Kayaking Expedition to the Chimpanzee Forests of Tanzania

Yes; there are crocodiles in the lake. However, your hosts have been diving, swimming and snorkelling in the lake during the daytime for 17 years and have never seen a crocodile by day, except around Mahale which is the only part of the lake that your host will advise against swimming on the expedition. You will certainly be safe on your kayak throughout the trip, and while swimming in parts of the lake outside of Mahale. Outside of wading into the water at dusk or dawn, in the same place repetitively for months and months, you should be 99.9% safe. Your guide will also always advise you on safe practice throughout the expedition. There are also hippos in the lake. These wonderful creatures wallow in shallow water, generally at river mouths. Since river mouths eject sandy water into the otherwise crystal clear water of the lake, these aren't the spots that your host will recommend for a swim. If you are lucky enough to see hippos, you will probably hear them first. Give them a wide berth and things will be fine.

Mahale Mountains National Park, despite being lesser known than the likes of the Serengeti and Kruger, is truly one of Africa’s greatest national parks, famous for the habituated chimpanzees that call Mahale home. The park offers an incredibly diverse and unique experience for the intrepid adventurer. Mahale boasts a pristine shoreline with white sandy beaches along Lake Tanganyika, rugged mountains, deep green jungles, waterfalls, woodlands and savannas. The highlight of exploring Mahale is undoubtedly the opportunity to spend time with the incredible chimpanzee groups that roam the park. These chimps have been the subject of a research project that started in 1965 giving insight into their behaviour, community and history. Mahale also supports nine other species of primates, making it one of the most important protected areas in Tanzania for primate conservation. In addition, the park supports wonderful butterfly diversity, fantastic forests and rewarding birding opportunities.

Situated in the west of Tanzania, within the Albertine Rift, this incredible lake is the second-deepest and second-oldest in the world. One of Africa's 'Great Lakes', it supports an incredible diversity of fish with more than 350 species, of which most are endemic, including the celebrated Tanganyika cichlids. The water in the lake is beautifully clear offering great opportunities for snorkelling and swimming. Numerous small fishing villages dot the shore in some areas, whilst incredibly remote and inaccessible beaches offer idyllic camping sites in Mahale Mountains National Park. Lake Tanganyika is estimated to hold 18% of the world’s fresh standing water and it is also the longest lake in the world at 675km.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

$10 USD per day

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Your host hates plastic bottles, and since this trip involves you self-propelling over 18% of the world’s fresh water, your host utilises this source to its fullest. Every paddler needs to bring their own water treatment tablets or a portable water purifier, as well as a couple of storage bottles that can be filled every morning or as necessary. Please read our article on the best water filters for adventures. Your host will provide filtered water on the expedition, but it's best to bring your own to fill up and filter as you go.

One checked bag of up to a maximum of 23kg is included for the internal flights on this trip. You can store any excess luggage at the CBD Hotel in Dar es Salaam for a small fee.

On the expedition, if there is a problem due to bad weather and the group are not able to complete the full distance, your guide will call in a boat using a satellite phone. The boat will come up to Mahale early, pick up the group and the kayaks and take everyone into Mahale for that section of the trip. To travel on from Mahale (which will be done by kayak if the weather is fine), your host will use the Tanzania National Parks boat to take everyone where the vehicle will collect them to drive them to Kigoma.

If flight cancellations from Dar es Salaam to Mpanda affect the itinerary, your host will pivot the group to an alternative flight to Mbeya, then travelling by vehicle Mbeya to Lake Shore Lodge. This involves a longer journey, so you'd arrive at the lodge by evening in this instance (as opposed to lunchtime if you travel through Mpanda). If the flight from Kigoma to Dar es Salaam is cancelled, your host will take the group to Mpanda for the return flight instead. This would involve an overnight in Mpanda rather than Kigoma.

Your host uses a mix of single and double sea kayaks. The Wilderness System Tarpon 140 Single Kayaks are very stable machines, equipped with rudders which are essential for longer trips. They are comfortable and have good stowage capacity. The Wilderness System Northstar Tandem Kayaks, also with rudders, are brilliant long-distance tandem kayaks, also offering great stowage capabilities. Your host will distribute your group in the kayaks depending on the group dynamic, along with any preference you might have for being in a single or double.

Single kayak: 375lbs/170kg Tandem kayak: 600lbs/272kg

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.