Chimpanzee Trekking — Mahale & Gombe

Tanzania offers two world-class chimpanzee trekking destinations: Gombe Stream National Park, where Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking research, and Mahale Mountains National Park, with its stunning lakeside setting. Both provide extraordinary opportunities to observe wild chimpanzees.

Read our Gombe guideand Mahale guide.

Gombe is the world's longest-running chimpanzee research site, where Jane Goodall began her work in 1960. The Kasekela community is highly habituated after six decades of research. Treks typically last 2-4 hours through steep, forested terrain.

Gombe is smaller and more intimate than Mahale, with a deep historical connection to primatology. The park is accessed by boat from Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika.

Mahale is larger and more remote, with roughly 1,000 wild chimpanzees including the famous M-group. The park sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, offering the unique combination of primate trekking and beach relaxation.

Mahale's chimps are wild, not captive or semi-habituated. Treks can last 1-5 hours depending on where the chimps are. The terrain is steep, humid, and sometimes muddy.

Both parks offer one-hour chimpanzee encounters once the chimps are located. You'll observe feeding, grooming, social interactions, and sometimes dramatic displays. The proximity (often 5-7 meters) is breathtaking.

Treks require moderate fitness. The terrain is steep and can be muddy. Porters are available to carry bags and provide assistance on difficult sections.

May-October (dry season) is best for chimp trekking. Trails are firm, chimps range lower in the forest, and lake conditions are calm. November-April brings rain, lush vegetation, and harder trekking.

Read our timing guidefor seasonal information.

Ready for your chimpanzee trekking adventure? Contact usto plan your chimp trekking safari.

Read our cost guide,planning guide, or packing list.

Browse our journal for more resources, or check travel resources.