IDEAL LENGTH 11 nights
Price From £11,590 pp
When to Go Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Off the beaten path in Tanzania

This itinerary is a true wilderness experience. Mahale National Park, set along the shores of Lake Tanganyika is where Japanese scientists began chimpanzee research here in the mid-1960’s, making it arguably the best wild chimpanzee experience in the world today.

Day 1
1 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 1
Arrival Dar es Salaam

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be escorted to your light aircraft flight to Ruaha National Park and transferred to your accommodation.

Day 2
2 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 2
Ruaha National Park

Enjoy the beauty of Ruaha National Park. Take in the stunning views, keep an eye out for strolling wildlife, relax by the campfire at night and embark on an unforgettable journey. 

Day 3
3 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 3
Ruaha National Park

Head on game drives, searching for elephant, giraffe, zebras, lion, leopard, cheetah, bat-eared foxes and jackals. In the morning, stop for a picnic under the shade of a tree; in the evening, sip on a cold gin & tonic in the heart of the bush.

Night drives will introduce you to the elusive animals that come out after dark, and walking safaris can be enjoyed with experienced armed guides and local trackers.

Day 4
4 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 4
Ruaha National Park – Selous Game Reserve

Today you’ll be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Selous Game Reserve before heading to your accommodation.

Embark on game drives in the Selous Game Reserve which - at 55,000 sq km - is almost twice the size of Belgium, and four times larger than the famous Serengeti in the North. Home to plants, birds, elephant, buffalos, and an estimated 1,300 of the worlds’ roughly 4,000 remaining rare wild dogs, there’s plenty to see.

Day 5
5 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 5
Selous Game Reserve

Spend the next few days on morning and evening game drives, game walks or birding safaris.

Day 6
6 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 6
Selous Game Reserve

Explore the Great Rufiji River and its surrounding forests and woodlands, go on a boat safari, or try fishing and fly camping.

Day 7
7 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 7
Roho Ya Selous – Arusha

Today you’ll be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Arusha and transferred to your accommodation.

Day 8
8 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 8
Arusha – Mahale Mountains National Park

You’ll fly into Mahale Mountains National Park by light aircraft before being transferred to your next accommodation.

Mahale Mountains National Park is in the far west of Tanzania, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and home to some of the Africa's last remaining wild chimpanzees.

Take a late afternoon trip in the dhow and enjoy sundowners on board.

Day 9
9 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 9
Greystoke Mahale

Go on a chimp trek, hike the forest paths looking for birds and butterflies, swim in ice-cold pools in the mountain waterfalls, or try fishing or kayaking on a lake. Alternatively, relax on the beach before enjoying sundowners on an old wooden dhow cruise.

Day 10
10 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 10
Greystoke Mahale

You will have today at your own leisure. 

Day 11
11 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 11
Greystoke Mahale

Explore all that Greystoke Mahale has to offer before you depart tomorrow

Day 12
12 Chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Day 12
Arusha – Kilimanjaro - Departure

Today you’ll take a light aircraft flight back to Arusha for your onward journey.

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itinerary highlights
  • African game drives in Ruaha National Park searching for elephant, giraffe, leopard, wild dog and lion

  • An early morning bird safari in Nyerere National Park

  • Explore the Great Rufiji River on a walking safari

  • Search the Mahale Mountains National Park for chimpanzees

  • Swim in ice-cold pools in the mountain waterfalls of Greystoke Mahale

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