DAY 01
Arusha
Arrival
Arrive, transfer, brief, and rest before the journey west.
- Transfer
- Briefing
8 Days
Gorilla Tracking Safari
Tanzania’s chimpanzee forests
Stand among our closest relatives, where the forest keeps its secrets.
A rare primate-focused journey through Tanzania’s western forests — Gombe and Mahale — tracking chimpanzees in the wild.
- Ideal for
- Primate enthusiasts · Off-the-beaten-path travellers · Wildlife photographers · Conservation-minded travellers
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Pricing
- Tailored to your travel style — request your private proposal.
- From price
- From $8,900 pp pp · indicative FX
Journey Highlights
Gombe chimpanzee trekking
Mahale forest walks
Lake Tanganyika shores
Remote, low-volume wilderness
Dhow and lakeshore sunsets
Day by Day
DAY 02
Arusha → Tarangire
Westward
Fly to Kigoma, then by boat to the forest lodges of the west.
- Scenic flight
DAY 03
Tarangire → Ngorongoro
Gombe Forest
Trek into Gombe in the footsteps of Jane Goodall’s research.
- Chimpanzee trek
DAY 04
Ngorongoro → Serengeti
Mahale
Move south along the lake to Mahale’s forested slopes.
- Boat transfer
DAY 05
Serengeti → Kigoma
Mahale Chimpanzees
A full trekking day among Mahale’s habituated families.
- Chimpanzee trek
- Forest picnic
DAY 06
Kigoma → Gombe Stream
Lake Time
A relaxed day on the shore — kayak, snorkel or simply watch the water.
- Optional kayak or snorkel
- Beach relaxation
DAY 07
Gombe → Mahale
One More Forest
A final forest walk before returning to Kigoma.
- Forest walk
- Return boat transfer
DAY 08
Mahale → Kigoma → Onward
Homeward
Fly from Kigoma back to Arusha and connect onward.
- Flight
- Transfer
What’s Included
- Private guide and vehicle
- Park fees and trekking permits
- Light-aircraft and boat transfers
- Full-board accommodation
- Arusha transfers
Not Included
- International flights and visas
- Insurance
- Gratuities
- Personal items
- Premium drinks
Optional Extensions
- Katavi: Add a Katavi safari for a classic bush counterpoint.
Good to Know
· Chimpanzee trekking permits are limited and seasonal; we secure them as early as possible.
· Forest treks involve moderate fitness and can be humid — pace is set by the guides and the chimpanzees.
· Boat transfers on the lake depend on conditions; routings may adjust.
Questions travellers ask
Is this the mountain gorilla?
No — these are chimpanzees, found in the forests of Gombe and Mahale. Mountain gorillas are tracked in Uganda and Rwanda.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate fitness helps; treks follow chimpanzee movement and can be steep or humid, but guides set the pace.
When is the best time to go?
Dry season, roughly June to October, when forest trails are kindest and lake crossings calmest.
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Make This Journey Yours
This is a starting point, not a fixed product. Tell us what to keep, what to change and who is coming — a designer composes the rest.
Make This Journey Yours