KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
​
​
Katavi National Park lies south of the Mahale Mountains on a high flood plain surrounding Lake Katavi. It is one of the most difficult parks to access and is strictly for those of an adventurous spirit, but it has excellent game viewing with a real wilderness atmosphere. July to October are the best months to visit the park. The water of the park shelters crocodile, hippopotamus and large flocks of pelicans. The diverse woodland, acacia bush, lakes and swamps have attracted over 400 species of birds.
GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK
​
​
On the shores of Lake Tanganika, this is the smallest park in Tanzania covering only 52 square kilometres but it offers visitors the rare chance to observe the chimpanzee communities made famous by British explorer Jane Goodall. A number of monkey species can also be seen. The area is heavily forested, making it an unsuitable habitat for carnivores - so the park is safe for walking safaris. There are rewarding sites for birdwatchers.
MAHALE MOUNTAINS
NATIONAL PARK
​
This park offers the other sanctuary of the chimpanzee, which is reached by boat from Kigoma, in the west of Tanzania.
Covering an area of 1613 square kilometres, its western boundary is the shore of Lake Tanganika. The chimpanzee population of the park is estimated at about 1000, which can be seen in troupes of between 5 and 30 at a time, in their natural habitat. Other primates such as baboon and Colobus monkey, elephant, buffalo, bushpig, porcupine and other animals are found in the north, while to the south live various antelope species, lion and giraffe.