Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking

Tanzania, a vast country in East Africa, is renowned for its abundant game parks and reserves, picturesque sandy beaches along the Indian Ocean, notable lakes such as Tanganyika and Mountains like the Kilimanjaro, significant archeological sites like Olduvai Gorge, and notably, its chimpanzee trekking experiences. Although chimpanzee trekking is typically associated with Rwanda and Uganda, travelers often choose Tanzania for game drives to witness the remarkable wildebeest migration in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, as well as for climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring captivating coastal communities like Zanzibar.

More and more travelers to Tanzania are interested in primate tracking. Tourists looking for a unique experience can partake in Chimpanzee Trekking in Either Mahale Mountains or Gombe National Park, which brings them face-to-face with creatures that seem a lot like humans. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is another option that could pique your curiosity of witness our closest Cousins.

Tanzania offers two locations where you can go for chimpanzee trekking. Gombe Stream National Park is located next to Burundi and Lake Tanganyika. During the 1960s, Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist, initiated her research on wild chimpanzees, resulting in the rise of Gombe Stream National Park’s popularity. Her programs and initiatives continue to thrive to this day. Jane Goodall’s endeavors to conserve and safeguard the chimpanzees of Gombe and globally were of immense assistance. As a result of relentless hunting for their meat, Gombe chimpanzees were on the verge of extinction. Thanks to Goodall, chimpanzee conservation got financial backing from donors all throughout the globe.

The country’s tiniest national park is located at Gombe Stream. Despite its modest size (just 35 square kilometers), it has swiftly become one of East Africa’s most popular places for chimpanzee trekking. Primatologists and tourists alike flock to Tanzania in the hopes of witnessing wild chimpanzees. Through a process termed the chimpanzee habituation experience, the groups that are expected to be visited by visitors have become habituated to human presence. Olive baboons, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and other monkey species are among those that visitors to Gombe Stream National Park are lucky enough to encounter.

The Mahale Mountains National Park, founded in 1985, is a top chmpanzee trekking destination in Tanzania where travelers can trek wild chimpanzees. Spanning an area of 1,613 square kilometers, it is the largest of the two national parks in compared to Gombe Stream National Park. Pine, silk, mahogany, fig, bamboo, and grasslands are some of the lush vegetation characterized by the Mahale Mountains, which are located near Lake Tanganyika.

This expansive tropical rainforest is home to a diverse range of animal species such as mongooses, squirrels, antelopes, yellow baboons, porcupines, and blue duikers. In addition to chimpanzees, guests can also enjoy sights of many bird species and butterflies.

To access Tanzania’s two chimpanzee trekking destinations, Guests are required to receive their chimpanzee trekking permits. The rates fluctuate based on the specific trekking destination. The cost of chimpanzee permits at Gombe Stream National Park is $100. The Mahale Mountains National Park imposes a fee of 150 USD for the chimpanzee permit of each individual participating in the Chimpanzee trekking experience.

Please note that the minimum age requirement for chimpanzee hiking in Tanzania is 15 years. All trekkers must comply with the rules and regulations provided to them at the pre-trek briefing. When traveling to Tanzania to trek the  chimpanzees, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the following regulations:

1. Staying near your trekking group to avoid getting lost in the dense forests is a must.
2. Engaging in the act of observing and engaging with chimpanzees while ensuring a minimum distance between you and the chimps of 7 meters apart.
3. Avoid making direct eye contact with a chimpanzee, as it can be misinterpreted as aggressiveness or a challenge.

Tanzania experiences a consistent climate with warm temperatures all year round, characterized by distinct rainy and dry seasons. Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania is now possible throughout the year due to the consistently nice climate. The chimpanzees can be visited year-round, although the optimal period for trekking is the dry season, which spans from June to October.

For some reason, The probability of rain negatively impacting the quality of the activity is reduced. The forest trails are less slippery and muddied during the dry season. Extended strolls and enhanced chances for capturing photographs can also be easily accessible. However, in the dry season, the availability of fruits is scarce, prompting the chimpanzees to venture further into the forest, resulting in increased search time.

During the wet season, trackers face additional obstacles such as mudslides and dense foliage. For nature enthusiasts, the rainy season is a must-see due to the profusion of fauna, and birds, as well as the breathtaking surroundings. Due to their satiety, the chimpanzees may exhibit less locomotion. What is the probability of encountering chimpanzees in Tanzania? Chimpanzees can be observed in Tanzania more than 80% of the time. To provide continuous visibility of the monkeys, a significant amount of state-of-the-art technology has been implemented. Furthermore, skilled trackers are dispatched to accurately identify the exact positions of the primates before escorting guests into the forest.

Chimpanzee trekking tourists visiting the Tanzania national parks of Gombe Stream or Mahale Mountains have access to excellent accommodation choices while on the chimp trekking safari, both within the park and in nearby cities. These hotel establishments also offer services to all individuals with all budgets. Mbali Mbali, the Lake Tanganyika hotel, the Kigoma hill top hotel, the Gombe lodge, the Mahale camp, and the Mikumi adventure lodge are a few options for accommodation in Tanzania while engaging in chimpanzee trekking.

Tourists that visit Tanzania’s Gombe or Mahale Mountains National Parks can anticipate a wide range of thrilling adventure activities prior to, during, and following their chimpanzee trekking expeditions. Engaging in guided nature hikes in the forest reserves offers the opportunity to witness extraordinary wildlife. Lake Tanganyika boasts exquisite sandy beaches that provide a serene environment for guests to unwind. Baboons and other African wild creatures venture out of their forest habitats to quench their thirst on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. In Tanzania, there are several activities to engage in besides trekking with chimpanzees. One can also enjoy boating or sport fishing in the breathtaking azure waters of Lake Tanganyika.