5-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Tracking

5-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Tracking

Offered by: USD Safari Tours
4.9/5 (1600 Reviews)
Journey Snapshot
🗺 Tanzania ⏱ 5 days 🚙 4x4 Pop-up Roof
Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)
Discover Mahale Mountains National Park with Kitano Tour and Safaris {"fallbackMarkdown":"Mahale Mountains National Park","reference":{"alt":"Mahale Mountains National Park","category":"point_of_interest","extra_params":{"disambiguation":"Kigoma Region, Tanzania"},"name":"Mahale Mountains National Park","prompt_text":"Mahale Mountains National Park","status":"done","type":"entity"},"referenceKey":"0","showLoginRequiredCard":false} is one of Tanzania's most remarkable and remote safari destinations, best known for its population of wild chimpanzees. Established as a national park in 1985, Mahale covers approximately 1,613 km² and lies about 128 km south of Kigoma, along the eastern shores of the spectacular Lake Tanganyika. The park combines pristine wilderness, lush forest, dramatic mountain landscapes, and crystal-clear lake waters. Its western boundary protects a 1.6-kilometre-wide strip of Lake Tanganyika, creating a unique setting where visitors can experience both incredible wildlife and beautiful lakeside scenery. Mahale is particularly famous for its chimpanzee trekking experiences, offering visitors the opportunity to observe these fascinating primates in their natural forest habitat. Beyond chimpanzees, the park is home to a variety of other wildlife and bird species, making every journey an unforgettable adventure. The land surrounding Mahale also holds deep cultural significance. It is the traditional homeland of the Watongwe and Waholoholo people, whose heritage and connection to the landscape form an important part of the region's identity. With Kitano Tour and Safaris, discover the untouched beauty of Mahale Mountains National Park and experience an extraordinary combination of chimpanzee trekking, wilderness adventure, mountains, and Lake Tanganyika.

Route

Start Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps) (Day 1)
Day 2 Mahale Mountains National Park Chimps Tracking
Day 3 Mahale Mountains National Park Chimp Tracking
Day 4 Mahale to Kigoma
Day 5 Kigoma to Dar-es-Salaam
End Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Tour Features

Day 1 :Dar-es-Salaam - Kigoma - Mahale Mountains National Park Day 2 :Mahale Mountains National Park Chimps Tracking Day 3 :Mahale Mountains National Park Chimp Tracking Day 4 :Mahale to Kigoma Day 5 :Kigoma to Dar-es-Salaam

Activities & Transportation

  • Route: Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)
  • Duration: 5 days
  • Getting around: 4x4 safari vehicle (pop-up roof)
  • Transfers: airport pick-up & drop-off can be included

Accommodation & Meals

Day
Accommodation
Meals
1
Mahale Mango Tree Bandas Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP
Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
2
Mahale Mango Tree Bandas Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP
All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
3
Mahale Mango Tree Bandas Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP
All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
4
Coast View Resort Budget hotel located in Kigoma (Town)
All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
5
No accommodation
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

Day by Day

Day 1 Dar-es-Salaam - Kigoma - Mahale Mountains National Park
Morning 🏨Mahale Mango Tree Bandas Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP 🍽Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
At 4:00 am, you'll be picked up from the hotel in Dar es Salaam and transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight to Kigoma. At 8:15 am, you'll arrive at Kigoma Airport. You'll be picked up on your arrival and transferred to Sigunga village where you will take a boat to Mahale Mountain National Park. You'll have a picnic lunch at Sigunga village before boating to Mahale. The boat will take approximately 3 to 4 hours. You'll arrive in Mahale in the evening, take a room, enjoy the sunset, and swim over Lake Tanganyika. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Mango Bandas.
Day 2 Mahale Mountains National Park Chimps Tracking
Morning 🏨Mahale Mango Tree Bandas Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast at 8:00 am, you'll start chimpanzee tracking in the forest. The hikes take you to the chimp's habitation areas are accessible and not strenuous, although being in good physical condition will ease the strain of walking through the jungle! Up close, observing the endangered primates is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your meals and overnight stay will be at Mango Bandas.
Day 3 Mahale Mountains National Park Chimp Tracking
Morning 🏨Mahale Mango Tree Bandas Budget banda located inside Mahale Mountains NP 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, you will go for chimpanzee tracking. Mahale offers several outstanding attractions for visitors, from tracking wild habituated chimpanzees to mountain climbing. Walking safaris in the beautiful, lowland forest allow close encounters with a vast array of birds and animals, including a group of habituated chimpanzees. The opportunity to track chimps in their natural habitat is Mahale's foremost tourist attraction. In the evening time, you will have time to go swimming and leisure at the beach. Your meals and overnight stay will be at Mango Bandas.
Day 4 Mahale to Kigoma
Morning 🏨Coast View Resort Budget hotel located in Kigoma (Town) 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Breakfast at 7:00 am. Breakfast will be followed by a boat transfer back to Sigunga village. You'll be picked up on arrival and drive back to Kigoma town. You'll have a late lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, you'll visit Dr. Livingstone Memorial Center at Ujiji Village, have dinner, and have an overnight stay in the Coast View Resort Hotel.
Day 5 Kigoma to Dar-es-Salaam
Morning 🏨No accommodation 🍽Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
After breakfast, you'll be picked up and transferred to the airport on time for your flight. The flight departs from Kigoma Airport at 8:40 am. You'll arrive in Dar-es-Salaam around 10:00 am.

Rates

From: $1,778 pp (USD)
Final quote depends on date, travelers and lodge level.

No upcoming group dates found in database (group_climbs).

Inclusions

Included
  • Park fees
  • (For non-residents)
  • Chimp permits
  • (One per person, non-resident)
  • All activities
  • (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation
  • (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation
  • (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All flights during the tour
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals
  • (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks
  • (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Exclusions

Not included
  • International flights
  • (From/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips
  • (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items
  • (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals
  • (As specified in the day-by-day section

Note: Some items may vary depending on season and lodge level.

Getting There

Start: Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

End: Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

We can arrange airport pick-up and drop-off. Ask in your quote request.

Offered By

USD Safari Tours
USD Safari Tours
4.9/5 • 1600 reviews