Western Tanzania is the least visited part of Tanzania but perhaps the most interesting for travellers with a sense of adventure. Western Tanzania is also where you can see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. There are two parks you can see chimpanzees (see below) but note that children under 12 are usually not allowed to track these primates.

 The Parks

Gombe Stream National Park

The smallest of all Tanzania’s National Parks, measuring 52 sq kilometres, Gombe Stream is a thin strip of ancient forest set in the mountains and steep valleys on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, made famous by the pioneering British researcher Jane Goodall, who spent many years observing the park’s chimpanzees. The chimpanzees are the main attraction at Gombe Stream, these remarkable mammals are as individually unique as humans and the opportunity to observe them going about their daily lives in their natural habitat is certainly an experience not to be missed. Although the majority of wildlife to be found at Gombe Stream is primates, in addition to the famous chimpanzees, you may see olive baboons as well as vervet, blue and red-tail monkeys. Leopard and bushbuck are also residents in the dense forest, along with fish eagles and palm-nut vultures that are often seen flying overhead. Gombe Stream is the perfect place for a walking safari, allowing you to cool off along the way with a dip in one of the many streams that criss-cross the park.

 Mahale Mountains National Park

Set deep in the heart of the African interior, inaccessible by road, Mahale Mountains, like its northerly neighbour Gombe Stream, is home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees: a population of roughly 800, habituated to human visitors by a Japanese research project founded in the 1960s. Trekking the chimps of Mahale is a magical experience. The area of 1,613 sq kilometres is also known as Nkungwe, after the park's largest mountain, held sacred by the local Tongwe people, and at 2,460 metres (8,069 ft) the highest of the six prominent points that make up the Mahale Range. And while chimpanzees are the star attraction, the slopes support a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and a kaleidoscopic array of colourful forest birds. You can trace the Tongwe people's ancient pilgrimage to the mountain spirits, hiking through the mountain rainforest belt – home to an endemic race of Angola colobus monkey - to high grassy ridges chequered with alpine bamboo. Then bathe in the impossibly clear waters of the world’s longest, second-deepest and least-polluted freshwater lake – harbouring an estimated 1,000 fish species - before returning as you came, by boat.

 Itinerary 

Day 1: 

Depart from Europe to Dar-es-Salaam where you will be met by our representative and transferred to HOLIDAY INN for overnight and breakfast. 

Day 2: 

After breakfast you will be met by your driver for the transfer to Dar-es-Salaam Airport for your domestic flight to Kigoma. The flight takes 2 ¼ hours and on arrival at Kigoma, you will be met by our representative who will be holding a sign with your names on it. He will transfer you to KIGOMA HILL TOP HOTEL. You will have the afternoon at leisure with dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: 

After an early breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to Lake Tanganyika for the boat transfer to Gombe Stream National Park. Gombe Stream National Park extends over mountainous terrain climbing from the shores of Lake Tanganyika to the top of the rift escarpment. Your safari begins at Kigoma Town with a boat journey, passing through fishing villages and scenic hills before reaching the park. The boat ride on Tanzania’s largest lake and second deepest in the world, takes 45 minutes (weather dependant). On arrival you will be taken to GOMBE FOREST LODGE where you will be welcomed by the friendly staff and checked into your accommodation. After a mouth watering lunch, the chimp trekking will commence in the afternoon. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: 

After a delicious breakfast, the camps guides will assist you to explore the diversity of Gombe Stream National Park and you will have the day full activities; including chimpanzee trekking, visiting waterfalls and reaching what is known as Jane’s peak to get beautiful views across the Lake. The trek can take from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the location of the troop of chimpanzees. The groups go up with a maximum of 6 people per group and participants must wear masks.

Day 5: 

Alas, the final day of your trip has arrived. After breakfast you will be transferred back to Kigoma Hill Top Hotel by boat. There you will enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, en route to the airport you will have time to explore the historic town of Kigoma home to the “Ha” trip and famous for its dagaa fishing and palm oil, as well as being the place where an emissary was sent to trace the whereabouts of the great Dr Livingstone. Your return flight from Kigoma will take you to Dar-es-Salaam where it will be the end of our services.

End of arrangements with Adams & Butler.

Planning your safari holiday with Adams & Butler ensures a truly personal and intimate experience - a totally hassle free process from beginning to end.