Overview

Combine two of Africa’s most breathtaking wildlife encounters.

Day 01 :

Arrival in Arusha - Gateway to Adventure

Afternoon:

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport
Meet safari coordinator
Transfer to Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge (1 hour)
Check into garden cottage

Late Afternoon:

Settle in and relax
Explore coffee estate
Swimming pool
Gardens and bird watching

Evening (5:00 PM):

Comprehensive Adventure Briefing:
- This is a complex itinerary
- Multiple flights and locations
- Very different experiences
- Mahale Mountains preparation:
  - What is chimp trekking?
  - Physical requirements
  - What to expect
  - Packing for rainforest
  - Health considerations:
    - Yellow Fever certificate (mandatory)
    - Malaria prophylaxis essential
    - Insect repellent
    - First aid
  - Photography tips (challenging in forest)
  - Etiquette around chimps
  - Park rules and regulations
- Logistics review:
  - Flight schedules
  - Luggage restrictions (15kg soft bags)
  - Pack light!
  - Leave unnecessary items at Arusha hotel storage
- Serengeti portion preview:
  - After Mahale, completely different
  - Plains vs. forest
  - Contrasting experiences

Dinner (7:30 PM):

Welcome dinner at lodge
Early night - early flight tomorrow
Final preparations and packing

Important:

Ensure Yellow Fever certificate accessible
Pack properly for both forest and plains
Two different climates
Forest: humid, wet, insects
Serengeti: dry, dusty, hot

Overnight: Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge

Meals: Dinner

Day 02 :

Arusha to Kigoma - Journey to Lake Tanganyika

Pre-Dawn:

Wake-up call 4:30 AM
Quick breakfast 5:00 AM
Transfer to Arusha Airport 5:30 AM

Morning:

Flight Arusha to Kigoma (7:00 AM departure):
- Duration: 2.5-3 hours
- Scheduled service (Coastal Aviation or similar)
- Fly west across Tanzania
- Remote, sparsely populated areas
- Approach Lake Tanganyika
- Land at Kigoma (9:30-10:00 AM)

Mid-Morning:

Arrive Kigoma - Tanzania's western frontier town
Meet local coordinator
Transfer to lakeside hotel (15 minutes)
Check in - simple but comfortable
Lunch at hotel (12:00 PM)

Afternoon:

Kigoma town exploration (optional):
- Historic German colonial architecture
- Ujiji - where Stanley met Livingstone
- Famous "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" site
- Local markets
- Lake Tanganyika shore
- Watch dhows (traditional boats)
- Sunset over the lake
Or simply rest at hotel
Prepare for tomorrow's boat transfer

Evening:

Dinner at hotel (7:00 PM)
Early night
Tomorrow's boat journey starts early
3-4 hour boat ride to Mahale

Overnight: Basic lakeside hotel in Kigoma

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03 :

Kigoma to Mahale Mountains - Paradise Found

Pre-Dawn:

Wake-up call 5:00 AM
Quick breakfast 5:30 AM
Transfer to harbor 6:00 AM

Morning:

Boat Transfer to Mahale (6:30 AM departure):
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Traditional dhow or speedboat
- Depends on camp and weather
- The journey:
  - Lake Tanganyika is stunning
  - Crystal clear blue water
  - Mountains rising from lake
  - Completely remote
  - No settlements along shore
  - Just pristine wilderness
  - Dolphins sometimes visible!
  - Flying fish
  - Incredible scenery
- Stop for refreshments midway
- Approach Mahale Mountains
- See Greystoke Mahale on beach
- Arrive mid-morning (10:00-10:30 AM)

Late Morning:

Arrival at Greystoke Mahale:
- Beach landing
- Warm welcome from staff
- Cool towels and drinks
- Check into your banda (bungalow)
- Camp description:
  - Iconic, unique property
  - Open-air bandas on beach
  - Fusion of Robinson Crusoe and Out of Africa
  - Dhow sails as walls
  - No glass - just screens
  - Sleep to sound of waves
  - Stars visible from bed
  - Absolutely magical setting
- Camp tour and orientation
- Safety briefing
- Chimp trekking briefing
Welcome lunch (12:00 PM)

Afternoon:

Rest and acclimatize (1:00-3:00 PM)
Afternoon activities (3:30 PM onward):
- Option 1: Introductory forest walk
  - No chimps (they're bedding down)
  - Get oriented to forest
  - Meet some trackers
  - Learn about ecosystem
  - See smaller primates
  - Birds, butterflies
- Option 2: Kayaking on lake
  - Crystal clear water
  - Explore shoreline
  - Snorkeling possible
  - Fish visible below
- Option 3: Beach relaxation
  - Simply unwind
  - Swim in lake
  - Read a book
  - Enjoy paradise

Evening:

Sundowners on beach (6:00 PM)
Dinner (7:30 PM)
- Often on beach under stars
- Fresh fish from lake
- Organic vegetables
- Excellent cuisine
Chimp briefing for tomorrow:
- What to expect
- What to bring
- Rules and etiquette:
  - Stay 10 meters from chimps
  - No flash photography
  - Turn off phone sounds
  - No eating/drinking near chimps
  - No touching chimps
  - Cover mouth if coughing
  - If chimp approaches you, stay still
  - Follow tracker instructions always
- Early morning start explained
Early night (8:30 PM)

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04 - 05 :

Mahale Mountains - Chimpanzee Trekking

Each day follows similar structure but different trek experiences

Typical Chimp Trekking Day:

Pre-Dawn:

Wake-up call 5:30 AM
Light breakfast 6:00 AM
- Coffee, tea, fruit, toast
- Full breakfast after trek
Gear up:
- Hiking boots (essential!)
- Long pants (protect from thorns)
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Rain jacket (always possible)
- Hat
- Daypack with:
  - Water (2 liters minimum)
  - Snacks
  - Camera (no flash!)
  - Insect repellent
  - Sunscreen
  - Small first aid kit

Morning (6:30 AM):

Depart for chimp trek:
- Walk along beach from camp
- Enter forest at park boundary
- Meet head tracker
- The tracking team:
  - Trackers left at dawn to locate chimps
  - Radio back position
  - Your team follows
- Begin hiking into forest

The Trek (7:00 AM - varies):

Duration: 2-8 hours (unpredictable!)
The forest:
- Dense rainforest
- Steep mountain terrain
- Vines, roots, mud
- Slippery when wet
- Hot and humid
- Beautiful but challenging
Following the chimps:
- Radio updates from trackers
- Chimps move - you follow
- Up mountains, down valleys
- Through streams
- Can be physically demanding
- But excitement keeps you going
Other wildlife en route:
- Red colobus monkeys
- Blue monkeys
- Red-tailed monkeys
- Vervet monkeys
- Yellow baboons
- Bushbucks
- Various birds
- Beautiful butterflies
- Incredible biodiversity

The Encounter:

When chimps are found:
- Trackers signal to be quiet
- Approach slowly
- Maintain 10-meter distance
- THEY ARE RIGHT THERE!
- Sitting in trees
- On the ground
- Going about their lives
- What you might witness:
  - Feeding:
    - Fruit, leaves, insects
    - They're mostly vegetarian
    - Watch their hands
    - So human-like!
  - Grooming:
    - Social bonding
    - Picking parasites
    - Gentle interactions
    - Family bonds visible
  - Playing:
    - Young chimps wrestling
    - Chasing each other
    - Swinging in trees
    - Joyful behavior
  - Social hierarchy:
    - Alpha male displays
    - Pant-hooting calls
    - Submission gestures
    - Dominance interactions
  - Mating (if lucky):
    - Courtship behaviors
    - Brief but fascinating
  - Tool use:
    - Using sticks for termites
    - Cracking nuts with stones
    - Intelligence on display
  - Communication:
    - Vocalizations
    - Facial expressions
    - Gestures
    - "Conversations"
Your hour with them:
- Time flies by
- You're allowed 1 hour once found
- Photograph carefully
- Soak it in
- Emotional experience
- Many people cry
- Looking into their eyes
- Seeing ourselves reflected
- Understanding our connection
The departure:
- When hour ends, must leave
- Walk away from chimps
- Process what you've seen
- Discuss with trackers and guide

Return:

Hike back to camp (1-3 hours)
Different route possible
More forest exploration
Return to camp (time varies)

Late Morning/Midday:

Arrive back at camp (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM depending on trek)
Full breakfast/brunch waiting:
- Eggs, pancakes, bacon
- Fresh fruit
- Juice, coffee
- Replenish energy
Shower and refresh
Share experiences with other guests

Afternoon:

Rest (1:00-4:00 PM):
- Essential after strenuous trek
- Nap
- Read
- Journal about experience
- Edit photos
Optional afternoon activities (4:00 PM):
- Swimming in Lake Tanganyika:
  - Clearest freshwater in world
  - No crocodiles or hippos!
  - Perfectly safe
  - Refreshing after trek
- Snorkeling:
  - See cichlid fish (endemic species)
  - Fascinating underwater world
  - Like mini-coral reef
- Kayaking:
  - Explore shoreline
  - Different perspective
- Fishing:
  - Try for Nile perch
  - Catch and release
  - Or keep for dinner!
- Beach walk:
  - Pristine white sand
  - Collect shells
  - Look for otters
- Village visit:
  - Nearby fishing village
  - Meet locals
  - Learn traditional lifestyle
  - Support community

Evening:

Sundowners (6:00 PM)
Dinner on beach (7:30 PM)
Campfire stories
Discuss the day's chimp encounter
Compare with others' experiences
Early night

Day 5 Variation:

Similar structure
Different chimp trek
M Group has different subgroups
May see different individuals
Different behaviors observed
Every trek is unique
Never same experience twice

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale (Days 4-5)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06 :

Mahale to Arusha - Transition Day

Morning:

Final dawn at Mahale
Optional early morning activity:
- Beach walk at sunrise
- Last swim in lake
- Or simply sleep in!
Leisurely breakfast (7:30 AM)
Pack up (sadly!)
Check out (9:00 AM)

Mid-Morning:

Departure from Mahale (9:30-10:00 AM):
- Boat transfer back across lake
- 3-4 hours to Kigoma
- OR direct flight to Arusha (if booked)
  - Charter flight option
  - More expensive but saves time
  - Spectacular aerial views

Midday/Afternoon:

If flying direct to Arusha:
- Land early afternoon
- Check into Coffee Lodge
- Rest of day at leisure
If boat to Kigoma then flight:
- Arrive Kigoma (1:00-2:00 PM)
- Lunch in Kigoma
- Afternoon flight to Arusha (3:00-4:00 PM)
- Arrive Arusha evening

Evening:

Back at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
Welcome back to familiar place
Dinner at lodge (7:30 PM)
Serengeti briefing:
- Tomorrow flying to Serengeti
- Completely different experience ahead
- From forest to plains
- From chimps to big game
- Repack for Serengeti portion
Early night before tomorrow's flight

Overnight: Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07 :

Arusha to Serengeti - Return to Classic Safari

Morning:

Wake-up call 6:00 AM
Breakfast 6:30 AM
Transfer to Arusha Airport 7:00 AM
Flight to Serengeti (8:00-9:00 AM):
- 1-1.5 hour flight
- Scenic over northern Tanzania
- See volcanic mountains
- Ngorongoro Crater visible
- Enter Serengeti airspace
- Endless plains appear
- Land at Grumeti or Seronera airstrip

Late Morning:

Meet your Serengeti guide (9:30-10:00 AM)
Immediate culture shock:
- From intimate forest to vast plains
- From humid to dry and hot
- From chimps to classic game
- From vertical to horizontal
- From green to golden
Game drive to camp:
- Your safari resumes!
- Look for lions, elephants, giraffes
- Back in the vehicle
- Different rhythm

Midday:

Arrive at Faru Faru Lodge or Singita Sasakwa (11:30 AM-12:00 PM)
Check into spectacular accommodation
Camp features:
- Luxury beyond belief
- Infinity pools
- Spa facilities
- Wine cellars
- Gourmet dining
- After Mahale's rustic elegance, this is opulent
Welcome lunch (12:30 PM)

Afternoon:

Rest (2:00-4:00 PM)
Adjust to new environment
Download and backup Mahale photos
Afternoon game drive (4:00 PM)
Back to classic safari:
- Big Five searching
- Open plains
- 360-degree views
- Completely different from forest
- Appreciate both experiences

Evening:

Sundowners on plains (6:00 PM)
Dinner at camp (7:30 PM)
Compare forest vs. plains
Both incredible in different ways

Overnight: Faru Faru Lodge or Singita Sasakwa Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08 - 09 :

Serengeti - Classic Safari Immersion

Similar structure to standard Serengeti days

Daily Schedule:

Dawn: Early game drives (6:00-10:00 AM) Morning: Bush breakfasts, photography Midday: Return to camp, lunch, rest (11:00 AM-4:00 PM) Afternoon: Game drives (4:00-7:00 PM) Evening: Sundowners, dinner, campfire

Serengeti After Mahale:

Appreciate the contrast
Different beauty
From intimate to expansive
From one species focus to diversity
Both deeply moving experiences
Complete African adventure
Forest and savanna
Our evolutionary cousins and distant relatives

Activities:

Unlimited game drives
Private concession access (Grumeti)
Walking safaris (if available)
Bush dinners
Night drives
Photography sessions
Simply enjoying luxury after Mahale's rustic charm

Overnight: Faru Faru Lodge or Singita Sasakwa Lodge (Days 8-9)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 :

Serengeti to Arusha - Journey's End

Morning:

Final sunrise game drive (5:30-8:00 AM)
Last chance for sightings
Bush breakfast
Return to camp
Pack up
Check out (9:30 AM)

Mid-Morning:

Game drive to airstrip
Flight to Arusha (10:30-11:00 AM)
Land in Arusha (12:00 PM)

Midday:

Day room at Coffee Lodge
Lunch
Freshen up
Final shopping
Transfer to airport

Departure:

Leave with:
- Memories of chimp encounters
- Classic safari experiences
- Two completely different Africas
- Forest and plains
- Intimacy and vastness
- Life-changing journey