The Chimpanzees of Mahale

Embark on a journey to encounter chimpanzees in Mahale National Park, located in western Tanzania.

Mahale's chimpanzees

from 4300 $US

June to March

5 days

From age 12

Mahale's chimpanzees

June to March

5 days

From age 12

from 4300 $US

Overview

Head off the tourist track to a remote region of Tanzania, to experience a unique safari to observe Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees. Welcome to this unspoiled sanctuary where nature reigns above all.

June to March

5 days

From age 12

Welcome to this sanctuary at the edge of the world

Mahale Mountains National Park covers 1,613 km2 in western Tanzania.
The Mahale Mountains overlook the coast of Lake Tanganyika, the least polluted freshwater lake in the world. It is home to around 250 different species of fish, some of which are found nowhere else.
It is in this heavenly setting that you will experience a chimpanzee safari in Tanzania, where these incredible primates roam freely.

Travel Details

chimpanzes

Your highlights

CHIMPANZEE

The observation must be done with the greatest respect for the animals. The dry season is the best time to observe them.

AWAY FROM THE CROWDS

This remote park in the west of the country is far from the tourist crowds. Time seems stand still in Mahale.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

Flights only take place twice a week. Our travel designers are by your side to help you build the perfect itinerary for you.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JANE GOODALL

Jane Goodall is an ethologist and anthropologist, she conducted the longest field study ever done on chimpanzees, in Tanzania in 1960.

Itinerary
details

Browse through our tour and contact us to tailor it to your travel needs.

Day 1: Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania! The ideal destination for safari lovers. Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our teams and transfer to the accommodation.

Villa in the Arusha region
Private car

Day 2: Arusha – Mahale

Aboard a small bush plane, fly to reach the Mahale airstrip. Transfer by boat, approximately 1h30, to the lodge. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, trek in search of chimpanzees or walk in the forest. Dinner and night at the lodge on the beach.

Lodge near the lake
Bush plane

Day 3: Mahale

After breakfast, departure for a trek in search of chimpanzees. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon of rest at the lodge. Dinner and second night at the lodge on the beach.

Lodge near the lake

Day 4: Mahale

After breakfast, departure for a trek in search of chimpanzees. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, go for a boat ride on Lake Tanganyika. Go and observe the hippos and try your hand at local fishing. Dinner and third night at the lodge on the beach.

Lodge near the lake

Day 5: Mahale – Arusha

After breakfast, return by boat to the airstrip and return flight to Arusha by small bush plane.

Bush plane

Our added value:
A tailor-made experience

An extra day? This itinerary can be modified according to your wishes, your availability and your budget. Our travel designers are on hand to help you build the safari of your dreams.

Contact us

Their experience

Quality of accommodation above our expectations (especially catering). Very attentive staff, pleasure to communicate in French. Exotic settings of the accommodation. Madiba's experience, his passion and the quality of listening make him a reference guide. Thanks to him, this trip was a real success for our first safari.

Dominique & Nathalie

More information

Frequently Asked Questions

The price of a safari in Tanzania depends on a variety of factors. The number of participants, since some costs, such as the vehicle, are shared. The type of transport: 4×4, planes for certain routes, private charters, etc. And finally the type of accommodation.

The Tanzanian government controls park entrance fees. These taxes are very important in your budget. You can find the prices of these fees on the Tanapa website.

The habit of tipping is very ingrained in Tanzania and you should also take this into account in your holiday budget.

You can travel to Tanzania all year round as long as you adapt your itinerary. Each season will reveal a different but beautiful landscape.

The dry season runs from June to October,where you cand find beauty in the dry landscapes. Evenings can be cool, especially in July and August.

The main rainy season generally extends from April to May. The main concentration of rain falls over two months.

The short rainy season, which starts in mid-October and lasts until February,rains only in the form of short showers. This is when nature is at its most beautiful and verdant.

The hottest months are from December to February..

You can travel to Tanzania with children, the important thing is to adapt the itinerary. Our travel designers are used to this and will be able to recommend the best itinerary according to their age. We can offer you family rooms specially designed to answer the safety questions that all parents ask themselves before taking their children on safari.

Children are generally entitled to a discount on accommodation up to the age of 12. For park taxes, the reduction is up to the age of 16. There is no tax for children aged 4 and under.

Formalities and Visa: For European and Canadian nationals, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return + a Tanzanian visa. The Tanzanian visa can be obtained on arrival or online at least 3 weeks before travel. The cost of a visa for Tanzania is 50 US dollars.

Health: Vaccination against yellow fever is not compulsory for entering Tanzania directly from Europe or North America. Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A/B and typhoid vaccinations are recommended. Vaccination against rabies is also recommended.

Malaria is endemic to the country. Make sure you protect yourself against mosquito bites with repellents, mosquito nets and clothing that covers your arms and legs.
We advise you to make an appointment with your GP or a specialist for further information on this subject.

What to bring: Except for the coast and Zanzibar, it is essential to bring sweaters as the evenings and early mornings are cool. Avoid wearing black and blue on safari, as these colours attract tsetse flies.

You'll also get sunburn if you don't take precautions. Pack an anti-diarrhoeal in your first-aid kit. You should also take insect repellent and medication to combat travel sickness. And don't forget your camera, sunglasses and a pair of binoculars.

Currency and exchange: US dollars and Tanzanian shillings are the main currencies accepted. For US dollars, you will need banknotes dated after 2009.
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are sometimes accepted in lodges, but not everywhere.

Dress code: On safari, shorts and short-sleeved clothing (T-shirts, blouses, etc.) are not a problem. Watch out for the sun!

On the coast and in the islands, the religion of Islam is predominant, so avoid clothing that could be perceived as an affront to the religion. Wear long sleeves and trousers. On the beaches, avoid any form of nudism or revealing clothing.

Safety: In order to adopt a few safety rules when travelling in town, we recommend that you consult your respective embassy website, under the 'Travelling abroad' tab.

Customs and traditions - Specific legislation: During Ramadan, do not eat or drink in public.
The Zanzibar authorities prohibit homosexual practices. Drugs and narcotics are severely punished. The import of plastic bags is prohibited.

Photographing and filming: When photographing people, do so sparingly and respectfully; try to put yourself in their shoes: how would you like to be photographed, how would you not like to be photographed? And always ask for consent!

You can photograph landscapes without limits! Please note, however, that it is forbidden to photograph military areas and buildings or officers in uniform. The use of drones is prohibited in Tanzania's national parks.

Tipping: Tanzania, like the rest of East Africa, is a country under Anglo-Saxon influence, and tipping has become a way of life here. We will suggest a recommended amount as a guideline only, but you should never feel obliged to give a tip.

It is customary to tip at the various accommodation establishments where you will be staying. Most lodges and camps have tip boxes at reception where you can leave US$10 per room, per night, if you are satisfied with the service. The money is then shared between the staff.

It is also customary to tip your safari team at the end of the safari. As a general rule, we recommend around US$25 per day of safari for your guide.

Electricity: 220 and 230 volts, 50 Hz. Power cuts are fairly frequent. Sockets have three plugs, two horizontal and one vertical. We advise you to bring an adaptor for your electrical devices (UK type) before you leave.
In the lodges, the electricity often stops working after 10 or 10.30pm and starts up again around 6 or 7am.

Time difference: +3h to the UK standard (GMT +4h) in winter, +2h in summer.

Languages: Swahili and English are the official languages. Swahili is of Bantu origin, originally from the coastal region, and includes many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages of Nilotic and Khoisan origin are also spoken.

Plan your trip with Corto Safaris

Mahale's chimpanzees

June to March

5 days

From age 12

June to March

5 days

From age 12

from 4300 $US

How do I book?

Step 1

Choose a trip that inspires you from our catalog

Step 2

Contact us by requesting a quote on our website

Step 3

Personalize your experience with our travel designers

Step 4

Confirm your reservation and start packing!

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