Chimpanzee Trekking Tanzania, Best Options To Meet With Chimp Family

Overview

Follow in the footsteps of primatologist Jane Good all on this immersive safari tracking the chimpanzees of western Tanzania.

Spend time observing these fascinating primates in their natural habitat before travelling to Gombe Stream, the smallest national park in Tanzania and home to Jane Goodall’s world-renowned research centre.

This is a tailor-made safari and can be amended to meet your specific requirements including preferred number of days, preferred dates of travel, standard of lodges and budget.

Itinerary

Today you will fly into Arusha Airport, where you will be met and assist onto your flight to Mahale. From there, you will be transfer by how to Kungwe Beach Lodge on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Time permitting, you may wish to head into Mahale Mountains National Park for your first chimpanzee trek or forest hike, before returning to your lodge for sundowners in the evening.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahale

Day 3-4: Full day at Mahale

Spend the next two days explore Mahale Mountains National Park. Accessible only by boat, the remote rainforests of Mahale border the white sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika and are home to the largest population of chimpanzees in Tanzania, with about 1,000 individuals. In the mornings, you will head into the park with your expert guide in search of the chimpanzees, watching them fighting, grooming and taking care of their young. In the afternoons you will return to the lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying a kayaking along the lakeshore, and relaxing with a sundowner overlooking the lake.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahale

Day 5: Mahale to Gombe

After breakfast this morning you will be transferred by boat back to Mahale for your flight to Kigoma. After arrival you will be take another dhow boat ride along Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Forest Lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you may have your first opportunity to explore Gombe Stream National Park on an evening chimpanzee trek or forest walk.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahale

Day 6-7: Full day at Gombe

You will have two full days to discover the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park. Gombe Stream is the smallest national park in Tanzania, forming a small strip of ancient forest along the shore of Lake Tanganyika, and was made world-famous through the work of Jane Goodall. Despite its' small size, Gombe Stream hosts a remarkable range of primate species, including olive baboons, red-tailed colobus and vervet monkeys, as well as the trained chimpanzees. You will have two morning treks to observe the chimpanzees in the park, with afternoons free for you to explore the lakeside and surrounding areas. Return to the lodge for dinner and sundowners in the evenings.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahale

Day 8: Gombe to Kigoma

After breakfast this morning you will board a dhow back to Kigoma in time for lunch at Kigoma Hilltop Hotel, where you will spend your final night in Tanzania. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or the hotels private beach.
Accommodation: Lake Natron Campsite