Chimpanzee Safari

Chimpanzee Safari in Tanzania: A Hidden Wildlife Treasure

Have you ever considered embarking on a chimpanzee safari in Tanzania? If not, it’s time to prepare for an extraordinary adventure. While the Serengeti wildebeest migration and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro often steal the spotlight, chimpanzee trekking offers an equally unforgettable and intimate wildlife experience.

Chimpanzee Safari in Mahale and Gombe National Parks

A chimpanzee safari in Tanzania takes you deep into the remote forests of Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe National Park, where you can track these incredible primates in their natural habitat. These parks, located along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, offer some of the most rewarding primate encounters in Africa.

Mahale Mountains National Park – A Wild Chimpanzee Haven

The Mahale Mountains are home to several hundred wild chimpanzees, particularly the well-known M-group, which has been studied for decades. The chimps live in a world of their own, often unaware of human presence. They swing through the treetops, forage on mountain slopes, and engage in playful interactions, giving visitors a rare glimpse into their daily lives. A visit here also allows travelers to explore Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second-deepest lake, with its mesmerizing underwater biodiversity.

Gombe National Park – The Legacy of Jane Goodall

Further north lies Gombe National Park, made famous by Jane Goodall’s pioneering chimpanzee research. This park provides another exceptional opportunity for chimpanzee trekking, where you can observe the complex social structures of these fascinating primates. Guided treks through the dense rainforest offer close-up encounters with chimps, making this an unforgettable wildlife experience.

What to Expect on a Chimpanzee Safari

Chimpanzee trekking requires patience and endurance as you hike through dense forests in search of these elusive creatures. With expert trackers leading the way, you’ll likely find them swinging through trees, grooming one another, or foraging on the forest floor. A two- to three-day excursion is recommended to fully appreciate this adventure.

For photographers, it’s essential to use non-flash equipment, as flash photography is strictly prohibited to avoid disturbing the chimpanzees. While habituated to human presence, these primates remain wild animals and should be treated with respect and caution to ensure a harmonious experience.

Why Choose a Chimpanzee Safari?

• Up-close encounters with our closest living relatives, who share 98% of our genetic makeup.
• Exclusive safari experience away from crowded tourist destinations.
• Breathtaking landscapes, from misty mountains to the pristine shores of Lake Tanganyika.
• A deeper understanding of primate behavior through expert-guided treks.

A chimpanzee safari in Tanzania is an off-the-beaten-path adventure that promises raw, unscripted wildlife moments. Whether in Mahale or Gombe, this journey offers a unique and deeply personal connection with nature.

NATIONAL PARK VIEWING RULES

• Maintain a distance of at least 10m from the chimps at all times. This minimizes the risk of you transmitting bacteria and viruses to them.
• Always wear a mask (provided by your guide) over your nose and mouth when you are close (<50m) to chimps.
• DO NOT eat or drink while you are near the chimps – move at least 250m away first.
• DO NOT leave personal belongings on the ground or where they are accessible to the chimps. They are curious animals and your belongings can transmit disease. If you need help carrying bags, your guide will be happy to assist you.
• DO NOT leave any rubbish behind. It can be harmful to all kinds of wildlife and it can transmit diseases to the chimps.
• If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the chimps, please cover your nose and mouth to reduce the distribution of germs.
• Try not to go to the toilet in the forest. If it is unavoidable, move at least 250m from the chimps and ask your guide to dig a deep hole.
• It is not permitted to visit the chimps if you are sick or have infectious disease. Please be responsible and tell your camp managers if you feel unwell. They will decide whether you would be risking the chimps’ health by visiting them.
• No person under the age of 12 is permitted to visit the chimps. This is for their own safety and because young people are more likely to transmit infectious disease.
• No more than 6 visitors (plus one guide) are permitted close to the chimps at any one time. If another group is with the chimps when you arrive, please wait at a spot chosen by your guide, at least 250m away from the animals.
• Maximum viewing time is one hour. If the chimps are moving and viewing is interrupted, your time will be paused until they have been relocated, but tracking is not permitted for longer than 3hours after the initial chimp sighting, even if the one hour total has not been reached. This is to minimize disturbance to the animals and to the forest.