day 4: Ugalla National Park to Campsite
- Day 5: Ugalla National Park drive to Mpanda – Overnight at the Campsite
- Day 6: Katavi National Park – Overnight Ihama Campsite
- Day 7: Katavi Game drives – Overnight Ihama/Campsite
- Day 8: Katavi National Park – Ihama/Campsite
- Day 9: Katavi National Park – Ihama/Campsite
- Day 10: Katavi National Park – Fly to Dar/Zanzibar
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Ihama Lodge
Is a newly opened Lodge, situated in its own forest reserve bordering one of the rare places left in Africa, undiscovered Katavi National Park. The Lodge set up along the mighty Sitalike River near the Katavi gate, the Eastern gate to the Katavi National Park.
KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
Arrive in Mpanda from Dar es salaam or arusha by flight right away you will start your journey to Kafavi National Park. You will check in at the park and start the game drive right away. Hot lunch will be served in the park. Gsme drive till sunset.
You will be excited to go out for untamed wilderness. The park set in an extension of the Rift valley between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa in southwest Tanzania. Enjoy wildly and remote magnificent safari destination. Less tourist ventures this park than others in Tanzania giving chance to experience the magic of Africa at its most unspoiled.
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Ihama Lodge
Is a newly opened Lodge, situated in its own forest reserve bordering one of the rare places left in Africa, undiscovered Katavi National Park. The Lodge set up along the mighty Sitalike River near the Katavi gate, the Eastern gate to the Katavi National Park.
KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
Early morning game drive in Katavi National park. Elephants can be seen daily and the numbers of buffalo are phenomenal with heard upon heard of 1000 strong grazing the dried-out flood plains. Hippos and crocs numbering in the 1000s yet increasingly confined to shrinking pools and mud wallows with regular fights erupting amongst the hippo bulls. Large herds of Topi also concentrate into the flood plains
The predators are here in force especially lion and spotted hyena. Male lions are characterized by very short manes but large powerful bodies. In the hinterland are huge expanses of acacia and broad-leaved woodlands (miombo) and it is here that roan and sable antelope are found as well as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. You will have dinner and overnight at Ihama Lodge/Katavi Rest House
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KATAVI - MAHALE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast drive to Mahale via Mwese. 162Km drive over the ridge of the rift valley before face Lake Tanganyika. Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest lake (673 km) and is about one and half kilometers deep and contains about 16% of the world’s fresh water it is second only to lake Baikal in Russia in volume. It is the purest fresh water on the planet. The lake is home to hundreds of species of fish including bright colored fish known as cichlids. Hippo and crocodile are common across its full extent. You will arrive for hot lunch before breezes at the lake beach.
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MAHALE - Chimpanzee Experience
Early breakfast drive to Mahale Park for Chimpanzee trekking. You will be briefed how to behave and all hygiene issues before meeting the chimps. You will need also to wear mask all the time.
Chimp watching. To get to the only habituated group of chimps, the M group, one climbs up through the mountain forest on a network of simple cleared paths to get into touch with the chimps and when one does the experience is extraordinary to the point of being bizarre.
The chimpanzees go on with their lives- walking, sleeping, fighting politicking eating etc as if they are not there. They take virtually no notice of visitors this is perfect, because you never feel like you are intruding.
After spending the strictly controlled 1 hour with chimps, you return to your accommodation facility to wash off the sweat, have delicious lunch and spend the rest of the leisure; or perhaps one of the number of the activities.
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MAHALE - MPANDA
Breakfast followed by short break at the Lodge before driving back to Mpanda. We are expecting you to have lunch at the Lodge before the drive. Dinner and overnight at Mpanda.
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FLY BACK TO DAR ES SALAAM
Drive to the airport. Flight back to Dar es salaam.
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Green Season
(1st April To 31st May)
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Should Season
(1st Nov – 14th Dec & March)
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Peak Season
(1st June – 30 Oct & 15th Dec-28th Feb)
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UGALLA RIVER NATIONAL PARK:
The Ugalla river in west central Tanzania is a broad, slow moving river of sand banks, shallow pools. Ox bow lakes and swamps that winds it away in meandering loops westwards through a remote and almost forgotten world of extraordinary wildlife richness. it became a national park in 2019. It is just under 5000sqkm in area.
The river drains a vast land scape of shallow hills and valleys dominated by miombo woodlands. Also a tall grass savannah that are home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopards, zebras. Moreover the largest herds of sable and roan antelope to be found in Tanzania. In the swampy stretches to the west are found the swamp dwelling sitatunga antelope, cape clawless otters. And a host of exciting water birds such as shoe bill storks wattled cranes, pygmy geese.
In the dry season lasting from July to October. These animals concentrate more and more on the Ugalla river National Park. It becomes a place where exciting wildlife lies around almost every corner.
Hippo and crocodile abound in the river. And indeed the Ugalla river is reputed to have some of the largest crocodiles ever recorded in Africa. During wet season they are feeding on catfish and other fish. But as the dry season progresses. They supplement their diet with animals coming down to drink may grow to over 21 foot in length.
Game viewing will focus mostly on the river itself following its endless twist and loops and beautiful overlooks. Groves of huge trees and scattered along the banks offering wonderful places to camp or perhaps just relax for mid-day picnic of coffee break as you watch wildlife all round you.
The Ugalla river flows slowly westwards beyond the boundaries of the national park into the complex waterways and west lands of the Moyowosi swamps. Which will eventually drain into Lake Tanganyika. This vast and remote domain must surely be one of the greatest unexplored wildlife treasures of all of Africa.
KATAVI NATIONAL PARK: Combine less visited Tanzania National Parks Ugalla, Katavi and Mahale. Home to the largest herds of buffalo on the planet, Katavi National Park like we said is untouched wilderness paradise, situated in the western area of Tanzania adventures. Hippopotamus in their thousands cram dwindling pools, crocodiles dig riverbank caves. Buffalo and elephant fight for waterholes. Furthermore, Lion, hyenas and other predators know this and wildlife watching here becomes even more outstanding.
Game drives in Katavi offer a varied and rewarding experience. Then anticipate the excitement of the predators hunting their dinner as the game move back to the trees in the evenings. Drive along crocodile-infested rivers, through arid palm-studded sand bars, and skirt seasonal lakes, seeing quantities of game reminiscent of a bygone era.
What to see in Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park – Elephant, Lions, Buffaloes, Hippopotamus, Chimpanzee, savannah and big swamps
Itinerary at a Glance.
- Day 1: Fly from Dar es salaam to Tabora, Then, drive to The Ugalla River National Park – Campsite
- Day 2: Ugalla National Park – Campsite
- Day 3: Ugalla National Park – Campsite
- Day 4: Ugalla National Park to Campsite
- Day 5: Ugalla National Park drive to Mpanda – Overnight at the Campsite
- Day 6: Katavi National Park – Overnight Ihama Campsite
- Day 7: Katavi Game drives – Overnight Ihama/Campsite
- Day 8: Katavi National Park – Ihama/Campsite
- Day 9: Katavi National Park – Ihama/Campsite
- Day 10: Katavi National Park – Fly to Dar/Zanzibar
