10 Days Western Tanzania Safari – Chimpanzees, Lakes & Untouched Wilderness

Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and assisted with your transfer to a comfortable city hotel. After clearing customs and immigration, settle in and relax after your international journey.

If time allows, enjoy leisure moments at the hotel before an evening Swahili-inspired dinner. This overnight stay provides a gentle introduction to Tanzania and allows you to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead as your Western Tanzania safari begins.

Dar es Salaam – Kigoma

This morning, board a scheduled flight to Kigoma, a historic town on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Upon arrival, explore Ujiji Town, the site of the famous meeting between Dr. David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley.

Continue to the Slave Trade Museum for insight into the region’s cultural and historical significance. Later, enjoy leisure time overlooking the lake, followed by sunset views, dinner, and an overnight stay. Kigoma serves as the cultural gateway to your western circuit safari.

Kigoma – Gombe Stream National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Kiberizi for a private boat journey across Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Stream National Park. Famous for its chimpanzees, Gombe offers forested slopes, pristine beaches, and exceptional biodiversity.

Accompanied by a professional ranger, embark on a guided chimpanzee trekking experience through lush forest trails. Additional activities may include nature walks, swimming, or relaxing along the lakeshore. As the day ends, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay inside the park, surrounded by tranquil forest sounds.

Gombe – Mahale Mountains National Park

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before boarding a traditional boat back to Kigoma. Upon arrival, meet your safari vehicle and begin the adventurous overland journey toward Mahale Mountains National Park, passing through remote villages and rugged countryside.

On arrival at the lakeshore, transfer by boat to your bandas nestled between forested mountains and Lake Tanganyika. Spend the evening at leisure, enjoying the serene surroundings and preparing for the chimpanzee encounters ahead.

Mahale Mountains National Park

Spend two full days exploring Mahale Mountains National Park, home to one of Africa’s largest wild chimpanzee populations. Each morning, set out on guided chimpanzee trekking excursions, hiking through dense montane forests in search of these fascinating primates.

Afternoons are spent at leisure on Lake Tanganyika, with optional boat rides, swimming, or birdwatching along the shoreline. Evenings are reserved for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stays in this peaceful and remote wilderness setting.

 Mahale Mountains – Katavi National Park

After breakfast, board a boat across Lake Tanganyika to Mgambo Village, where your safari vehicle awaits. Begin the scenic drive to Katavi National Park, traveling through remote terrain, open landscapes, and traditional villages.

Arrive in Katavi by late afternoon and head straight into an evening game drive. As golden light spreads across the plains, watch for elephants, buffalo, and predators emerging, offering an exciting introduction to one of Tanzania’s wildest parks.

Katavi National Park

Enjoy two full days of extensive game drives in Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most remote and wildlife-rich destinations. Explore floodplains, river systems, and woodlands that support large populations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and big cats.

With very few visitors, Katavi offers a raw and exclusive safari experience. Each evening, return to your bandas within the park for dinner and relaxation, falling asleep to the sounds of untouched African wilderness.

Katavi – Dar es Salaam (Departure)

After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Mpanda Airport for your scheduled flight back to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, you will be assisted with onward international connections or optional extensions to a beach destination.

This marks the end of your Western Tanzania safari, leaving you with lasting memories of chimpanzees, remote landscapes, and truly wild African experiences.

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)