Kayaking Expedition to the Chimpanzee Forests of Tanzania

This is an active and physical expedition, so participants should be in good health and reasonably fit to get the most out of the trip. Previous paddling experience is not essential, however, a couple of hours in a kayak getting to get the hand of basic paddle strokes before the expedition is advisable. On some days, wind could make the water a little choppy. Walking and chimp trekking in Mahale can be tiring – some trails are steep and long. During the five-day kayaking section of this trip the campsites are very simple and rustic. The expedition is easily achievable for most relatively fit people, although a generally high fitness level will help you enjoy the trip to its fullest. Your host finds that irrespective of distance and fitness, you can work on a healthy average of 6-7 km per hour on the kayaks. It is best to get away early and get 3-5 hours of paddling done before the heat of midday, then a stop for a meal/snack and some downtime.

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.

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

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.

Overall weather conditions – being on a kayak on the longest lake in the world, does place you firmly in the hands of the weather gods. On any day, the weather can be locally specific and could change several times during the day. There are only two prevailing winds, which depend on the season. During the dry season (May – November), the prevailing wind is from the south: this is good news, it will push you along. During the rainy season, the prevailing wind is from the north, so you'll be paddling against the wind slightly. The rainy season does not translate into rain every day, nor all day. Generally, if it does rain, there will be a strong windy period of about 45 minutes, an hour or two of rain, usually followed by utter calm. This is actually the best time to paddle your host's opinion, it is BIBLICAL!

The temperatures will never get below around 19-24° Celsius, even during the rainy season, and not normally above 30° Celsius, even during the heat of the day. Your hosts will never take a chance against the weather and your guide will never put a kayaker in jeopardy. If the conditions get unpleasant, you'll pull up on a beach, doze in a hammock, go for a swim or skim stones until the weather passes. Lost time for bad weather will be made up for during good weather periods.

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.

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

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.

Yes, you'll need to take all of your gear with you on the kayak expedition, as you won't be returning back to Lake Shore Lodge after setting off.

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

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

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.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

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.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.