Itinerary Summary
Western Circuit Tour in Tanzania to Mahale Mountains is home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees: a population of roughly 800 (only 60 individuals forming what is known as “M group”), habituated to human visitors by a Japanese research project founded in the 1960s. Tracking the chimps of Mahale is a magical experience. The guide’s eyes pick out last night’s nests – shadowy clumps high in a gallery of trees crowding the sky. Scraps of half-eaten fruit and fresh dung become valuable clues, leading deeper into the forest. Butterflies flit in the dappled sunlight.
Set deep in the heart of the African interior, inaccessible by road and only 100km (60 miles) south of where Stanley uttered that immortal greeting “Doctor Livingstone, I presume”, is a scene reminiscent of an Indian Ocean island beach idyll.
Silky white coves hem in the azure waters of Lake Tanganyika, overshadowed by a chain of wild, jungle-draped peaks towering almost 2km above the shore: the remote and mysterious Mahale Mountains.
About Mahale Mountains National Park
Size: 1,613 sq. km (623 sq. miles).
Location: Western Tanzania, bordering Lake Tanganyika.
Getting there
Charter flight from Arusha, Dar or Kigoma.
Charter private or national park motorboat from Kigoma, three to four hours.
Weekly steamer from Kigoma, seven hours, then hire a local fishing boat or arrange with park HQ for pickup in park boat, another one or two hours.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Drive to Mahale Mountain
After breakfast takes Shared Charter from Arusha to Mahale Pick Up on arrival and transfer to the Camp by boat. Lunch at the Camp. Afternoon – Short tracking in the Forest .Dinner and Bonfire at the Camp. Overnight at Nkungwe Luxury Tented Camp. (Full Board)
Day 2: Mahale Chimpanzee Tracking
After breakfast departs for Chimpanzee Tracking in the Forest. Lunch at the Camp. Boat Safari for Bird Watching and Game Viewing. Dinner and Bonfire at the Camp. Overnight at Nkungwe Luxury Tented Camp. (Full Board).
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in the Forest
After breakfast departs for Chimpanzee Tracking in the Forest. Lunch at the Camp. Late Afternoon and Evening Fishing on the Lake. Dinner and Bonfire at the Camp. Overnight at Nkungwe Luxury Tented Camp. (Full Board).
Day 4: Game Drive to Gombe Streams
After breakfast, Transfer to the Lake for Boat departure to Kigoma. Pick Up on arrival and Transfer to Kigoma Hilltop Hotel. Lunch at the Hotel Transfer back to the Lake for Boat departure to Gombe. Dinner and Overnight at Gombe Luxury Tented Camp. (Full Board)
Day 5: Gombe Chimpanzee Tracking in the Forest
After breakfast at the Camp, depart for Chimpanzee Tracking in the Forest; Climb to Kakombe Water Falls if time allows; Dinner and Overnight at Gombe Luxury Tented Camp. (Full Board)
Day 6: Gombe Streams Chimpanzee Tracking in the Fores
After breakfast at the Camp departs for Chimpanzee Tracking in the Forest; Climb to Jane’s Peak if time allows; Dinner and Overnight at Gombe Luxury Tented Camp. (Full Board).
Day 7: Dar es Salaam/ Arusha.
After breakfast, Transfer to the Lake for Boat departure to Kigoma. Pick Up on arrival and Transfer to Kigoma Hilltop Hotel. Lunch at the Hotel Proceed for Sightseeing Tour of Kigoma and Ujiji Town then Transfer to the Airport for Precision Flight to Dar es Salaam. (Full Board)
Campsites In Gombe Stream National Park
Mitumba
Original name: Tented Camp
Location: Mitumba
Capacity / Beds: 8
Owner: Chimpanzee Safaris
Campsites In Katavi National Park
Guesthouse and bandas
Camping sites
For bookings, please contact: Katavi Mountains National Park
E-mail: katavinp@yahoo.com
Tented Camps & Lodges
Chada Camp
Run by Nomad Tanzania Ltd.
P O Box 681. Arusha
T: +255 255 3819
info@nomad.co.tz
Flycatchers Seasonal Camp
Run by Flycatcher Safaris Ltd.
P O Box 591
Arusha
T: +255 27 254 4109
flycat@habari.co.tz
www.flycat.co.tz
Katavi Wildlife Camp
Run by Fox trek Safaris
Katuma Katavi Camp
Run by Chimpanzee Safaris
P O Box 20965
Dar es Salaam
T: +255 22 213 05553
info@chimpanzeesafaris.com
www.chimpanzeesafaris.com
Palahala Luxury Tented Camp
Run by Firelight safaris/Expedition
P O Box 1182
Arusha
T: +255 27 2508773
info@firelightexpeditions.com
www.firelightexpeditions.com
