Tanzania Chimpanzee Tracking Safari -Dar to Mahale

Early in the morning, you'll fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma. On arrival, you'll be met and greeted by your safari guide. You'll transfer to Lake Tanganyika Hotel for check-in and relaxation. You'll have the opportunity to explore the historical and cultural highlights of Kigoma. Depending on your interests and time, you may visit sites such as the old German railway station, the Ujiji Livingstone Memorial. Your dinner and overnight stay will be in Sunset Vista Hotel Kigoma. Evening storytelling session with your guide to introduce the journey ahead.

You'll depart Kigoma in the morning (7:30–8:00 am) for a 7–8 hour scenic but rough road journey to Mahale Mountains National Park. On the way, you'll cross from Ilagala to Kajeje via local ferry, enjoying views of Lake Tanganyika and surrounding villages. You'll arrive at Bilenge Headquarters for park registration, then take a 30-minute boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. As you approach Kasiha, the forest-clad mountains rise dramatically from the lake—your first breathtaking view of Mahale. You'll check in at Tanapa Bandas, set right on the lake’s edge. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha. In the evening, you'll join your guide for an evening session on Mahale’s history, culture, and conservation.

After breakfast, you'll begin your first guided chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide. You'll track the Mimikire group, one of Africa’s best-habituated chimp communities, deep in the Mahale forest. Treks can last 2–4 hours, depending on the chimps’ movement, but the reward is unforgettable, watching them play, feed, and groom in their natural rainforest home. In the afternoon, you'll have a hot lunch and rest at the bandas or go kayaking on the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. In the evening, you'll walk to Kasiha Water Pool for a refreshing swim in a natural spring. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kasiha Bandas. You'll have an evening storytelling session after dinner.

After breakfast, you'll head into the forest for chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide, assisted by experienced trackers who follow the chimps’ movements. You'll spend time observing them in their natural habitat and learning about their behavior, social structures, and daily routines. You'll return for lunch and rest at the bandas. In the late afternoon, you'll enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, with stunning views of the Mahale Mountains. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kasiha Bandas. Evening storytelling session under the stars.

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Mahale staff and, at 8:30 am, take the boat back to Bilenge. From Bilenge, you will drive back to Kigoma, passing through villages, farmland, and palm plantations. On the route, you will cross via local ferry from Kajeje back to Ilagala before continuing to Kigoma. You'll arrive in Kigoma and be dropped off at Sunset Vista Hotel.

You'll be transferred from your hotel to Kigoma Airport for your flight back to Dar es Salaam, departing at 8:30 am.