Chimpanzee Trekking in Tanzania – A Guide to Gombe and Mahale National Parks

Tanzania is home to two prime destinations for chimpanzee trekking: Gombe National Park and Mahale National Park. Both offer unique opportunities to see wild chimpanzees in their natural habitats, but the costs and experiences differ between the parks. To trek chimpanzees in these parks, tourists must purchase trekking permits in advance. The cost varies depending on the park and the visitor’s status.

Cost of Chimpanzee Trekking Permits

Gombe National Park:

• Foreign Non-Residents: USD 100 (Adults), USD 20 (Children)
• Foreign Residents: USD 50 (Adults), USD 10 (Children)
• East African Citizens: Tshs 10,000 (Adults), Tshs 2,000 (Children)
• Children under 5 years old enter for free but cannot trek with the chimpanzees.

Mahale National Park:

• Foreign Non-Residents: USD 150 per person.

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Tanzania are in high demand, especially during the dry season. It is advisable to purchase permits 3 to 6 months in advance to secure your spot.

Chimpanzee Trekking Destinations in Tanzania

Tanzania is home to a diverse range of primates. These include chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, and red colobus monkeys. Among these, chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular activities. It is offered in two primary parks: Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.

Mahale National Park: Home of the M-group

Mahale National Park lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is famous for its chimpanzee trekking. The park is surrounded by the stunning Mahale Mountains, creating a breathtaking backdrop for chimpanzee sightings. This park is home to over 1,000 chimpanzees, though only a few are habituated for trekking. The Mimikire Clan, also known as the M-group, is open for trekking.

Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale involves hiking through dense forests and sometimes difficult terrain. The trek can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Once you find the chimps, you can spend an hour observing their behavior. Watching them groom, play, and interact with each other is a memorable experience. The chimpanzees are used to human presence, and although you cannot touch them, they may approach you and interact.

However, sightings are not guaranteed in Mahale. Chimpanzees are highly mobile and may not always be in the trekking area. Trekking sessions are available twice a day, providing more opportunities to track and observe the chimpanzees.

The conditions can be challenging, as the trek takes place in humid conditions with steep trails. Sometimes, guides need to hack through the undergrowth to reach the chimpanzees. Trekking is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are great for those who take on the adventure.

Gombe National Park: The Legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall

Gombe Stream National Park is one of the least visited national parks in Tanzania. It is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is known for its incredible chimpanzee trekking opportunities. Gombe gained international fame in 1960 when Dr. Jane Goodall started her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees. Her efforts led to the protection and habituation of many chimpanzees, allowing tourists to track them in the wild.

In addition to chimpanzees, Gombe is home to other primate species such as red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, and diadem monkeys. Gombe also hosts a variety of wildlife, including bushbucks, leopards, buffaloes, vultures, and barbets.

Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe is the main activity in the park. The trek starts early in the morning with a briefing on park rules and safety guidelines. Tourists are then divided into small groups of 6, and the trek begins. The experience can last anywhere from a few hours to a whole day, depending on the location of the chimpanzees.

Once located, trekkers spend an hour with the chimps, watching their fascinating behaviors and interactions. Gombe also offers the chance to see other primate species and wildlife while trekking. The park is known for its scenic beauty, as the trek winds through lush forests and along the shores of the lake.

Best Time to Visit Gombe and Mahale National Parks

Mahale National Park

The best time to visit Mahale National Park for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season, from July to October. During this period, the forest trails are not muddy or slippery, making trekking easier. The chimpanzees also descend from the higher slopes, making them easier to find.

From June to July, the rains are tapering off, and the chimpanzees are still high in the mountains, making trekking more difficult. The rainy season lasts from November to March, and during this time, the chimpanzees stay high on the slopes, making it hard to trek. The wet weather also makes trekking difficult due to the muddy and slippery conditions. Trekking is closed from April to May due to the rains.

Gombe National Park

For Gombe National Park, the best time for chimpanzee trekking is from late May to October. The dry season offers the best conditions for trekking, as the trails are less slippery and easier to navigate. The chimpanzees are also more likely to be found in the lower areas during this time.

While trekking is possible year-round in Gombe, the wet season (from November to April) makes it harder due to the muddy trails and slippery conditions. Despite this, some visitors still enjoy trekking during the rainy season, as the park is quieter and less crowded.

Getting to Mahale and Gombe National Parks

Mahale National Park:

Mahale is located in a remote area, making it difficult to access by road. The best way to get to the park is by chartered flight, which must be arranged in advance. Once you land, you will need to take a boat across Lake Tanganyika to reach the park. Depending on the boat type, the journey can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Gombe National Park:

Gombe can be accessed by road, but the journey is long and challenging. Most visitors opt for a flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, which is the nearest town. From Kigoma, you can take a boat to Gombe. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes and offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscapes.

Accommodation Options

Mahale National Park:

Accommodation in Mahale is high-quality and offers privacy due to the park’s remote location and low tourist numbers. Some options include:

• Greystoke Mahale: A luxury lodge with stunning views of Lake Tanganyika.
• Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge: Offers comfortable accommodations with a focus on sustainability.
• Mahale Guest House: A more affordable option offering basic amenities.
• Mahale Classic Lodge: A charming lodge with a serene atmosphere.

Gombe National Park:

Accommodation in Gombe is more limited, but there are a few options close to the park. Visitors can choose from a range of lodges and camps in the nearby Kigoma area.