Western Tanzania & Chimpanzee Safaris: The Western Circuit

Western Tanzania is the least-visited part of the country, but it is one of the most interesting areas for those visitors who do travel there. The best place to see chimpanzees is a wild and unspoilt area of the country. It’s the place to visit for a primate safari and the ultimate wilderness experience. Two parks feature chimpanzees, though it should be noted that children under 10 are usually not permitted to track them.

6 Reasons to Visit Western Tanzania

• Chimpanzee tracking -Walk with habituated troops in Mahale Mountains and Gombe.
• Almost zero tourists – Have Katavi plains and Mahale beaches practically to yourself.
• Stunning Lake Tanganyika -The world’s longest freshwater lake with crystal-clear water and sunset dhow cruises.
• Big game in Katavi -Massive buffalo herds, giant crocodiles, and huge lion prides.
• Fly-in convenience -Light aircraft hops make the remote west surprisingly easy.
• True wilderness feeling -You’ll feel like the first person to ever set foot here.

At least 6 days should be budgeted for visiting the parks of Western Tanzania. Parks in the Tanzania Western Circuit include:

• Gombe Stream National Park: Gombe Stream National Park is the smallest park in Tanzania. It is a remote and fragile strip of chimpanzee habitat near the river valleys hemming the sandy northern shore of Lake Tanganyika.
• Katavi National Park: Off the beaten track is the pristine wilderness of Katavi National Park. Stepping into Katavi is like stepping one hundred years into Africa’s past. It’s the natural home for many hippos, crocodiles, and lions. The large concentrations of nearby antelope attract these predators in droves.
• Mahale Mountains National Park: Mahale Mountains National Park features azure blue waters, sandy beaches, mountains, rainforests, and exotic wildlife. A trip to these mountains is easily combined with a visit to the secluded Katavi .
• Rubondo Island National Park: Rubondo Island National Park is found on a small island in the south-west corner of Lake Victoria. Visiting this island in the world’s second-largest lake, a sprawling inland sea that extends between Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, is an entirely different adventure than anything that can be found at the other parks in Tanzania.

Our 2025/26 Western Circuit Safaris