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Chimpanzee Adventure at Gombe, Mahale Mountains, and Katavi National Park

10 Days | 9 Nights

From $3,190/ person 

Your trip overview

Prepare for a 10-day safari like no other, where you’ll explore some of Tanzania’s most remote and pristine wildlife destinations. Your journey begins in Dar es Salaam, where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay before flying to Kigoma, the gateway to the wild wonders of Gombe Stream National Park.

Here, you’ll embark on a boat ride that will take you through Gombe and the stunning Mahale Mountains, two of the most famous parks in Tanzania, known for their incredible populations of chimpanzees.

These parks are a paradise for primate lovers, offering intimate chimpanzee tracking experiences in their natural habitats, where you’ll witness their fascinating behavior and interactions. 

Along with chimpanzees, these lush, tropical forests are home to vibrant bird species, colorful butterflies, and other wildlife, creating a truly magical atmosphere.Next, head to Katavi National Park, where you’ll discover spectacular wildlife sightings, from herds of elephants and buffaloes to big cats such as lions and leopards. The park’s stunning landscapes, with its swamps, savannas, and woodlands, provide an exotic and peaceful setting for your safari.

This exceptional itinerary blends primate tracking, wildlife encounters, and stunning natural landscapes, giving you a chance to experience Tanzania’s biodiversity at its best. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or simply seeking tranquility in the wild, this journey promises a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable moments.

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Picture of Planning Your Safari

Planning Your Safari

Organizing a safari in Tanzania, can be overwhelming due to the many choices available for transport, accommodation, and activities.

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival at Dar es Salaam Int Airport

You will be picked up from Dar es Salaam International Airport and transferred to the city hotel.

Assume you arrived with early morning flights, and after clearing customs and passport control at Dar es Salaam International Airport, you will walk out of the airport to meet our driver who will be holding a page board with your name printed on it. You’ll enjoy a Swahili Cuisine dinner, and an overnight stay at a Dar es Salaam city hotel.

Accommodation: Harbour View Suites

Where to stay

Day 2: Dar es Salaam to Gombe National Park via Kigoma

You will be picked up early in the morning from the hotel and transferred to Dar es Salaam Airport for departure to Kigoma.

You will be meet by your driver guide on arrival, and continue with ground transport to Kiberizi for a boat trip (dhow).
Where you will be departing with Tanapa private boat ride Gombe National Park “Chimps Paradise” for the rest of the day trekking and nature walking with a ranger.
Lunch, leisure, sunset, dinner, and your overnight stay will be at Tanapa Banda Cottages.

Accommodation: TANAPA Gombe Rest House

Where to stay

Day 3: Gombe National Park

This will be a beautiful day in Gombe when you will be enjoying breakfast. Then, you’ll depart for a full day at Gombe National Park with chimpanzee trekking, snorkeling, and hiking as well as swimming, sunset, and leisure. Lunch, leisure, sunset, dinner, and your overnight stay will be at Tanapa Bandas, Cottages.

Accommodation: TANAPA Gombe Rest House

Where to stay

Day 4: Gombe to Mahale Mountains National Park

After breakfast at leisure in Gombe National Park, you will be boarding your dhow boat for a return to Kigoma, where your safari car was packed.

You will collect a packed lunch and drive to Mahale Mountain National Park via local villages Ilagala, Sigunga, and Logosa, to Mgambo through bumps, and rough and dusty roads. You’ll meet a team from the park for a boat transfer (about a 25-minute ride) to Mahale Bandas. The evening will be spent at leisure or on a walking and trekking experience.

Accommodation: Mahale Mango Tree Bandas

Where to stay

Day 5: Mahale Mountains National Park

You will have an early morning breakfast. Then you will be departing for a full day of chimpanzee trekking and climbing in the forest with a ranger. Later, you will return to the bandas for lunch.
You will spend the afternoon game viewing by boat on the lake. You will enjoy bird watching and the sunset while at Lake Tanganyika.

Accommodation: Mahale Mango Tree Bandas

Where to stay

Day 6: Mahale Mountain to Katavi National Park

After breakfast at leisure in Mahale National Park, you will transfer by boat to Mgambo village, where your safari car was packed. You will meet the driver and continue to Katavi National Park through highlands, bumps, and rough and dusty roads. You will arrival for an evening game drive and sunset at Katavi National Park.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Day 7: Katavi National Park

After breakfast, you will depart for a full-day game drive at the home of a huge population of hippos and varied birdlife. The lonely, untrammeled, and infrequently visited, Katavi is a true wilderness, providing the few intrepid souls who make it there with a thrilling taste of Africa as if it must have been a century ago. Leisure, sunset, dinner, and your overnight stay will be at Katavi National Park.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Day 8: Katavi National Park

This will be another stunning day in Katavi. After breakfast, you will be guided for a full-day game drive in Katavi.
Katavi is one of Tanzanian’s best dry-season parks, little -visited with big pride of lions plundering spectacular buffalo herds. The park is one of the most pristine and rugged nature reserves in Tanzania.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Day 9: Katavi Park to Mbeya City

On this day, you will be enjoying a farewell breakfast at Katavi National Park. Then, you’ll drive to Mbeya with short stops for lunch at local restaurants. En route, you will have exciting village tours and landscape viewing via the Tunduma border, and continue to the Mbozi Meteorite Site.

Main Destination: Mbeya (City)

Accommodation: Hill View Hotel

Where to stay

Day 10: Mbeya to Dar es Salaam

No rush on this day. You will enjoy breakfast at leisure. Then, you will be transferred to Mbeya Airport for return to Dar es Salaam through the sky. You will be met and assisted with international connections for your journey back home or to a beach destination.

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Rates Per Person

Start Dates 2 people 1 room 3 people 2 rooms 4 people 2 rooms 5 people 3 rooms 6 people 3 rooms
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025
$4,395
$3,850
$3,520
$3,421
$3,190

Safari/Trip

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

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

Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Drinking water

Exclusions

International flights (From/to home)

Roundtrip airport transfer

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

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