6-Day Chimpanzee Tracking Safari from Dar to Mahale

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

Dar es Salaam to Kigoma

Early in the morning, you'll fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma. On arrival, you'll be met and greeted by your safari guide.
You'll transfer to Lake Tanganyika Hotel for check-in and relaxation. You'll have the opportunity to explore the historical and cultural highlights of Kigoma. Depending on your interests and time, you may visit sites such as the old German railway station, the Ujiji Livingstone Memorial.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be in Kigoma.
Evening storytelling session with your guide to introduce the journey ahead.

Main Destination:

Kigoma (Town)

Accommodation:

Lake Tanganyika Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Kigoma (Town)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Kigoma – Road Transfer to Mahale Mountains National Park

You'll depart Kigoma in the morning (7:30–8:00 am) for a 7–8 hour scenic but rough road journey to Mahale Mountains National Park. On the way, you'll cross from Ilagala to Kajeje via local ferry, enjoying views of Lake Tanganyika and surrounding villages.

You'll arrive at Bilenge Headquarters for park registration, then take a 30-minute boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. As you approach Kasiha, the forest-clad mountains rise dramatically from the lake—your first breathtaking view of Mahale.

You'll check in at Tanapa Bandas, set right on the lake’s edge. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha. In the evening, you'll join your guide for an evening session on Mahale’s history, culture, and conservation.

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:

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

Chimpanzee Tracking in Mahale Mountains National Park

After breakfast, you'll begin your first guided chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide.
You'll track the Mimikire group, one of Africa’s best-habituated chimp communities, deep in the Mahale forest.

Treks can last 2–4 hours, depending on the chimps’ movement, but the reward is unforgettable, watching them play, feed, and groom in their natural rainforest home.

In the afternoon, you'll have a hot lunch and rest at the bandas or go kayaking on the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
In the evening, you'll walk to Kasiha Water Pool for a refreshing swim in a natural spring.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kasiha Bandas.
You'll have an evening storytelling session after dinner.

Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

TANAPA Mahale Rest House

• Budget guest house located inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Chimpanzee Tracking & Evening Boat Safari

After breakfast, you'll head into the forest for chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide, assisted by experienced trackers who follow the chimps’ movements. You'll spend time observing them in their natural habitat and learning about their behavior, social structures, and daily routines.
You'll return for lunch and rest at the bandas. In the late afternoon, you'll enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, with stunning views of the Mahale Mountains.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kasiha Bandas.
Evening storytelling session under the stars.

Main Destination:

Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

TANAPA Mahale Rest House

• Budget guest house located inside Mahale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mahale – Return to Kigoma

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Mahale staff and, at 8:30 am, take the boat back to Bilenge.
From Bilenge, you will drive back to Kigoma, passing through villages, farmland, and palm plantations.
On the route, you will cross via local ferry from Kajeje back to Ilagala before continuing to Kigoma.
You'll arrive in Kigoma and be dropped off at Lake Tanganyika Hotel.

Main Destination:

Kigoma (Town)

Accommodation:

Lake Tanganyika Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Kigoma (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Kigoma – Flight to Dar es Salaam

You'll be transferred from your hotel to Kigoma Airport for your flight back to Dar es Salaam, departing at 8:30 am.

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.