On this 7-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Gombe & Mahale, you will visit the two homes of Tanzania’s chimpanzees: Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park, both located in the western part of Tanzania on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Gombe & Mahale 7-Day Chimpanzee Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha / Dar es Salaam to Gombe National Park
- Day 2-3: Chimpanzee Trekking, Hike, and Waterfalls
- Day 4: Transfer to Mahale Mountains National Park
- Day 5-6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park
- Day 7: End of Chimpanzee Trekking Tour
Detailed Gombe & Mahale 7-Day Chimpanzee Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha / Dar es Salaam to Gombe National Park
You will take a scheduled domestic flight from Arusha / Dar es Salaam to Kigoma.
From there, the tour driver will pick you up and drive you to the Kibirizi port to embark on a boat transfer on Lake Tanganyika to Gombe National Park, a journey that will take approximately 2 hours.
Upon arrival, enjoy your lunch at the lodge/banda and then go on a trek in the forest, valleys, and hills of Gombe in search of the chimpanzees.
Day 2-3: Chimpanzee Trekking, Hike, and Waterfalls
For the next 2 days, you will engage in chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream National Park.
You will have the chance to encounter the chimpanzees of the Mimikere community, an habituated group of chimpanzees, and occasionally spot other primate species like colobus and vervet monkeys, hippos, and birds.
Visit the waterfalls and hike to Jane’s Peak for breathtaking views of the park.
Take some downtime to enjoy the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
You will exit the park by taking a boat ride back to the port and then drive to a hotel in Kigoma town for the night.
Day 4: Transfer to Mahale Mountains National Park
From Kigoma, you will continue your journey southwards, driving to the other home of chimpanzees in Tanzania, Mahale Mountains National Park.
Day 5-6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park
Put on your hiking shoes and venture into the forest to search for the chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains National Park.
Observing these great apes in their natural habitat is a remarkable wildlife experience of a lifetime.
Enjoy your time in the jungle trekking the chimpanzees, and on rare occasions, you might spot elephants, buffalos, zebras, and hippos.
On day 6, you will spend the night in Kigoma town.
Day 7: End of Chimpanzee Trekking Tour
After your breakfast, you will be driven to Kigoma Airfield to catch your domestic flight to Arusha/Dar es Salaam, from where you will proceed to your next destination or take a flight back home.
