CHIMPANZEE SAFARIS on LAKE TANGANYIKA

East Africa offers the finest primate viewing opportunities in Africa. There are habituated troops of chimpanzees at Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream in Tanzania and habituated groups of mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.
Neither Mahale or Gombe are easy to reach and both are relatively expensive safari choices, however the experience of tracking chimpanzees truly in the heart of Africa is very hard to put a price on. For those with the budget a chimpanzee safari is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have in Tanzania and the stunning location of Mahale Mountains N.P. is worth the journey in itself.

CHIMPANZEES

Chimpanzees are man’s closest relatives and tracking these primates from the shores of Lake Tanganyika is a memorable experience. Mahale Mountains National Park offers some of the most picturesque scenery in Tanzania and a variety of fairytale activities. Far removed from any form of civilization this is the real heart of Africa, relaxing on a beach watching dhows sailing past on the clear water then seeing the green expanse of mountains looming high overhead it is difficult to find your bearings.
Tracking the chimpanzees is exciting, patience sapping, exhilarating, tiring, emotionally draining and ultimately extremely rewarding. The chimpanzees move so to find them you do literally have to track them, take time to appreciate the sounds of the forest and this unique environment then pinch yourself when you return home to believe it was all real. Highly recommended.

In 2006the introduction of shared charter flights from Arusha to Mahale and Katavi make Mahale Mountains more accessable than ever before, flights depart on Tuesdays and Fridays.

CHIMPANZEE PHOTO GALLERY - MAHALE MOUNTAINS

WEST TANZANIA TRAVEL ARTICLE

RECOMMENDED ITINERARY - POSSIBLY THE BEST SAFARI IN AFRICA!

To maximise your time in west Tanzania combining a safari in Katavi, chimpanzee tracking in Mahale, then relaxation on Lupita Island on Lake Tanganyika is a highly recommended combination.

Day 1 Thurs Fly Arusha-Katavi, o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 2. Fri Game drives and optional walking safari in Katavi N.P., o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 3. Sat Game drives and optional walking safari in Katavi N.P., o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 4. Sun Game drives and optional walking safari in Katavi N.P., o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 5. Mon Fly Katavi-Mahale, boat transfer to Mahale Mountains N.P., , o/n Nkungwe Tented Camp

Day 6 Tues Chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, dhow trips, snorkeling, o/n Nkungwe Tented Camp

Day 7 Wed Chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, dhow trips, snorkeling, o/n Nkungwe Tented Camp

Day 8 Thurs Fly Mahale-Kipili, boat transfer to Lupita Island Spa or Lakeshore Lodge

Day 9.Fri Relax at Lupita Island, fishing, spa, snorkelling, boat cruises, o/n Lupita Island or Lakeshore Lodge

Day 10. Sat Relax at Lupita Island, fishing, spa, snorkelling, boat cruises, o/n Lupita Island or Lakeshore Lodge

Day 11. Sun Relax at Lupita Island, fishing, spa, snorkelling, boat cruises, o/n Lupita Island or Lakeshore Lodge

Day 12. Mon Fly Kipili to Arusha

Please ask for prices

GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK

Gombe Stream National Park is 16km of Kigoma Town in Western Tanzania. The park occupies 52sq/km of land. It is the smallest National Park in Tanzania. Gombe was gazetted in 1945. It was made famous by British researcher Jane Goodall and was granted National Park status in 1969.

The beauty of Gombe National Park is unique. It is a park without roads where you can walk and experience nature with all your senses. All Game Viewing at the Park is done on foot. The biggest attraction of the Park is the highly habituated chimpanzees but there is a large number of Olive Baboons and different species of Monkeys such as Red Colobus, Blue monkeys etc. The Park has roughly 100 – 150 Chimpanzees. The birdlife is extraordinary and more than 200 species of birds have been recorded at the Park.

Be warned that Gombe charges the highest fees of any park anywhere in Africa but nothing can prepare you for an encounter with chimps.

The best times to visit is during the dry season which is between May to October and during the short rains of January and February.
The park can be visited as a day trip from Kigoma by speedboat or it is also possible to spend the night there at Gombe Luxury Tented Camp, please ask for details.