Tanzania’s Last Frontier
The Western Circuit
The Primate Kingdom & Untamed Wilderness
Start Your Chimpanzee TrekWhy Go to Tanzania's Last Frontier?
Exclusive Access
Minimal visitor numbers guarantee an intimate, private safari experience—a world away from the crowds.
Aquatic Wonders
Combining chimpanzees with Lake Tanganyika activities: swimming, snorkeling, and dhow cruises.
Chimpanzee Focus
The world's best destination for chimp habituation, including Jane Goodall’s famous Gombe research site.
Adventure Travel
Access is often via scheduled or chartered flights, adding to the remote expedition feel.
The Parks of the Primate Kingdom
Mahale Mountains National Park
A stunning combination of emerald forests plunging into the sapphire waters of Lake Tanganyika. Mahale is primarily accessed by boat and is home to the largest known population of habituated chimpanzees. Treks involve hiking through dense forest, where the reward is spending an intimate hour watching a chimp family.
- Most Habituated Chimps
- Cichlid Fish in Lake T.
Katavi National Park
Tanzania’s third-largest park but one of its least visited, offering a true sense of exploration. Katavi is famous for its dry-season spectacle, where thousands of hippos gather in the last remaining pools of the Katuma River, and colossal herds of buffalo and elephant congregate.
- Massive Hippo & Buffalo Herds
- Best Walking Safaris
Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream is where Jane Goodall’s pioneering research began, making it a sacred site for conservation. This small park is perfect for a short, intensive chimp tracking experience on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The dramatic landscape features steep slopes covered in dense forest, perfect for hiking and finding the primates.
- Jane Goodall Legacy
- Intimate Chimp Encounters
Rubondo Island National Park
Far in Lake Victoria’s southwest lies Rubondo Island—a sanctuary of forest, water, and wonder. At 457 square kilometers, it’s one of the largest island national parks in Africa, yet remains nearly untouched by mass tourism. It is a refuge for reintroduced chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, and sitatungas.
“Rubondo is not a park — it’s a dream of Africa untouched. Every rustle in the forest feels like the Earth remembering itself.”
Key Activities:
- Giant Nile Perch Fishing
- Canoe or Boat Safaris
- Birdwatching & Walks
- Forest Chimpanzee Walks
Chimpanzee Trekking: The Ultimate Primate Safari
Tracking chimpanzees in Mahale and Gombe is a privilege, offering a profound, hour-long encounter with our closest living relatives in their natural habitat.
The Trek
Expect challenging, rewarding hikes through the steep, damp forests. Locating the chimps can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, guided by expert park rangers.
The Encounter
Once found, you spend one hour observing them feeding, grooming, or playing. This limited time minimizes disturbance and ensures the chimps remain wild and habituated.
Habituation Rules
Strict rules apply: wearing a mask (pre-emptive), maintaining a 7-meter distance, and no flash photography. This protects them from human illness.
The World's Longest Freshwater Lake
Lake Tanganyika, the second-deepest lake in the world, is an incredible part of the Western Circuit experience. Its crystal-clear waters are home to a massive diversity of endemic cichlid fish, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling and swimming.
Activities Include:
- Snorkeling & Swimming
- Sunset Dhow Cruises
- Beach Fly Camping
- Fishing Excursions
Planning Your Remote Expedition
Step 1: Fly to Katavi (Remote Access)
Your journey begins with a chartered or scheduled flight from Arusha (ARK) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) directly to Katavi’s airstrip.
Step 2: Transfer to Mahale (Water Transit)
A short charter flight connects you, followed by a dramatic boat ride across Lake Tanganyika to reach your lodge on the Mahale shore.
Step 3: Optional Gombe/Rubondo
For the complete experience, connect to Gombe via Kigoma, or venture north to Rubondo Island on Lake Victoria (a long but rewarding extension).