Tanzania · Primate Tours

5-Day Mahale Mountains Wildlife Safari with Chimpanzee Trekking

5 Days Round trip from Ilala MC Kipawa Kipunguni Dar es Salaam Region Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Witness close sightings of endangered chimpanzees in Mahale's forest
02 Pass along the dramatic shores of Lake Tanganyika
03 Spot black-and-white colobus, red colobus, and red-tailed monkeys
04 Explore the diverse landscapes of Mahale Mountains National Park

Embark on a 5-day wildlife safari to Mahale Mountains National Park, set among the spectacular forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains along Lake Tanganyika. Explore rainforest, grasslands, alpine bamboo, and woodlands that are home to around 50 animal species and more than 90 unique fish species in the lake's clear waters. The journey's highlight is chimpanzee trekking, where you can spot endangered chimpanzees swinging from tree to tree, along with other primates in this remarkable wilderness.

Embark on a 5-day wildlife safari to Mahale Mountains National Park, set among the spectacular forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains along Lake Tanganyika.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Mahale Mountains National Park

Languages English, French, German, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Kigoma and Ujiji Town Sightseeing

Connect with your tour guide, who will pick you up from your hotel in Dar es Salaam and transfer you to Dar airport for your scheduled flight to Kigoma.
Another tour representative will pick you up from Kigoma Airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Have lunch at the hotel and proceed for a short sightseeing tour of Kigoma and Ujiji Town.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 02

Journey to Mahale Mountains National Park

After breakfast, drive halfway to Sigunga Village, then take a boat to Mahale Mountains National Park and arrive in time for lunch.

Enjoy a forest walk and swimming before dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03

Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale

After breakfast, continue with chimpanzee trekking in the forest. The hikes that take you to the chimps' habitation areas are accessible and not strenuous, although being in good physical condition will make walking through the jungle easier.
Observe the endangered primates.

Meals and overnight at the hotel.

Day 04

Return from Mahale to Kigoma

After breakfast, go back to the camp.
Have a hot lunch, followed by a boat transfer back to Sigunga Village.
On arrival, you will be picked up and driven back to Kigoma town.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 05

Departure from Kigoma

After breakfast in Kigoma, transfer to the airport to board your scheduled flight back to Dar.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Ilala MC Kipawa Kipunguni Dar es Salaam Region 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Shared air charters Arusha/Mahale/Arusha
Four nights' full-board accommodation
Airstrip transfers
Soft drinks and beverages
Laundry
Professional English-speaking Tanzanian tour guide
Camp fees
Chimpanzee tracking, fishing, and boat safari at Mahale
Kayaking or snorkeling in Mahale
Airport tax and aviation safety fee
Park entrance fees

What's Not Included

Medical and luggage insurance
Alcoholic drinks
Telephone bills
Gratuities, tipping, and items of a personal nature

Know before you go

The best time to visit Mahale is during the dry season, which runs from July through late October.
Chimpanzees can also be viewed at other times of the year, but it may require a little more walking.
Access to Mahale is not very frequent, since flights from Arusha to Mahale only depart and arrive twice a week.
November-March: rain, hot and humid conditions - chimps climb higher as the season progresses. They descend again in January/February.
June-early July: the rains settle, chimps are high up, and trekking is tougher.

Logistics