NWS RAW - Tailor-made

Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

Journey to the remote shorelines of Lake Tanganyika to explore the forests of Mahale Mountains National Park, accessible only by boat and home to approximately 1,000 chimpanzees. From here, head to Gombe Stream National Park, the smallest national park in Tanzania and the site of Jane Goodall's world-famous research centre.

Duration 8 days
Price From $6,304
When Jun - Feb
Destination Tanzania
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An 8-day NWS RAW safari tracking the chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream - from $6,304 per person sharing excluding international flights.

Safari Overview

Follow in the footsteps of primatologist Jane Goodall on this immersive safari tracking the chimpanzees of western Tanzania. Head to the shores of Lake Tanganyika where you will explore the remote rainforests of Mahale Mountains National Park, home to one of the largest populations of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Spend time observing these fascinating primates in their natural habitat before travelling to Gombe Stream, the smallest national park in Tanzania and home to Jane Goodall’s world-renowned research centre. Established in 1965, the ground-breaking research on chimpanzee behaviour conducted at this centre is still ongoing, and has been a key factor in protecting the chimps that call this forest home. 

What makes this trip extraordinary?

  • Track the habituated chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains National Park.
  • Stay in comfortable camps on the sandy shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world. 
  • Discover the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park, the subjects of Jane Goodall's research.
  • Learn about chimpanzee behaviour and social structure from expert guides.
Experience up-close Encounters with the habituated chimpanzees of Mahale and Gombe Stream national parks.
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What is NWS RAW?

Remote. Authentic. Wild.

The latest addition to our NWS Select service, NWS RAW safaris take you outside of the norm, revealing a different side to oft-visited countries. These pioneering expeditions are designed for the seasoned traveller who yearns for new experiences, who favours discovery over tourist traps, and who is willing to go the extra mile in order to truly explore and understand their next destination. NWS RAW is for the intrepid, the boundary-pushers, and those for whom travel is more than just a holiday.

Discover our NWS RAW safaris

Day by day

Day 1

Arusha - Mahale

Today you will fly into Arusha Airport, where you will be met and assisted onto your flight to Mahale Airstrip. From here, you will be transferred by dhow to Kungwe Beach Lodge on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Time permitting, you may wish to head into Mahale Mountains National Park for your first chimpanzee trek or forest hike, before returning to your lodge for sundowners in the evening.

Overnight: Kungwe Beach Lodge L, D

Days 2-3

Mahale Mountains National Park

Spend the next few days exploring Mahale Mountains National Park. Accessible only by boat, the remote rainforests of Mahale border the white sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika and are home to the largest population of chimpanzees in Tanzania, with approximately 1,000 individuals. In the mornings, you will head into the park with your expert guide in search of the chimpanzees, watching them fighting, grooming and taking are of their young. Many of the chimpanzees in the park are habituated to humans, allowing for some close-range encounters. In the afternoons you will return to the lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying a boat safari or kayaking along the lakeshore, and relaxing with a sundowner overlooking the lake.

Overnight: Kungwe Beach Lodge B, L, D

Day 4

Mahale - Kigoma - Gombe

After breakfast this morning you will be transferred by boat back to Mahale Airstrip for your flight to Kigoma. Upon arrival you will be take another dhow boat ride along Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Forest Lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you may have your first opportunity to explore Gombe Stream National Park on an evening chimpanzee trek or forest walk.

Overnight: Gombe Forest Lodge B, L, D

Days 5-6

Gombe Stream National Park

You will have two full days to discover the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park. Gombe Stream is the smallest national park in Tanzania, forming a small strip of ancient forest along the shore of Lake Tanganyika, and was made world-famous through the work of Jane Goodall, who established her research centre in the park in 1965. Despite its' small size, Gombe Stream hosts a remarkable diversity of primate species, including olive baboons, red-tailed colobus and vervet monkeys, as well as the habituated chimpanzees. You will have two morning treks to observe the chimpanzees in the park, with afternoons free for you to explore the lakeside and surrounding areas. Head out on a boat safari where you are likely to encounter crocodiles, hippos and an abundance of birdlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and sundowners in the evenings.

Overnight: Gombe Forest Lodge B, L, D

Day 7

Gombe - Kigoma

After breakfast this morning you will board a dhow back to Kigoma in time for lunch at Kigoma Hilltop Hotel, where you will spend your final night in Tanzania. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or the hotels private beach.

Day 8

Kigoma - Arusha

Today you will transfer to Kigoma Airport for your flight back to Arusha, in time for your international flight home.

Trip Details

Dates and Prices

This is a tailor-made safari and can be amended to meet your specific requirements including preferred number of days, preferred dates of travel, standard of lodges and budget.

About Tailor-made Safaris

A tailor-made safaris is one designed specifically for you, around your taste, budget, people travelling, interests and more. This itinerary is just an example and can be refined and changed to make it perfect for you

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Suggested Safari Accommodation

Your Next Steps

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