6-Day Tanzania Mahale Mountains Chimpanzee Safari
Track chimpanzees on Lake Tanganyika's forested mountain shore, reached only by air and boat.
Go beyond the expected.
One of Africa's most remote wildlife destinations. Mahale Mountains National Park sits on the shore of Lake Tanganyika and has no roads. Visitors arrive by light aircraft and boat, stay in small camps beside the lake and track chimpanzees on foot in the forest.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Mahale Mountains National Park
- Stay on the shore of Lake Tanganyika
- Swimming, snorkelling and kayaking in clear water
- Small camps and very few visitors
- Forest walks with experienced trackers
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Guided activities as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
- Light-aircraft flights and boat transfers to Mahale
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
Arusha
Arrive and transfer to your accommodation, with time to rest and meet your guide for a briefing on the days ahead.
Day 2 Fly to Mahale
Mahale Mountains National Park
Fly by scheduled and charter aircraft to the Mahale area, then take a boat along the lake shore to your camp on the beach.
Day 3 Chimpanzee tracking
Mahale Mountains National Park
Set off early with trackers to find a chimpanzee community in the forest. Time spent with the chimpanzees is limited by park rules, and the walking can be steep and humid.
Day 4 Second day with the chimpanzees
Mahale Mountains National Park
A second tracking day, or a day for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking on the lake, depending on your energy and where the chimpanzees are.
Day 5 Return to Arusha
Mahale Mountains National Park
Take the boat and flights back to Arusha, with an overnight in the city.
Day 6 Return and departure
Arusha
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
On this safari
Places you will visit
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Questions about 6-Day Tanzania Mahale Mountains Chimpanzee Safari
Can I combine a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, this is one of the most popular East African combinations — a Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari followed by several days on Zanzibar’s beaches, connected by a short flight.
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
Most nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
How many national parks does Tanzania have?
Tanzania protects its landscapes across more than twenty national parks, alongside conservation areas and game reserves that together cover roughly a third of the country’s total area — one of the highest proportions of protected land of any country in the world.
Is climbing Kilimanjaro part of a normal safari?
Kilimanjaro is usually planned as its own multi-day trek (typically 6–9 days depending on route) either before or after a separate safari itinerary, rather than combined into the same days, since it requires its own acclimatisation schedule.
Is Tanzania or Kenya better for a first safari?
Both offer excellent safaris across largely the same ecosystem, and the choice often comes down to which side of the Serengeti-Mara border better fits your dates and interests — we’re happy to talk through the trade-offs for your specific safari.
What is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
The Serengeti has strong wildlife viewing year-round, but timing depends on what you want to see: the calving season is roughly January–March in the southern plains, and the dramatic river crossings typically happen around June–September in the north as the migration moves toward Kenya.