Day 1: Arrival Day:
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport you will be met by your Daigle Tours guide and transferred to Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha town.
Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 2: Arusha – Kigoma
In the morning after breakfast you’ll be driven to Arusha Airport for your flight to Kigoma. You’ll be picked up on arrival at Kigoma and driven to the Lake Tanganyika Beach hotel for lunch. You will have few places to visit before moving to Kigoma Hilltop Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Kigoma – Mahale National Park
In the morning after breakfast you’ll be driven to Lake Tanganyika for your boat trip to Mahale . It takes four to six hours to get from Kigoma to Mahale by speed boat.
Accommodation: Nkungwe Tented Camp.
Day 4 & 5: Mahale
You will spend two full days chimpanzee tracking in Mahale. Chimpanzees normally move in search of food and nest wherever there’s an abundant food source such as their favorite fruit. Accommodation: Nkungwe Tented Camp.
Day 6: Mahale – Kigoma:
After breakfast pickup for boat departure to Kigoma town. On arrival pick up and transferred to the hotel. Accommodation: Kigoma Hilltop Hotel.
Day 7: Arrival Day:
After breakfast pickup for boat departure to Gombe National park. On arrival pick up and transfer to Gombe Tented Camp where you can relax on the beach. Accommodation: Gombe Forest Lodge.
Day 8 &9: Gombe National Park.
Early in the morning after breakfast you’ll visit Kakombe waterfall and enjoy another full day of chimp tracking. In the late afternoon you’ll head back to beach to enjoy a cool swim in the deepest lake in the worl. Accommodation: Gombe Forest Lodge.
Day 10 & 11: Kigoma:
After breakfast transfer to the lake for boat departure to Kigoma town. Pick up on arrival and transfer to Kigoma Hilltop hotel, and leave on 11 to Dar or Arusha
The Mahale Mountains National Park is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in remote western Tanzania. It’s spectacularly beautiful, with the backdrop of the Mahale Mountains and lush, tropical flora. The main attraction is walking safaris to observe the chimpanzees who live here. They share their forest paradise with a range of other primates, mammals and beautiful birds.
How to Get to Mahale
Mahale is not the easiest or cheapest place to get to. Depending on your itinerary, your entry point to the country will be either Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha town, or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam. In most cases, your tour operator will pick you up from the airport and make ongoing arrangements.
The best way to get to Katavi is by a flight from Arusha. The only public, scheduled flight is the twice-weekly service between Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale operated by Safari Air Link.
Zantasair works with its sister company Mbali Mbali lodges, to offer twice-weekly shared charter flights between northern Tanzania and western Tanzania, incorporating Katavi and Mahale National Parks.
Domestic flights to Mahale Mountains National Park
Normally these charter flights are reserved by your safari / tour operator all as part of your safari package. You may make reservations for your Domestic flights with any of the domestic carrier such as: Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Regional Air, ZanAir, Safari Air Link, or Coastal Aviation
Passport, visa and other entry requirements
Information about the Passport, visa plus other requirements at the point of entry can be acquired directly through your tour operator