8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari

Arrival in Bujumbura – Beginning

Your unforgettable 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari begins the moment you touch down at Bujumbura International Airport. Here, you’ll receive a warm welcome from our experienced local guide who will assist with your transfer to your accommodation. En route, take in the first glimpses of Lake Tanganyika’s glistening shoreline and Bujumbura’s bustling avenues. Depending on your arrival time, you might enjoy a gentle walk along the lakeside promenade or relax at the hotel with a lake view.

Your stay tonight is at the serene Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika, perfectly positioned to help you unwind and prepare for the days ahead. This lakeside retreat features comfortable accommodations, top-tier hospitality, and magnificent sunsets over one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Guests arriving before 7 PM will be treated to a welcoming dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients, setting the tone for an enriching and well-curated travel experience.

• Main Destination: Bujumbura (Burundi)
• Accommodation: Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika (Mid-range)
• Meals Included: Dinner (for arrivals before 7 PM)

Bujumbura City Tour and Boat Cruise in Rusizi National Park

Day two of your 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari offers a full cultural and ecological immersion into Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. After breakfast, embark on a comprehensive guided tour that delves into the city’s colonial heritage, cultural identity, and modern life. Key attractions include the Independence Monument, honoring the nation’s history; the Livingstone–Stanley Memorial, commemorating the iconic meeting of two great explorers; and the vibrant Central Market, where traditional crafts and fresh produce provide insight into everyday Burundian life.

Following lunch, the afternoon takes you on an unforgettable boat safari in Rusizi National Park, where the Rusizi River flows into Lake Tanganyika. As you glide through the peaceful wetlands, keep your eyes peeled for hippos, crocodiles, and a rich diversity of birdlife, from kingfishers to herons. The contrast between bustling city life and this serene ecosystem makes for a powerful reflection of Burundi’s diverse offerings.

• Main Destination: Rusizi National Park
• Accommodation: Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika (Mid-range)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Scenic Drive to Gitega – Cultural Heartbeat of the 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari

On day three of your 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari, you’ll journey eastward into Burundi’s central highlands, bound for the cultural capital, Gitega. The drive itself is a picturesque one—passing through lush landscapes, rural communities, and gently rolling hills. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Gitega National Museum, home to a valuable collection of cultural and historical artifacts that illustrate the royal and colonial heritage of the nation.

Next, you’ll be transported through time at the Gishora Drum Sanctuary, one of Burundi’s most sacred and iconic sites. Here, traditionally dressed master drummers perform elaborate drum rituals that are both a spectacle and a spiritual ceremony. These drums were once reserved for kings and are deeply woven into the social and political fabric of Burundian life.

The day ends with a relaxing evening at Hotel Tropitel Gitega, offering peaceful rest and warm hospitality in a culturally rich environment.

• Main Destination: Gitega (City, Burundi)
• Accommodation: Tropitel Hotel (Mid-range)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Karera Falls and Cross-Border Transfer to Kigoma, Tanzania

Your 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari continues with a scenic morning drive to Karera Falls, one of Burundi’s most stunning natural landmarks. Hidden among green hills and tropical flora, the falls cascade over multiple levels, providing an enchanting stop for photography, exploration, and peaceful reflection.

After this refreshing encounter with nature, you’ll journey toward the border of Tanzania, where you’ll be assisted through immigration formalities before continuing to the peaceful lakeside town of Kigoma. Located on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, Kigoma is a tranquil base known for its colonial charm, scenic views, and proximity to major wildlife destinations.

Tonight, you’ll stay at Kigoma Hilltop Lodge, offering panoramic views of the lake, ambient gardens, and freshly prepared cuisine. The lodge is a perfect staging point for your next day’s adventure into the heart of chimpanzee country.

• Main Destination: Kigoma (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: Kigoma Hilltop Hotel (Mid-range)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Historic Ujiji and Boat Transfer to Gombe Stream National Park

On day five of your 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari, immerse yourself in a key chapter of African exploration. Begin the day with a visit to Ujiji, the historical town where Dr. David Livingstone met Henry Morton Stanley in 1871. At the Livingstone Memorial, you’ll step back into a time of daring exploration and cultural exchange, gaining a new appreciation for Africa’s colonial narratives.

By midday, board a boat on Lake Tanganyika for the scenic transfer to Gombe Stream National Park, famed for its dense forests, dramatic terrain, and pioneering chimpanzee research by Dr. Jane Goodall. Gombe may be small in size, but its global reputation for primate conservation makes it a highlight of this journey. Upon arrival, settle into Tanapa Gombe Rest House, your base inside the park. Nestled in nature, the lodge provides simple but comfortable accommodations.

The combination of historical insight and natural immersion makes this day one of the most meaningful in your itinerary.

• Main Destination: Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: TANAPA Gombe Rest House (Budget)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe Stream National Park

This day of the 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari is entirely dedicated to one of Africa’s most intimate wildlife experiences: chimpanzee trekking. After an early breakfast, you’ll set off into the mist-covered forests of Gombe, led by an expert park ranger. These forests are where Dr. Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking work in the 1960s, and they remain one of the best places on Earth to see chimpanzees in the wild.

The trek can vary in difficulty depending on the location of the chimpanzees, but the rewards are unmatched. Observing these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat—interacting, grooming, or simply relaxing—is deeply moving. Gombe is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and over 200 species of birds.

In the afternoon, consider visiting Kakombe Waterfalls, or enjoy a cooling swim in Lake Tanganyika before returning to camp for dinner and storytelling under the stars.

• Main Destination: Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: TANAPA Gombe Rest House (Budget)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Return to Bujumbura via Kigoma

Your return journey begins with a boat ride back to Kigoma, providing one last chance to savor the beauty of Lake Tanganyika. After lunch and a brief rest at Kigoma Hilltop Lodge, your 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari makes its final cross-border return into Burundi. You’ll arrive in Bujumbura by late afternoon and check into Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika.

Spend your evening at leisure—perhaps with a sunset lakeside walk or farewell dinner accompanied by gentle lake breezes. This final night offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the cultural connections made, wildlife encountered, and stories collected along your remarkable 8-day journey.

• Main Destination: Bujumbura (Burundi)
• Accommodation: Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika (Mid-range)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departure from Bujumbura – End of the 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari

The final morning of your 8-Day Burundi Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Safari is left open for leisure. Whether you want to shop for souvenirs in Bujumbura’s local markets or enjoy your last moments beside Lake Tanganyika, the time is yours before we transfer you to Bujumbura International Airport. Our driver will ensure you arrive with plenty of time to check in and reflect on the memories made during your journey across Burundi and Tanzania.

• Main Destination: Bujumbura Airport (Burundi)
• Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
• Meals Included: Breakfast