Accommodation: Greystoke Mahale – thatched bandas (cottage)

Destinations: Mahale National Park, Western Tanzania

Activities: chimpanzee trekking, walks on beach, boat trips, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, forest walks

Arrive: Arusha
Depart: Arusha

What to expect from this 5 day Tanzania Chimpanzee Safari:

An excellent Tanzania Chimpanzee safari to experience and learn about these amazing primates – you will trek to see the chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park. After a morning of hiking through the rainforests, there is no better way to recoup your energies on the soft sand beach, and the waters of the lake.

You can snorkel or swim in the clear waters, fish, or kayak along the lake shore. Stay at a stunning remote lakeside location with gorgeous luxury tented accommodation with opportunities to find and observe the chimpanzees.

Days 1- 4 : Mahale National Park, Tanzania

Flights to Mahale depart on a Thursday at 08:00, from Arusha. You will fly via Kavati and arrive at Mahale airstrip at approximately 13:20. On arrival at the airstrip, you will experience a 90 minute dhow trip down the lake to reach Greystoke Mahale. You will be welcomed by the friendly staff at Greystoke Mahale and enjoy a scrumptious lunch.

Accommodation at this fairy tale camp is in six exotic wooden bandas looking out across the beach. The bandas are open-fronted, with interiors fashioned from dhow timber. Each thatched banda is well furnished, with crisp linen and local textiles, and has its own dressing room, upstairs ‘chill-out; deck, and adjoining bathroom with shower and flush toilet.

The forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains are home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees, with approximately 1000 individuals inhabiting the national park. Each day at Greystoke Mahale you can venture out on your Tanzania Chimpanzee safari into the forest, to observe and commune with these incredible creatures, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.

Chimp trekking time is variable, and dependent on where the chimps are that day; they could be right in the forest behind the camp, or further up the mountain, a possible five hour trek away. The paths up the mountain are not always steep, but the walking can be strenuous so it helps if you're fairly fit. Good sturdy but lightweight walking boots/shoes are a must. Please note that only children over the age of 12 can view the chimps.

By visiting Mahale, you are also helping to support this pristine environment and these precious primates. Habitat loss is the greatest single threat to animal extinction today, but the National Park fees levied to visitors here make sure this particular habitat remains secure - not just for over 1000 wild chimpanzees, but a vast array of other living things.

When you are chimpanzee viewing, you will be asked to keep a few really important rules which are there solely to protect the chimpanzees. The rules have been devised for Mahale and Gombe National Parks by an international team of scientists, doctors and veterinarians and will protect the chimpanzees, their forest and you.

Day 5: Flight to Arusha, Tanzania

After a full morning activity (picnic lunch provided) on your Tanzania Chimpanzee safari you will depart for Mahale airstrip by boat and at 13:45 fly back to Arusha arriving late afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE : Chimp trekking at Mahale is often strenuous and Greystoke Mahale camp managers reserve the right to restrict chimp viewing for any guests who they feel are not fit enough and could hold the entire group back.

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