Chimpanzee Trekking
The moment
Into the ancient forest where kinship awakens
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Step into the cool, ancient forests of western Tanzania and come face to face with one of our closest living relatives.
Chimpanzee trekking is an experience of profound connection, watching these intelligent, expressive primates go about their lives in the wild grooming, playing, and calling to one another through the canopy.
Where to Go
- Tanzania offers two world class destinations for this experience:
Gombe Stream National Park made famous by Jane Goodall’s pioneering research.
Mahale Mountains National Park a remote and breathtaking wilderness on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Both parks are home to habituated chimpanzee communities that can be visited on foot with experienced trackers and guides.
The Trekking Experience
The trek itself is physically engaging, often requiring a hike through steep, forested terrain.
Depending on where the chimpanzees are feeding, the trek can take anywhere from one to four hours.
Comfortable hiking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended but the reward is extraordinary.
The Moment That Matters
The moment you sit quietly among a habituated chimp family, watching a mother cradle her infant or a young male display his strength,
everything else falls away.
Visits are limited to one hour, and group sizes are kept small to minimise disturbance and preserve the experience.
Best Time to Visit
- The best time for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry seasons:
June to October
Mid December to February
During these periods, trails are firmer and chimpanzees tend to stay at lower, more accessible elevations.
Seamless Safari Integration
For those looking to combine this experience with a classic northern circuit safari,
flights and logistics can be arranged seamlessly.
Chimpanzee trekking is one of East Africa’s most intimate and moving wildlife encounters
an experience that stays with you long after you leave the forest.
Best paired with
Safaris that make room for this moment.
These journeys match this experience and can be tailored around it.
10 Days in Rwanda & Tanzania
From US$6,600
per person sharing
Destinations
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park & Volcanoes National Park
10 Days Ruaha and the Remote West
From US$4,999
per person sharing
Destinations
Katavi National Park & Ruaha National Park
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