Overview
The 7-day experience of hidden treasures takes you to the chimpanzees’ homes which are located in the Western parts of Tanzania on the dramatic shores of Lake Tanganyika. You will be able to visit both Mahale and Gombe National Parks in order to have a different chimps experience. You will start off at Gombe before ending up at Mahale.
Arrival
You’ll be collected from the airport.
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
DAY 1; ARUSHA – GOMBE NATIONAL PARK
You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight to Kigoma. On arrival, you will meet your guide who will drive you for 20 minutes to the Kibirizi port for your boat ride to Gombe National Park.
After the 2-hour boat transfer, you will arrive at the park entrance gate where you will be served a hot lunch. You then start your trek to the rolling hills and lush landscapes in search of the chimpanzees with the aid of the chimp trackers.
Later, you will return to your tented camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
DAY 2; GOMBE CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
After an early breakfast, we will make our way to the forest for trekking once again. Walking through forests, up hills, and into valleys, can be tiring and challenging, so come prepared for the trek.
Once we locate a group of chimps, we stop and spend some time with these gentle primates. Watch their world as they groom, feed, and interact with each other in their natural habitat. Coming face-to-face with a group of chimpanzees is one of the most special and rare wildlife encounters on earth!
You will visit different parts of this forest including the waterfalls, Jane’s Peak, and other interesting parts where the chimps are found.
Later, you will descend back to the camp for lunch before spending time at the beautiful beach of Lake Tanganyika.
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
DAY 3; GOMBE MORNING TREK – KIGOMA
After breakfast, we start chimpanzee trekking in different valleys, walking in the forest, and visiting Kakombe Waterfall. At 12h00, you will return for lunch and then pack and transfer to Kigoma town. Arrive in the evening in time for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
DAY 4; KIGOMA – MAHALE MOUNTAINS
You will be picked up from Kigoma and transferred to Mahale Park located 128km south of Kigoma town (east of Lake Tanganyika). It is dominated by the Mahale Mountains. You will arrive in the afternoon and be served a hot lunch while relaxing until dinner. Overnight will be at Mango Tree Bandas.
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
DAY 5; MAHALE MOUNTAIN TREKKING
After breakfast, you will go chimpanzee trekking in the forest. The hike taking you to the chimps’ habitation areas is accessible and not strenuous, although having good fitness levels will ease the strain of walking through the jungle! Observing the endangered primates up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Later, you will head back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
DAY 6; MAHALE MOUNTAINS – KIGOMA
After breakfast, you will go chimpanzee trekking in the forest. The hike taking you to the chimps’ habitation areas is accessible and not strenuous, although having good fitness levels will ease the strain of walking through the jungle! Observing the endangered primates up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Later, you will drive back to Kigoma Town for dinner and overnight.
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
DAY 7; KIGOMA – DAR ES SALAAM
After an early breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for your flight back to Dar Es Salaam or Arusha. This is where your safari will end.
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinks not included
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You’ll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees