Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale

This is a safari that takes you to remote Tanzania, a region of vast plains where huge herds of elephant and buffalo roam, and you'll have these sights all to yourself! As well as game drives and guided walks you'll sail on Lake Tanganikya in a traditional dhow and spend magical time with a group of wild chimpanzees.

Your safari starts in Ruaha, a park with dramatic landscapes including savanna, wooded hills and centuries-old baobab trees. This is raw Africa, a true wilderness where you'll see giraffe, elephant, zebra and buffalo in abundance, and whose waters support hippo and crocodile. Lovers of big cats will thrill to the sight of lion, leopard and cheetah, and there are good chances of spotting wild dog.

Due west, Katavi National Park is so remote that few people have the chance to visit. You'll have three full days here to experience this wild region, with its seasonal rivers and floodplains. Your safaris will centre round the all-important water sources, where hundreds of animals gather to drink, while lions and hyenas watch, biding their time. This is a great place to watch hippos gathering in groups of up to 200 in water pools.

After these sweeping plains you'll be whisked off to Lake Tanganyika to enjoy restful dhow cruises, kayak trips and forest walks. The highlight, though, is sure to be your encounter with the chimpanzees. There are very few places you can observe chimps in the wild, so this is a rare privilege and once you'll enjoy not once, but twice on this amazing holiday.

You'll be staying in small camps which combine comfort and simplicity, in keeping with their rustic locations.

This is a very special safari in some unique spots in Africa. It'll be hard to beat this one.