6-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Tracking & Nkungwe Summit Hike

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Kigoma – Mahale (Bilenge)

Depart from Kigoma in the morning for a scenic 7-8hour scenic but rough road journey to Mahale Mountains National Park.
On the way, cross from Ilagala to Kajeje via local ferry, enjoying views of Lake Tanganyika and surrounding villages.
Arrive at Bilenge Headquarters in the late afternoon, meet your guides and porters, and receive a briefing about the trek ahead.
Dinner and overnight at Bilenge Rest House.
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Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit August to October (Chimp trekking is easiest)

High Season August to October (Mahale is never crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Almost no rainfall)

Wildlife in Mahale Mountains NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

HippoOccasional

ElephantRare

GiraffeRare

LeopardRare

ZebraRare

Show more

LionVery Rare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

TANAPA Mahale Rest House

• Budget guest house located inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Trek to Nkungwe Summit via Muhesabantu & Ihumo Summits

After breakfast, set out at 08:00 am for a demanding 9–10 hour trek to the top of Mount Nkungwe, passing Muhesabantu and Ihumo summits along the way. The trail is steep and challenging, requiring endurance and good preparation.
At the Nkungwe summit(Summit Mount Nkungwe (2,462 m) – highest peak in Mahale), enjoy panoramic views of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale’s forests, and even across to the DRC. You may also hear the distant calls of wild chimpanzees—though sightings are unlikely as these groups are not habituated to humans.
Dinner and overnight at Nkungwe Campsite.2.

Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descent to Park Headquarters – Transfer to Kasiha Bandas

After breakfast, begin a 6–7 hour descent back to Bilenge. Along the way, your guide will point out unique plants and features of the mountain forest.
On arrival at the Park Headquarters, meet your boat driver and transfer across Lake Tanganyika to Kasiha Bandas, your base for chimpanzee tracking and lake activities.
Dinner and overnight at Kasiha Bandas.

Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Mahale Mango Tree Bandas

• Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Optional Activities at Kasiha

This day is flexible — rest after the hike or choose from several activities:
Chimpanzee tracking with guides.
Kayaking on the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
Evening walk to Kasiha Water Pool for a refreshing swim in a natural spring.
Dinner and overnight at Kasiha Bandas.

Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Mahale Mango Tree Bandas

• Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee Tracking & Sunset Boat Cruise

After breakfast, head into the forest for chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide, assisted by experienced trackers who follow the chimps’ movements. Spend time observing them in their natural habitat and learning about their behavior, social structures, and daily routines.
Return for lunch and rest at the bandas. In the late afternoon, enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, with stunning views of the Mahale Mountains.
Dinner and overnight at Kasiha Bandas.

Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Mahale Mango Tree Bandas

• Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mahale – Kigoma (Departure)

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Mahale staff and at 08:30 am, take the boat back to Bilenge.
From Bilenge, drive back to Kigoma, passing through villages, farmland, and palm plantations.
On the route, cross via local ferry from Kajeje back to Ilagala before continuing to Kigoma.
Arrival in Kigoma and drop-off at your hotel or onward connection.

Main Destination:

Kigoma (Town)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.