Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Parks in western Tanzania, bordering Lake Tanganyika, are home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees (chimps). The chimps of Rubondo Island National Park in Lake Victoria were however introduced from European zoos in between 1966–1969 by Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society. Chimpanzees are classed as one of the worlds’s endangered species.
Chimp tracking in the ancient forests is a magical experience. There are no roads in the National Parks of Gombe, Mahale and Rubondo, where you can walk and experience nature with all your senses. All the treks are accompanied by a park guide at all times and governed by strict health, park regulations and code of conduct, to safeguard park visitors and the chimps.
Sharing more than 98% of our genes, chimpanzees are as individually unique as humans. “You will be amazed at how these wild creatures accept you as they go about their everyday activities”… cites the official guide of Gombe Stream National Park. Gombe was made famous by Jane Goodall, who established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in 1977 which supports the Gombe Stream research.
Mahale Mountains National Park alone boasts a population of about 900 chimpanzees, found together with other rain forests animals like the Angolan colobus monkey, red colobus monkeys and other primates.
Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Kigoma
Arrive at Kigoma Airport from Dar es Salaam. Pick up by hotel vehicle and transfer to Kigoma Hilltop for Lunch. After lunch, visit Ujiji Town and Livingstone memorial.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kigoma Hilltop Hotel.
Accommodation: Kigoma Hilltop Hotel
Day 2: Kigoma to Gombe National Park
Breakfast at the hotel before departing to the Lake for a boat to Gombe. Pick up on arrival at Gombe and drive to the camp for hot lunch.afterwards proceed for Chimpanzee tracking in the forest.
Gombe Stream’s main attraction is obviously the chimpanzee families that live protected in the park’s boundaries. Visitors take walks deep into the forest to observe and sit with the extraordinary primates for an entire morning. Apart from chimpanzee viewing, many other species of primates live in Gombe Stream’s tropical forests. Vervet and colobus monkeys, baboons, forest pigs and dik dik inhabit the dense forest and a wide variety of tropical birdlife.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Gombe
Day 3: Gombe National Park
Depart for early Chimpanzee tracking in the forest before breakfast. Swimming and leisure at Lake Tanganyika shore can be well enjoyed. The park’s 200-odd bird species range from the iconic fish eagle to the jewel-like Peter’s twin spots that hop tamely around the visitors’ centre.
Meals and overnight at Luxury Tented Camp.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Gombe
Day 4: Gombe to Mahale National Park
After breakfast, head out to Kigoma by boat then a road transfer to Mgambo. When arrive at Mgambo, you will catch a boat and ride to Mahale for Chimpanzee tracking in the forest. The hikes takes you to the chimps’ habitation areas which 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.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahale
Day 5: Mahale National Park
After breakfast, depart for a full day chimpanzee tracking in the forest. Lunch will be provided and along Lake Tanganyika shore before your way for chimp tracking, forest walks, birding, boat trips, snorkeling, fishing and kayaks.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahale
Day 6: Departure
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast in the morning before check out and prepare for your flight back to Dar es Salaam.
Best Time to Visit: June to October
High Season: June to October (Ruaha rarely experiences crowds)
Best Weather: June to October (Rains are very rare)
- Visa and travel insurance
- Local and international flights
- All drinks except Juice and Water
- Laundry
- Optional activities ex. mountain trekking