5 Unique Things to Do in the Western Safari Circuit

5 Unique Things to Do in the Western Safari Circuit, Tanzania is home to a myriad of destinations – from towering mountains like Kilimanjaro, wildlife-rich parks like Serengeti, to vibrant local communities like the world-famous Maasai tribe. Apart from the famous northern safari circuit, there’s a hidden side of this country known by a few tourists – the Western Safari Circuit. This circuit lies in the remote western corner of the country and comprises parks like Katavi, Gombe, and Mahale, all of which have spectacular attractions worth watching.

With the Western Safari Circuit being remote and known to few, our guests normally wonder what they can do if they visit this pristine part of the country. And that’s why we are here. In this blog, we unveil 5 unique things you should do during your safari in the western circuit.

Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe and Mahale.

The experience of coming across the last remaining chimpanzee is only available in this circuit. Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and other parks in the north offer prime wildlife views, but not direct interaction with the endangered chimpanzees. Just three parks host these endangered primates – Gombe, Mahale, and Rubondo Island. However, trekking safaris are not yet available in Rubondo Island (which is also part of the western circuit).

Trekking enables you to watch the wild chimps for an hour just eight meters away from them. Gombe and Mahale are the only two parks for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Tanzania. Gombe – famously known for Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking chimpanzee research – is home to about 300 chimpanzees inhabiting the forested shores of Lake Tanganyika. Mahale, on the other hand, hosts about 1000 chimps, inhabiting the montane forests of the Mahale Mountains range.

You need a special chimp trekking permit (which we’ll sort out for you), usually costing about $100 per person. To avoid causing disturbances to these creatures, the park allows only eight guests per trek. The experience starts with a briefing, usually from a park official like a ranger, after which a hike in the forest follows. Depending on their current location, the hike might take 1-2 hours or more. After locating their territory, you spend an hour sitting at a safe distance from a chimpanzee troop.

Game drives in Katavi.

While Gombe and Mahale are good for on-foot exploration, Katavi National Park is perfect for driving. Hop into an open-sided vehicle and explore the untamed beauty of this remote park. Known for the largest buffalo herds, this park offers the best game drives sought after by every nature lover.

Here, you have a chance to explore rich wildlife privately, not crowded trails, as in most northern parks. A 4×4 drive across the floodplains and woodlands offers views of elephants, zebra, impala, giraffe, Defassa waterbuck, hartebeest, and buffalo. The Katuma River is a wildlife magnet (especially elephants) during the dry season, and it also teems with large pods of hippos and an incredible population of crocodiles.

Venture into the world of the nocturnal species in a thrilling night safari. The park permits such an incredible safari experience, and you’ll see jackals, porcupines, genets, and even birds like owls and nightjars.

Fly camping in Katavi.

The remoteness of Katavi permits nighttime experiences like fly camping. Simple as it sounds, this experience allows you to sleep in the middle of the jungle in a light, mosquito-proof tent. And the beautiful Milky Way galaxy reveals its true beauty under the vast wilderness of Katavi.

You start the adventure with a leisurely candlelit dinner at a beautiful location near your camp. After campfire story exchanges, you head to your already prepared tent, perfectly set near the riverbank to bring you close to the rustles and ripples of hippos and crocodiles. The tent is transparent to make sure you appreciate the beauty of the African blanket of stars.

This one-of-a-kind activity is rarely available in the north, making Katavi and its sisters, like Ruaha and Selous, perfect places for discovering the magic. Several camps like Nomad Chada Katavi Camp, Mbali Mbali Lodge, and Katavi Wildlife Camp offer this lifetime experience.

Exploring Lake Tanganyika

Boating on Lake Tanganyika is another adventurous activity to do in the western safari circuit. Famously known as the world’s longest tropical lake, this lake has crystal-clear waters, rich aquatic life, and sun-kissed beaches.

You can sail on a boat cruise to unknown reaches of this lake or snorkel and dive in the shallow waters. The low-tidal nature of the beaches allows even first-time divers to learn the best diving skills before heading to spectacular dive sites in Zanzibar.

Fishers love this lake for a reason. With over 200 fish species, a fishing trip means something incredible. You can embark on a catch-and-release fishing trip to see if you can nail the lake’s unique cichlid fish. In your free time – after seeing the chimpanzee – you can sunbathe at its quiet freshwater beaches.

Walking safaris

Walking in the bush feels so good, but a walk to places where no one has been feels even better. Western parks bring this thrilling adventure back to its prime. A walk in the rainforests of Gombe makes you witness primates like the vervets, colobus, and baboons. In addition, a little hike up the Mahale Mountains makes you encounter chimpanzees, birds, and many other animals.

In Katavi, you can walk along the Katuma River to find animals and birds. Or, just walk to the famous tamarind tree, which has some spiritual connection to the locals. It’s believed that the spirit of the legendary hunter, Katabi, is buried under this tree. So, locals usually pay a visit to cast some offerings on this.

The bottom line

It may seem so strange to leave the famous northern safari circuit and head to the remote west, but we are sure you’ll have a good time experiencing wildlife and landscapes alone. Whether it’s your first time or been to Tanzania several times, our unique adventurous activities in the western circuit will amaze you.