Wildlife Safari and Trekking
Tanzania Chimps Trekking (Gombe National Park & Mahale National Park)
6 Days | 5 Nights
Safari Overview
Embark on a captivating 6-day Tanzania expedition, the Chimps Trekking West Tanzania, delving deep into the lush forests of western Tanzania to encounter our closest primate relatives, the chimpanzees. This immersive journey offers a rare chance to observe these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat, witnessing their fascinating social interactions. Guided by experts, you’ll trek through dense vegetation, tracking the chimps’ movements and uncovering their hidden world.
Explore the region’s rich biodiversity, encountering other remarkable wildlife species along the way. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, this adventure promises an intimate encounter with chimpanzees and the marvels of the Tanzanian wilderness.
Highlights include hiking and tracking the local chimpanzee population in Mahale National Park. While the chimpanzees are the tour’s main attraction, don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel in Lake Tanganyika and join locals for a fishing experience. Truly an unforgettable journey!
Full Itinerary
Gombe National Park
Flying to Kigoma and upon arrival, proceed to the port for a boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa, to Gombe National Park. Relax and spend the night at a tented lodge.
Gombe National Park is renowned for its chimpanzee families, which are protected within the park. Visitors can embark on walks deep into the forest to observe and sit with these extraordinary primates for an entire morning. Aside from chimpanzee viewing, Gombe Stream is home to many other species of primates, including velvet and colobus monkeys, baboons, forest pigs, and dik-diks. The dense forest also hosts a wide variety of tropical birdlife.
Accommodation: Kasekela Luxury Tented Camp/ Related Lodge (Full Board)
Gome National Park
After breakfast, begin your chimpanzee tracking adventure in the forest. Gombe gained renown through the conservation efforts initiated by Jane Goodall, who first arrived in the area in 1960. Besides observing chimpanzees, Gombe Stream’s tropical forests are home to various other primate species such as velvet and colobus monkeys, as well as baboons. If time permits, you can also climb to Jane’s Peak and visit Kakombe Waterfalls, adding to the richness of your experience.
Accommodation: Kasekela Luxury Tented Camp/ Related Lodge (Full Board)
Gombe National Park to Mahale National Park
After breakfast, take a boat transfer to Kibirizi port (2 hours), followed by a vehicle transfer to Lukoma village. From there, embark on a 45-minute boat ride to Mahale National Park. Upon arrival, relax in the afternoon and settle in for the night. Similar to its northern neighbour (Gombe National Park), Mahale National Park is home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, with a population of roughly 900. These chimpanzees have been habituated to human visitors through a Japanese research project founded in the 1960s. Tracking the chimps of Mahale is a truly magical experience.
Located in western Tanzania to the south of Kigoma town, Mahale borders Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest, second-deepest, and least-polluted freshwater lake, harbouring an estimated 1000 fish species.
Accommodation: GreyStoke Mahale / Related Lodge (Full Board)
Mahale National Park
You will spend full days tracking chimpanzees in Mahale. Chimpanzees typically move around in search of food and create nests wherever there is an abundant food source, such as their favourite fruits. If you’d like to cool off and explore underwater, snorkelling is also an option to discover the wonders beneath the surface.
Accommodation: GreyStoke Mahale / Related Lodge (Full Board)
Mahale National Park to Kigoma Town
After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred by boat back to Lukoma village. From there, you will take a car to Kigoma town. Upon arrival, check in at hotel & relaxation. In the late afternoon, transfer to Ujiji Town to visit the Dr. Livingstone Memorial Centre. Afterwards, return to the hotel for dinner and spend the night.
Accommodation: Lake Tanganyika Hotel/ Related Hotel (Full Board)
Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Kigoma Airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam.
Includes
- The entry fee
- Trekking fee
- Full board accommodation with three meals per day
- Transfer to and from
- Boat 2 ways
- Free WiFi at the office
- Beach fire, the last night before leaving the park.
- VAT
- Hotel
- Dr Livingstone Museum
Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Tips for the guide and chimp’s trekker
- Private and person orders
- Alcohol
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