5 Days Mahale Chimpanzees

5 days
Tanzania
Luxury
Private

Four nights on a white beach on Lake Tanganyika, with chimpanzee treks and a lake to swim in.

From US$10,810 per person

Request a free quote See the itinerary

Duration: 5 days · 4 nights
Route: Starts and ends in Arusha
Comfort: Luxury lodges
Group: Private, 1 to 6 travellers
Best time: May to Oct

Overview

Mahale is a forest that comes down to the beach, and it holds one of the largest populations of wild chimpanzees in Africa. There are no roads. You fly across Tanzania, take a dhow along the lake shore, and arrive at a camp of thatched bandas on a white beach.

Mornings are for trekking to find the chimpanzees, which can be steep and hot, and afternoons are for the lake, with kayaks, snorkelling and a swim. It is an adventure and a long journey, and for many travellers the best thing they do in Tanzania.

Highlights

Chimpanzee trekking in the Mahale forest
A white beach on Lake Tanganyika
Kayaking, snorkelling and dhow trips
Four nights at Greystoke Mahale
No roads and very few visitors

Route

Tanzania

StartArusha (Day 1)
Day 1Mahale Mountains National Park
EndArusha (Day 5)

What to expect

Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Pace and fitness
Active, fitness: active.

Activities: Beach & Island Time, Boat Safaris, Canoeing & Kayaking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Hiking & Walking
Getting around: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide

Day by day

Day 1 Fly to Mahale Mahale Mountains National Park

Take the charter flight from Arusha across Tanzania to the shore of Lake Tanganyika, then a dhow along the coast to Greystoke Mahale, arriving in time for a swim and sundowners on the beach.

Travel Charter flight, then a 90 min dhow
Meals Lunch & dinner

Beach & Island Time
Boat Safaris

Overnight

Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.

Day 2 Chimpanzee trekking Mahale Mountains National Park

Set out early with a ranger and trackers into the Mahale forest to find a chimpanzee community, and spend an hour with them. The afternoon is for a swim and a rest.

Travel Trek in the forest
Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Chimpanzee Tracking
Hiking & Walking

Overnight

Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.

Day 3 Chimpanzees or the lake Mahale Mountains National Park

Trek again if the chimpanzees are close, or take a kayak or a dhow out on the lake, with snorkelling off the beach in the afternoon.

Travel Trek or lake day
Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Chimpanzee Tracking
Canoeing & Kayaking
Boat Safaris

Overnight

Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.

Day 4 A lake day Mahale Mountains National Park

Spend the day on the lake with a dhow trip along the shore, a swim and a picnic on the beach, and a last evening around the fire.

Travel Kayak and dhow day
Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Boat Safaris
Canoeing & Kayaking
Beach & Island Time

Overnight

Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.

Day 5 Fly to Arusha Mahale Mountains National Park

Take a dhow along the shore to the airstrip and the charter flight back to Arusha, landing in the afternoon.

Travel Dhow, then a charter flight
Meals Breakfast

Boat Safaris

Where you stay

DaysAccommodation & meals

Days 1 to 4

Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Photos

Chimpanzee watching from the undergrowth

Rates

Important to know

Rates are per person, shown in USD, and do not include international flights to and from your home country.
The price per person depends on how many travellers share the vehicle and guide.

Rates per person

Price per person by number of travellers
Season	Solo	2 people	3 people	4 people	5 people	6 people	7+ people
High season (Jun to Oct)	US$15,470	US$13,110	US$12,323	US$12,323	US$12,323	US$12,323	Get quote
Shoulder season (May, Nov)	US$13,570	US$11,500	US$10,810	US$10,810	US$10,810	US$10,810	Get quote

Deposit to confirm: 30%

Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. The charter flights depend on aircraft availability and will be confirmed when you enquire. Chimpanzee sightings cannot be guaranteed, age limits are set by the park, and anyone who is unwell must not trek.

Rates can change when lodge, permit and park fees are updated, and are confirmed when you enquire.
The order and content of the safari can be adjusted to suit you, and a change may affect the price.
If a lodge is fully booked, we will offer a comparable one.
This safari is subject to our terms and conditions.

Best time to go

Best time for this trip May to Oct

January: possible
February: possible
March: possible
April: possible
May: best
June: best
July: best
August: best
September: best
October: best
November: possible
December: possible

What is included

Included

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
Accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each lodge
Park and chimpanzee trekking permit fees
Park entry fees and all activities in the itinerary
Domestic flights where shown
Bottled water, binoculars and a Tanzania field guide in the vehicle
Airport meet and greet

Not included

International flights and visas
Travel insurance (required)
Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
Premium drinks and personal spending
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Good to know

For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.

Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.

From

US$10,810 pp (USD)

5 days · 4 nightsWhat is included

Request a quote

Your request goes straight to our safari designers
Every date, lodge and activity can be changed
No payment needed to ask

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From US$10,810 pp

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Made to measure

Make this safari your own

Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.

Request a free quote

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5 Days Mahale Chimpanzees