Western Tanzania Circuit
Africa's most remote wilderness
Overview
The Western Tanzania Circuit is Africa's best-kept secret — vast wilderness of rainforests, savannah, and lakeshores virtually untouched by mass tourism. Trek to sit metres from wild chimpanzees at Mahale, witness Katavi's legendary hippo pools with no other tourist vehicles in sight, and explore Rubondo Island's shores by boat. Access is by charter aircraft, keeping visitor numbers naturally low.
Highlights
- Habituated chimpanzee trekking at Mahale — 95%+ sighting success
- Katavi National Park — Tanzania's third-largest, virtually no tourists
- Rubondo Island — forested island sanctuary on Lake Victoria
- Gombe Stream — Jane Goodall's original chimpanzee research site
- Lake Tanganyika — world's second-deepest lake, swim and snorkel
Best Time to Visit
June to October (dry season). Mahale open year-round; July–October is peak.
Travel Tips
- • Access by charter flight from Dar, Arusha, or Mwanza
- • Combine Mahale and Katavi — 2 hours apart by charter
- • Book 3–6 months ahead for July–September peak
