8 days Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Tanzania

This 8 days Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Tanzania is a perfect safari combination to see chimpanzees up close in western Tanzania. Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania can be done throughout the year. But it is best enjoyed during the dry season between May to October. During this time, the terrain in the forests is accessible. the vegetation is short.

Gombe Stream national park is the famous place where Jane Goodall did her research on chimpanzee populations. It is located on the western border of Tanzania and the Congo. and has 35 km² of protected land along the hills of the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Mahale Mountains national park is located close by, south of the city of Kigoma. It is the only place where chimpanzees and lions co-exist.

This private safari offers you the flexibility to travel at your own pace, exactly the way you like it. You will have a private safari vehicle and guide. Below is the summary itinerary for 8 days Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Tanzania itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival Dar Es Salaam – Hotel

Upon arrival at Dar Es Salaam airport, you will meet your guide. This will take you to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure, you can relax and enjoy the African atmosphere. Your personal and experienced guide not only knows a lot about the Tanzanian culture but can also tell you a lot about the beautiful national parks and sights of the country. So don’t be afraid to ask your guide questions – he will be happy to answer them all.

This trip is an exclusive private safari so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest! You can decide for yourself when to leave in the morning and when to return in the evening. You can also observe a specific animal or herd for as long as you like during the safari. You don’t have to be considerate of anyone. Your personal guide will advise you during the safari so that your trip will be an unforgettable experience.

Tomorrow morning your safari will begin!

Accommodation: Serena Hotel

Day 2: Flight to Kigoma

Today you will fly from Dar Es Salaam to Kigoma. Your driver will wait for you at the airport and bring you to your hotel in Kigoma. ( scheduled for Monday or Thursday)

Today you can choose between the following activities:

Kigoma city tour

• Visit the historical town Ujiji (Dr. Livingstone Memorial & Museum)
• Visit the village Mwamgongo
• Kayaking on the lake
• motor boat tour on the lake

Accommodation: Kigoma Hilltop Hotel

Day 3+4: Gombe Stream national park

Today your guide will bring you to Gombe Stream national park. It is only a 30-minute drive and a 1.5-hour boat ride to the park.

Gombe is a famous place for those who want to see chimpanzees off the beaten track. You can take a guided hike into the forest to see chimpanzees in the wild. The area has steep valleys and the forest vegetation ranges from grassland to forest and tropical rainforest.

The Gombe Stream national park is the place where Jane Goodall did her research on chimpanzee populations. Step into her footsteps while you walk through the forest on the lookout for a chimpanzee family.

Once you found the chimpanzees you are allowed to observe their daily habits, watch the youngsters play and mothers nurse their babies. Enjoy this rare and intimate glimpse into chimpanzee society!

Besides chimpanzees, primates inhabiting Gombe Stream national park include beachcomber olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys also hybridize in the area. And the park is home to over 200 bird species and bushpigs. You can spot many species of reptiles and even occasionally hippos and leopards.

Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Gombe Forest Lodge

Day 5+6: Mahale Mountains national park

On day 5 you will take a 2.5 hours drive and boat ride to Mahale mountains national park. It is a bit larger than its northerly neighbor Gombe and also home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, a population of roughly 900.

You will spend some time during your hikes through the Mahale mountains national park searching for the chimpanzees. The hikes are led by knowledgeable and experienced guides. Once you meet a resident chimpanzee group, you have time to observe them.  The chimpanzees are habituated to human visitors and not shy. Meeting them is a once-in-a-lifetime, magical experience!

Other activities:

• Kayaking
• Boat cruise
• Mountain climbing to Kungwe peak (another day is needed)

Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Mahali Lodge

Day 7: Drive to Kigoma

After a nice morning hike through the Mahale Mountains, your guide will bring you to Kigoma. You will spend the night there to take the flight back to Dar Es Salaam the following morning.

Accommodation: Kigoma Hilltop Hotel

Day 8: Kigoma – airport – home

Today you fly from Kigoma to the international airport for your connecting departure flight and on day 9 you will arrive back home.

You like to extend your safari to visit more national parks or with a beach holiday? Tanzania offers perfect paradises to unwind after your safari, such as Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.

This price includes:

• Pickup at Dar Es Salaam Airport and transfer to the lodge
• Accommodations
• Game drives through the mentioned national park
• Luxurious private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and big windows, specially designed for high-end safari game drives
• English-speaking private guide during the whole safari
• Park fees for all mentioned national parks
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your safari (full board)
• 24/7 service from our local office in Tanzania
• Reservation costs
• Drinking water in our safari vehicle
• mentioned inland flights

This price excludes:

• International flight tickets and visa
• Travel Insurance 
• Personal Items

Why book this 8 days Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Tanzania through Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris has positioned itself as one of the leading tour operators offering authentic and value for money to Tanzania. We endeavor to provide accurate and timely information that you can rely on to organize Summer Holiday Wildebeest Migration Safaris in Africa. Our staff is always on standby to assist you with all the arrangements, and if you need more information about our service, please visit our website for more information and options for safaris to Tanzania.