Tanzania for explorers From Tarangire to Tanganyika, a journey through unspoiled lands

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara: there’s no denying it, northern Tanzania draws some remarkable visitors. The east of the country is just as enticing, attracting travellers with the pristine sands of Zanzibar." The downside is that tourists have caught on and now arrive in large numbers, ready to be amazed. All the more reason to embark on a different kind of westward rush towards the untouched lands of Katavi and Mahale. Tucked away in the western side of the country, far from the usual tourist routes, these national parks still preserve some of their old-world charm. Wild lands that drew explorers and inspired writers. This was where British doctor David Livingstone died after a life of adventures on the African continent which made him a Victorian legend. The American novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs, is said to have drawn his inspiration from the lush vegetation of the Mahale Mountains i when creating the iconic character Tarzan, an English aristocrat raised by great apes. A century later, these western kingdoms remain fiercely protected and welcome only a few hundred privileged visitors each year. Touch down in style at the foot of Kilimanjaro and transfer to Arusha. We take advantage of being in the north-east to travel 150 km to Tarangire National Park with its savannah and baobab forests and herds of elephants by the dozen. Here, dawn always lives up to its promise. We wouldn’t miss the spectacle of animals awakening in this setting or anything. The landscape transforms from a bluish haze to shades of pink and orange, sparklingly brilliant until the sun sets. You hold your breath, listen for every sound, interpret every crack. Your first safaris always hold a special place and a unique thrill. With each new sighting - lion, cheetah, giraffe or wild dog - a thrill runs through the group. Once these codes have been mastered, and as if completing a rite of passage, you take to the skies in a Cessna. Flight over a cuckoo’s nest . Experience the thrill of landing on a dirt airstrip. We are so far west of East Africa that we are almost at its centre. “At the heart of things”, as others might say. Katavi National Park sits nestled in a branch of the Rift Valley. Over the course of a single year, between the rainy season and the dry season, the site changes completely. The plain stirs and fades, only to fill with water once again. All the animals respond to this call: just follow the river to find crocodiles and hippos frolicking, and zebras, buffalo and antelopes drinking. So close, yet just far enough to warrant another trip in a single-engine plane, Mahale Mountains National Park, on the shores of Lake Manyara, spans the mountains that share its name. The tropical forests that cover their slopes have a mirage-like quality. The canopy rings with the cries of hundreds of chimpanzees. The species - the second most closely related to humans - was wise to settle here. Observers follow them for longer or shorter stretches, depending on where these playful primates roam. You approach them on tiptoe, heart pounding, taking care not to startle them.

Your journey to the heart of Africa 

This journey takes you to remote lands. In fact you will need a Cessna to take you there. And for the plane to take off, it must be full. Clearly, this itinerary is all about adventure. This means a few precautions are in order. You can count on us for that. You will arrive in the country on a direct international flight, withassistance on arrival. The rest of the journey is just as seamless, as your private vehicles and other internal transfers are already booked. Just hop on board! In Tarangire Park, a driver-guide takes the lead, or rather, drives the 4x4. The vehicle is as comfortable as can be, kept cool, with a selection of drinks to quench your thirst. At every stop, the rangers escorting you know their stuff. They always deliver, and sometimes exceed expectations when it comes to wildlife spotting. There is no shortage of opportunities, with two safaris per day in Tarangire and Katavi parks. In Mahale, you have the privilege of joining small teams for chimpanzee trekking. Your lodges follow the same philosophy - maximising opportunities for wildlife encounters, and moments of wonder - thanks to their carefully chosen locations. They can be perched above the water (the grail of safari) in Tarangire, opening onto the Katisunga plains in Katavi, or set on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, just steps from the park entrance in Mahale. Finally, throughout your adventure, you benefit from full range of Voyageurs du Monde services: concierge service, 24/7 assistance,and a GPS-assisted app. Tanzania is extraordinary, and this journey promises to be just as remarkable.