Western Tanzania

Western Circuit

Mahale, Gombe and Katavi – chimpanzees, Lake Tanganyika shores and Tanzania's deepest bush.

Forests, lakes and remote floodplains

Tanzania's untamed west

Track chimps in misty Mahale and Gombe forests, cruise Lake Tanganyika's crystal shore, then lose yourself in Katavi's hippo-packed wilderness – far from the beaten track.

  • Habituated chimpanzee trekking in Mahale & Gombe
  • Lake Tanganyika beaches and dhow sunsets
  • Katavi's dry-season hippo and buffalo concentrations
  • Rubondo Island forest birding and fishing
20 Destinations
Kigoma Region
May–Oct Best Season

Western Tanzania

All Destinations

Browse every stop on the western circuit – each with its own gallery, highlights and travel details.

Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park

Chimp Trekking

Gombe Stream National Park

Track habituated chimpanzee families through pristine forest.

Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park

Wildlife

Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale is located in the Western Tanzania to the South of Kigoma town, i…

Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park

Hippo Pools

Katavi National Park

Hundreds of hippos crowding Katuma River pools in dry season.

Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park

Forest Island

Rubondo Island National Park

80% forest cover on a Lake Victoria island paradise.

Saanane Island National Park
Saanane Island National Park
Saanane Island National Park

Smallest Park

Saanane Island National Park

Tanzania's most compact national park – ideal day trip.

Burigi-Chato National Park
Burigi-Chato National Park
Burigi-Chato National Park

Remote Wilderness

Burigi-Chato National Park

One of Tanzania's least-explored national parks.

Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park

Scenic Hills

Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park

Rolling highland landscapes in Tanzania's far west.

Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika

Wildlife

Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest (660km), deepest in Africa and se…

Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria

Africa's Largest

Lake Victoria

The continent's greatest freshwater lake by surface area.

Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park

Coastal wilderness

Saadani National Park

The only Tanzanian national park where wildlife roams to the beach.

Usambara Mountains
Usambara Mountains
Usambara Mountains

Wildlife

Usambara Mountains

The Usambara's are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain which mountai…

Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo

Experience

Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo, is a historic coastal town founded at the end of the 18th cent…

Kilwa Kisiwani
Kilwa Kisiwani
Kilwa Kisiwani

Experience

Kilwa Kisiwani

Situated off the coast of Tanzania, the island of Kilwa Kisiwani (“isle …

Kilwa
Kilwa
Kilwa

Experience

Kilwa

Kilwa is one of six administrative districts of Lindi Region in Tanzania…

Songo Mnara
Songo Mnara
Songo Mnara

Experience

Songo Mnara

Jagged walls of stone and coral rising up amidst coconut palms and baoba…

Pangani
Pangani
Pangani

Experience

Pangani

Pangani is situated about 50km south of Tanga on the mouth of River Pang…

Tongoni Ruins, Tanga
Tongoni Ruins, Tanga
Tongoni Ruins, Tanga

Experience

Tongoni Ruins, Tanga

Tongoni Ruins are situated 21km South of Tanga City along Tanga – Pangan…

Jibondo & Bwejuu Islands
Jibondo & Bwejuu Islands
Jibondo & Bwejuu Islands

Bwejuu Island, Mafia

Jibondo & Bwejuu Islands

Bwejuu Island is considered the most beautiful island in the archipelago…

Mafia Island
Mafia Island
Mafia Island

Mafia Island Marine Park

Mafia Island

The marine park at Mafia Island extends over 822 km², with more than 75%…