English
FrenchSafari Tour: Tanzania Chimpanzee Tracking Safari from Dar es Salaam to Mahale - Tanzania Safari Tour
6-Day Tanzania Safari Tour by BAHATI SAFARIS
Offered by - BAHATI SAFARIS
Tour Features
Experience a truly unique wildlife adventure on this unforgettable chimpanzee tracking safari from Dar es Salaam to the remote and breathtaking Mahale Mountains National Park. This journey takes you to the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, one of Africa’s most pristine and least visited wilderness areas. Your safari begins in Dar es Salaam, with scenic travel to Mahale, where dense forests meet crystal-clear waters. Mahale is home to one of the largest protected populations of wild chimpanzees in Africa. Accompanied by experienced local guides and trackers, you will venture deep into the forest to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat, witnessing their social behavior, communication, and daily routines at close range. Beyond chimpanzee tracking, this safari offers peaceful nature walks, breathtaking views of the Mahale Mountains, and time to relax along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The area is also rich in birdlife and other wildlife, creating a perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. Enjoy comfortable Bandas accommodation, personalized service, and expertly guided experiences throughout your journey. Best Time: June–December ( ideal for tracking).
| Budget tour | This budget tour includes camping and tented camps. |
| Cannot be customized | The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed. |
| Private tour | This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others. |
| Solo travel available | Solo travelers can book this tour. |
| Scheduled departures | This tour starts on fixed start dates only. |
| Minimum age required | The minimum age for this tour is 5 years. |
| Transportation | This tour uses: Pop-up roof 4x4, Normal 4x4, Air, Boat. |
Route & Activities
Tanzania
Activities Included
Accommodation & Meals
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
| Day | Accommodation | Meals |
| 1 | Sunset Vista Hotel No images available | Dinner Included |
| 2-4 | Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha. No images available | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included |
| 5 | Sunset Vista Hotel No images available | Breakfast, Lunch Included |
| 6 | Budget Accommodation No images available | Breakfast Included |
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Day 1 - Dar es Salaam to Kigoma
Early in the morning, you'll fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma. On arrival, you'll be met and greeted by your safari guide.
You'll transfer to Lake Tanganyika Hotel for check-in and relaxation. You'll have the opportunity to explore the historical and cultural highlights of Kigoma. Depending on your interests and time, you may visit sites such as the old German railway station, the Ujiji Livingstone Memorial.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be in Sunset Vista Hotel Kigoma.
Evening storytelling session with your guide to introduce the journey ahead.
Main Destination: Kigoma
Accommodation: Sunset Vista Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Dinner Included
- Day 2 - Kigoma – Road Transfer to Mahale Mountains National Park
You'll depart Kigoma in the morning (7:30–8:00 am) for a 7–8 hour scenic but rough road journey to Mahale Mountains National Park. On the way, you'll cross from Ilagala to Kajeje via local ferry, enjoying views of Lake Tanganyika and surrounding villages.
You'll arrive at Bilenge Headquarters for park registration, then take a 30-minute boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. As you approach Kasiha, the forest-clad mountains rise dramatically from the lake—your first breathtaking view of Mahale.
You'll check in at Tanapa Bandas, set right on the lake’s edge. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha. In the evening, you'll join your guide for an evening session on Mahale’s history, culture, and conservation.
Main Destination: Mahale Mountain National Park
Accommodation: Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
- Day 3 - Chimpanzee Tracking in Mahale Mountains National Park
After breakfast, you'll begin your first guided chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide.
You'll track the Mimikire group, one of Africa’s best-habituated chimp communities, deep in the Mahale forest.
Treks can last 2–4 hours, depending on the chimps’ movement, but the reward is unforgettable, watching them play, feed, and groom in their natural rainforest home.
In the afternoon, you'll have a hot lunch and rest at the bandas or go kayaking on the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
In the evening, you'll walk to Kasiha Water Pool for a refreshing swim in a natural spring.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kasiha Bandas.
You'll have an evening storytelling session after dinner.
Main Destination: Mahale Mountain National Park
Accommodation: Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
- Day 4 - Chimpanzee Tracking & Evening Boat Safari
After breakfast, you'll head into the forest for chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide, assisted by experienced trackers who follow the chimps’ movements. You'll spend time observing them in their natural habitat and learning about their behavior, social structures, and daily routines.
You'll return for lunch and rest at the bandas. In the late afternoon, you'll enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, with stunning views of the Mahale Mountains.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kasiha Bandas.
Evening storytelling session under the stars.
Main Destination: Mahale Mountain National Park
Accommodation: Tanapa Bandas – Kasiha.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
- Day 5 - Mahale – Return to Kigoma
After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Mahale staff and, at 8:30 am, take the boat back to Bilenge.
From Bilenge, you will drive back to Kigoma, passing through villages, farmland, and palm plantations.
On the route, you will cross via local ferry from Kajeje back to Ilagala before continuing to Kigoma.
You'll arrive in Kigoma and be dropped off at Sunset Vista Hotel.
Main Destination: Kigoma
Accommodation: Sunset Vista Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch Included
- Day 6 - Kigoma – Flight to Dar es Salaam
You'll be transferred from your hotel to Kigoma Airport for your flight back to Dar es Salaam, departing at 8:30 am.
Main Destination: Dar es Salaam
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Rates Per Person
Jan 11, 2026 - Jan 11, 2027
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Dar es Salaam and ends in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Dar es Salaam and ends in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Offered By
BAHATI SAFARIS
Kenya
Tanzania
At Bahati Safaris, we invite you to experience the raw beauty, thrill, and wonder of Africa’s untamed landscapes. Based in Tanzania, we are a passionate, locally-owned tour company dedicated to delivering authentic and unforgettable safari adventures across East Africa.
Our name, Bahati, means "luck" or "good fortune" – and that’s exactly what we aim to bring to every journey: a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with discovery, connection, and joy. Whether you're chasing the Great Migration across the Serengeti, standing atop Mount Kilimanjaro, or relaxing on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, Bahati Safaris is here to make your dream trip come true.
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