5-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Safari

The Mahale chimpanzee safari in brief

This 5-day Mahale safari takes you to Mahale Mountains National Park, a roadless park of forested mountains on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. You fly from Arusha, stay four nights at a lakeshore camp, and make two treks to the M group, a community of wild chimpanzees habituated to people and studied by researchers since the 1960s. Between treks you swim, snorkel and kayak in one of the clearest lakes in Africa.

• Route: Arusha, Mahale airstrip, lakeshore camp by boat, Arusha
• Nights: 4 at one camp on the lake shore
• Treks: 2, each with one hour with the chimpanzees
• Travel: light aircraft from Arusha (about 3.5 hours with a stop), then boat
• Best months: July to October

Why Mahale

Mahale is the chimpanzee park that experienced safari travellers talk about. The setting is extraordinary: mountains covered in forest rise straight out of Lake Tanganyika, the longest freshwater lake in the world and the second deepest, and the camps sit on white-sand beaches at their foot. There are no roads into the park, no other lodges in sight and very few visitors.

The chimpanzees are the reason to come. Researchers from Kyoto University began studying them in the mid-1960s, making it one of the longest-running studies of wild chimpanzees anywhere, second only to Gombe's. The M group is habituated, which means the chimpanzees tolerate quiet human observers close by. Spending an hour with them, watching grooming, play, quarrels and the occasional hunt, is unlike any other wildlife experience in Tanzania.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

Mahale is ideal for:

• Travellers who have done a savanna safari and want something completely different.
• Primate and wildlife enthusiasts who want time with wild chimpanzees in a natural setting.
• Honeymooners and slow travellers who value remoteness and a beautiful beach camp.

It is probably not for you if:

• You have limited mobility or serious heart concerns. Trails can be steep and slippery.
• You are travelling with young children. There is a minimum age for trekking.
• You want big game. Mahale is about chimpanzees, forest and the lake. Pair it with the 7-Day Classic for the savanna.

Mahale vs Gombe, and vs a southern safari

Gombe Stream, made famous by Jane Goodall's research, is Tanzania's other chimpanzee park. It is smaller and easier to reach from Kigoma, and suits a short visit. Mahale is larger, wilder and more remote, with camps designed for staying several nights. Our Mahale vs Gombe guide compares them in detail.

If you are deciding between Mahale and a southern savanna trip, the 7-Day Southern Circuit in Nyerere and Ruaha offers boat and walking safaris and big game with few vehicles. Mahale is the choice if chimpanzees are the priority.

Best months to visit Mahale

• July to October (dry season): the best time. Trails are drier, and late in the season the chimpanzees often feed lower on the slopes, which can mean shorter treks.
• November to February: the rains. Treks are wetter and can be longer, but the forest is lush and visitors are few.
• March to May: the heaviest rains. Some camps close.

Flights to western Tanzania operate on set days of the week, so your dates fit those flights. See our Mahale destination page for more on the park through the year.

What a chimpanzee trek is like

Trackers set out at dawn to find where the M group nested. Once they radio a location, you follow with a park ranger. Depending on where the chimpanzees are, the walk takes from under an hour to several hours, on forest trails that can be steep, muddy and slippery. When you find the group, you put on the face mask you are given and keep at least 10 metres (33 feet) away. Then you have one hour.

Chimpanzees are often on the move, so you may follow them through the forest during that hour. Sometimes they rest and groom; sometimes they climb, call and chase. Wear long trousers and sturdy shoes with grip, bring water and rain gear, and leave food behind. Treks typically finish by lunchtime.

Life at camp between treks

Days off are part of the trip. You can snorkel off the beach among cichlid fish that exist only in Lake Tanganyika, kayak along the forested shore, take a guided forest walk with a ranger, or go out on a dhow at sunset. The lake is cool, clear and calm on most days, and evenings are spent on the beach. The camps are small, so the atmosphere is quiet and personal.

What to pack for chimpanzee treks

• Footwear: lightweight hiking shoes or boots with good grip; trails are steep and can be muddy.
• Clothing: long trousers and long sleeves in muted colours, for nettles, thorns and insects. Gardening gloves help on steep sections.
• Rain gear: a light waterproof jacket, even in the dry season.
• Camera: a fast lens for low forest light; flash is not allowed.
• Small daypack with water and insect repellent. Food stays out of the forest near the chimpanzees.
• For the lake: swimwear and a rash vest; camps provide snorkelling gear, but bring your own mask if you have one.

Where you stay

We use one of two lakeshore camps. Greystoke Mahale is a small, much-loved camp of wooden bandas on the beach, with all activities included; it is the classic Mahale stay. Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is a slightly larger lodge, also on the shore, and a good choice when Greystoke is full or when you want a different style. Both organise the treks, rangers and activities.

Getting there

Mahale has no road access. The flight from Arusha takes about 3.5 hours including a refuelling stop, on a light aircraft, and lands at an airstrip on the lake shore, followed by a boat transfer to camp. Luggage is limited to a soft-sided bag, usually about 15 kg (33 lb). Because flights operate on set days, plan international flights with a buffer; we will advise when you book.

What's included

Park fees and chimpanzee tracking permits for two treks; the return flight between Arusha and Mahale; boat transfers between the airstrip and camp; full-board accommodation at Greystoke or Mbali Mbali; activities at camp, including snorkelling, kayaking and forest walks; park ranger fees; and airport transfers in Arusha. International flights, the visa, travel insurance, alcohol where not included by the camp, and tips are extra. For an overview of how fees and flights affect prices, see our Tanzania safari cost guide.

Safety, health and park rules

• Don't trek if you are ill. Chimpanzees catch human respiratory infections easily; anyone with a cold, cough or fever stays at camp.
• Masks and distance: wear the mask and keep at least 10 metres (33 feet) away, even if a chimpanzee comes closer.
• No eating or flash photography near the chimpanzees.
• Malaria: Mahale is a malaria area. Talk to your doctor and see our vaccinations and health guide.
• Insurance must include medical evacuation; Mahale is very remote.
• Swimming: swim only where camp staff say it is safe.

US travellers should read our Tanzania visa guide for US citizens. When you're ready, send us your dates and we will match them to the flight days.