Tanzania Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
Escape into the jungle on our Tanzania chimpanzee tracking safari package encountering chimps in their natural habitat. Katavi is a true wilderness, providing the few intrepid souls who make it there with a thrilling taste of Africa as it must have been a century ago.
The forested mountain slopes are home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees. Other forest residents include eight other primate species. Each day, you can venture out into the forest to observe them, our closest relatives, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.
We have selected the best accommodation for your stay combined with comfort, elegance, high-end amenities and ambiance topped with serene locations right in the heart of the wilderness.
Cuisine ranges from a la carte menu, five course meals or buffet. As you unwind you can enjoy assorted wines, hard drinks, local and international beer brands. We also cater for special diets [Vegetarian/Vegan meals] on request.
Transport and game drives are facilitated by 4×4 safari vehicles that are customized for the ultimate safariing experience. The jeeps are accessorized with pop up roofs ideal for game viewing, hifi radio communication gadgets and comfortable seats.
While on your Tanzania chimpanzee tracking safari you will enjoy the services of our experienced driver guides who have enormous knowledge on wildlife as well as different sceneries you will be visiting.
The thrill of touring various wildlife gems is an adventure that should be on every tourist’s bucket list. Our classic luxury tour gives you the opportunity to experience first hand the diversity in terms of culture as you socialize with the locals as well as epic game viewing encounters in these premium parks.
Contact us today and embark on the best Tanzania chimpanzee tracking safari package that meets your dream vacation on any budget.
Take a step towards your ideal safari by getting in touch with our personnel. We will assist you with information, what to expect and guide you where necessary so as to achieve your travel goals.
- Nairobi Excursions.
- Mombasa Excursions.
- Hell's Gate Day Trip.
- Lake Nakuru Day Trip.
- Mount Longonot Day Trip.
- Amboseli Camping Safari.
- Masai Mara Camping Safari.
- Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru Budget Safari.
- Climbing Mount Kenya Sirimon Route.
- Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route.
- Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route.
Eight Days Katavi / Mahale Mountain Chimpanzee Tracking Safari. [Itinerary]
Day One: Arusha – Katavi
A representative from Kenya epic safaris will meet you at your hotel or pick you up from the airport and after briefing you you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Katavi national park for the Tanzania chimpanzee tracking safari.
On arrival you will be met at the airstrip and you will be transferred to the Lodge game drive en route. You will be ushered to your respective rooms by the lodge concierge. Enjoy your afternoon utilizing the lodge facilities; spas, saunas, the pool or take a walk on the well manicured lawns as you socialize; later head out for the evening game drive.
The Lodge is situated in the middle of the park, on an elevated point overlooking the vast plains of Katisunga. Herds of animals coming in search of fresh grazing grounds and water provide the perfect view right from your tent.
Tamarind and Acacia trees provide shade and the sunsets behind the distant woodlands surrounding the seasonal lake provide a perfect background to the stunning scenery. Dinner and overnight at Katuma Bush Lodge.
Day Two & Three: Katavi
Spend the next two days exploring Katavi National Park, Tanzania’s third largest national park on morning and afternoon game drives. The park lies in the remote southwest of the country, within a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that terminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa.
Game drives will be conducted around woodland areas and along the seasonal lakes of Chada and Katavi, where most of the game are found including the big cats.
You also have an opportunity to take a walking safari into some of the most spectacular sites in the park, allowing you to enjoy the unique tranquil bliss of being a part of nature together with an armed Ranger Guide. All meals and overnight at Katuma Bush Lodge.
Day Four: Katavi – Mahale Mountains
Morning at leisure before your transfer to Katavi Airstrip with a packed lunch for your short scenic flight to Mahale Mountain National Park located at the banks of Lake Tanganyika.
On arrival Mahale Airstrip our boat takes you to Kungwe Beach Lodge located on a long stretch of Lake Tanganyika’s golden sandy shores beneath magnificent Mahale Mountains. The camp consists of 10 spacious and luxurious tents with en-suite facilities overlooking the crystal clear waters of Tanganyika.
In the afternoon embark on a short Chimpanzee Tracking trip in the forest near the camp. Dinner and overnight at Kungwe Beach Lodge.
Day Five, Six & Seven: Mahale Mountains
For the next three days we will explore Lake Tanganyika and Mahale Mountains. Chimpanzee tracking is the main attraction at Mahale, and is our priority. Tracking usually begins early in the morning, with the Guides usually starting at the area where the Chimpanzees nested the previous night.
Chimp tracking at Mahale mountains can take up to four hours. Chimpanzees move in search of fruits, and are never far away if there’s an abundance of fruits nearby. Other activities include walking on the beach, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Tanganyika.
Also fishing trips to Tanganyika being an angler’s paradise can be arranged with experienced boatmen of the camp. It is also possible to visit local fishing villages close to the park and get first-hand experience of life in a typical African village. All meals and overnight at Kungwe Beach Lodge.
Day Eight: Mahale Mountains – Arusha
Morning at leisure at the beach lodge enjoying your breakfast. Transfer to Mahale Airstrip for your charter flight back to Arusha and tranfer to your hotel where the best Tanzania chimpanzee tracking safari ends.
- Transport in a customized safari jeep with a pop up roof ideal for game viewing .
- Regional return flights.
- Airport transfers.
- All park entrance fees.
- Accommodation on a full board basis subject to availability.
- Game drives and other activities as described in the itinerary.
- Services of an English speaking driver guide.
- Complimentary Bottled water 1 Litre per person per day.
- All government taxes.
- International airfares.
- All expenditure of personal nature such as telephone calls, hard drinks, soft drinks and laundry.
- Tips.
- Visas.
- Travel Insurance.
Know Your Parks
Katavi National Park was created in 1974 and is located in Katavi Region, Tanzania. It is a very remote park that is less frequently visited than other Tanzanian national parks. The park is approximately 4,471 square kilometers and it is the third largest national park in Tanzania. The park encompasses the Katuma River, the seasonal Lake Katavi and Lake Chada floodplains.
Wildlife features include large animal herds, particularly of cape Buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and elephants. Along the Katuma river you will find crocodiles and hippos which upon annual dry seasons results in mudholes that can be packed with hundreds of hippos. Carnivorous animals that roam this park are cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, and lions. Katavi has fewer human visitors and jeeps conducting game drives than other Tanzania parks. The number of visitors to the park on an annual basis is extremely low, in comparison to better known parks in the country.
Mahale Mountains national park lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Uvinza District, Tanzania. The park is named after the Mahale Mountains range that is within its borders, the park has several unusual characteristics. First, it is one of only two protected areas for chimpanzees in the country.
Mahale Mountains national park harbours the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees and due to its size and remoteness, the chimpanzees flourish. It also a place where chimpanzees and lions co-exist. Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot. There are no roads or other infrastructure within the park boundaries, and the only way in and out of the park is via boat on the lake.
The Mahale mountains were traditionally inhabited by the Batongwe and Holoholo people respectively. When the Mahale Mountains Wildlife Research Center was established in 1979, the people were forcefully evicted from the mountains to make way for the park.
- Do not Litter the park/reserve.
- Do not feed the animals, i.e. monkeys or baboons.
- Do give the animals the right of way and do not disturb wildlife.
- Do not take any plant or animals remains, dead or alive.
- Do not start fires or throw cigarettes in the parks/reserve.
- Do stay in your vehicle except at designated viewing points.
- Do not shout, laugh loudly, honk or play loud music as this will keep away the animals.
- Do not provoke any animals; it’s dangerous.