Duration

5 Days 4 Nights

Country

Tanzania, United Republic of

Maximum Traveller

Min Pax

5-Day Chimpanzee Safari: Mahale Mountains & Gombe Stream

Overview
Itinerary
Cost Info
FAQ
Map

Overview

This is a safari unlike any other in Tanzania — no vehicles, no open plains, just dense forest, steep mountain trails, and the chance to sit quietly a few meters from wild chimpanzees going about their day. Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream are the country's only two chimpanzee-trekking destinations, reachable solely by small aircraft and boat across Lake Tanganyika. Gombe is where Dr. Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking research in 1960; Mahale offers a larger, wilder forest wilderness with white-sand beaches on the lakeshore. Together, they're one of Africa's most exclusive and rewarding wildlife experiences.

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Hotel Pickup in Dar es Salaam → Fly to Kigoma → Boat to Mahale Mountains
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Dar es Salaam for the transfer to the airport, where you'll board a flight to Kigoma, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika — the world's second-deepest and second-largest freshwater lake. From Kigoma, continue by boat along the lakeshore to Mahale Mountains National Park, arriving to views of forested peaks rising straight from the water.

Spend the afternoon settling in, with an optional forest walk or swim in the lake's clear water.

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale (iconic, luxury beach-and-forest camp) or Mahale Forest Camp (comfortable alternative) Or Something Similar.
Day 2
Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Mountains
A guided trek into the forested mountains to track one of Mahale's habituated wild chimpanzee communities, followed by expert trackers who know their movements closely. Trek duration varies from 30 minutes to several hours depending on where the chimps are ranging. In the afternoon, unwind with a boat safari or snorkel in Lake Tanganyika, home to hundreds of colorful cichlid fish species found nowhere else on Earth.

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale (iconic, luxury beach-and-forest camp) or Mahale Forest Camp (comfortable alternative) Or Something Similar.
Day 3
Optional Second Trek → Boat & Road Transfer to Gombe Stream
For those who want it, an optional early-morning second chimpanzee trek in Mahale before departure. Afterward, transfer by boat back to Kigoma, then continue by boat along the lakeshore to Gombe Stream National Park — the smallest of Tanzania's national parks, and the site of Jane Goodall's pioneering research. Arrive in the afternoon for an orientation walk along the very trails where that research began.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Gombe Forest Lodge, or Kigoma Hilltop Hotel with daily boat access into the park. Or Something Similar.
Day 4
Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe Stream
A full day dedicated to trekking Gombe's chimpanzee communities — descendants of the groups Goodall first studied over 60 years ago. Gombe's steep, forested terrain makes for a more physical trek than Mahale, but the reward is the same profound experience of wild chimpanzees at close range. Afternoon free for a lakeside swim or a second, shorter trek if chimps are nearby.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Gombe Forest Lodge, or Kigoma Hilltop Hotel with daily boat access into the park. Or Something similar.
Day 5
Day 5: Boat to Kigoma → Fly to Dar es Salaam → Hotel Drop-off
Transfer by boat to Kigoma, then fly back to Dar es Salaam, connecting with your onward or international departure, or drop-off at your Dar es Salaam hotel if extending your stay.

Cost Info

Price includes

Safaris Includes

All park entrance fees for Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream, including chimpanzee trekking permits at both parks
Hotel pickup in Dar es Salaam, flights Dar–Kigoma and Kigoma–Dar, plus all boat transfers on Lake Tanganyika
4 nights' full-board accommodation as listed above
All chimpanzee treks per itinerary, led by specialist local trekking guides
Boat safaris and forest walks as noted
Bottled water throughout

Price excludes

EXCLUDES;

International Flights Ticket.
Visa
Medications
Medical / Travel Insurance
Optional activities such as Hot Air Balloon Rides, Canoeing, etc..
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Asante Tipping for the driver guide

FAQ

FAQ Expand All

FAQ 1; How difficult is the chimpanzee trekking?
Mahale treks range from an easy 30-minute walk to several hours over uneven forest terrain, depending on where the chimps are that day. Gombe's terrain is steeper and generally more physical. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, but treks are led at a pace suited to the group, with rest stops as needed.
FAQ 2; Am I guaranteed to see chimpanzees?
Sighting rates are high at both parks — trackers monitor the habituated communities daily — but as with any wild animal encounter, it's never 100% guaranteed. Most guests see chimpanzees on their first trek; a second trek (available as an optional add-on) further increases the chances across the trip.
FAQ 3; Why visit both Mahale and Gombe instead of just one?
Each offers a distinct experience. Gombe is smaller, steeper, and historically significant as the birthplace of chimpanzee research. Mahale is larger and wilder, with the added draw of Lake Tanganyika's white-sand beaches and snorkeling. Combining both gives you the full picture of chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania, not just one side of it.

Map

from $3,300.00

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5-Day Chimpanzee Safari: Mahale Mountains & Gombe Stream

Overview

Overview

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1

Hotel Pickup in Dar es Salaam → Fly to Kigoma → Boat to Mahale Mountains

Day 2

Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Mountains

Day 3

Optional Second Trek → Boat & Road Transfer to Gombe Stream

Day 4

Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe Stream

Day 5

Day 5: Boat to Kigoma → Fly to Dar es Salaam → Hotel Drop-off

Cost Info

Cost Info

Price includes

Price excludes

FAQ

FAQ Expand All

FAQ 1; How difficult is the chimpanzee trekking?

FAQ 2; Am I guaranteed to see chimpanzees?

FAQ 3; Why visit both Mahale and Gombe instead of just one?

Map

Map

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