6 Days Gombe & Mahale Chimpanzee Safari

Overview

What makes this journey special

Chimp treks in Gombe and MahaleLake Tanganyika boat transfersBeach camps below the forestRemote western wilderness

Chimpanzee trekking in both of Tanzania’s chimp parks – Jane Goodall’s Gombe and the remote Mahale Mountains – travelling by boat on Lake Tanganyika.

Western Tanzania holds the country’s two chimpanzee parks, both on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, the longest freshwater lake in the world. Gombe Stream is small and steep, home to the communities studied by Jane Goodall since 1960.

Mahale Mountains is larger and far more remote, with forested peaks rising to over 2,400 m straight from white-sand beaches. Around 1,000 chimpanzees live in the park, and the habituated M-group has been followed by researchers since the 1960s.

This journey combines both parks, with two treks in each, lake boat transfers and a light-aircraft link. It suits travellers who want primates and wilderness rather than vehicle-based game viewing.

See the journey

Destinations you will visit on this safari

Gombe Stream National Park Explore destination →

Mahale Mountains National Park Explore destination →

Lake Tanganyika Explore destination →

Day by day

Your itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Kigoma – boat to Gombe

Kigoma · Lake Tanganyika · Gombe

Fly to Kigoma from Dar es Salaam or Arusha. Transfer to the harbour and take the boat north along Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Stream (about 1.5–2 hours). Afternoon walk to the Kakombe waterfall and sunset on the lakeshore.

Gombe campFull board

Day 2

Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe

Gombe Stream National Park

Morning trek with a park ranger to find a chimpanzee community, with up to an hour in their company once found. In the afternoon swim in the lake or climb to Jane’s Peak viewpoint above the valleys.

Chimp trekFull board

Day 3

Gombe – Kigoma – Mahale

Gombe · Kigoma · Mahale

A final morning in Gombe, then the boat back to Kigoma and a light-aircraft flight south to Mahale. A boat meets you at the airstrip for the ride along the shore to your beach camp.

Mahale campFull board

Day 4

Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale

Mahale Mountains National Park

Trek into the forest with your guide and trackers to find the M-group chimpanzees. Paths are steep and walks can last from one to several hours. Afternoon at leisure on the beach or kayaking along the shore.

Chimp trekFull board

Day 5

Second Mahale trek & lake excursion

Mahale · Lake Tanganyika

Another morning with the chimpanzees, or a forest walk for red colobus, red-tailed monkeys and birds. Late-afternoon dhow trip on the lake with a swim in the clear water.

Mahale campFull board

Day 6

Mahale – fly out

Mahale · Kigoma or Arusha

Boat to the airstrip and fly back to Kigoma or Arusha to connect with your onward flight.

Breakfast

Getting there