Institute of Human Origins Primates Tour
An adventure with our closest mammal relatives unlike any trip experience!
Experience field treks and behind-the-scenes research tours led by primatologist Ian Gilby, a long-time researcher who studies chimpanzees at Gombe National Park—Jane Goodall’s original research site. The tour will visit Tanzanian colobus monkeys and the Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Dian Fossey Center and trek to see mountain gorillas.
In Arusha, Tanzania, you will visit the opening of “Dr. Jane’s Dream” at the Cultural Center on World Chimpanzee Day, July 14, 2025, an immersive spectacle by former Walt Disney Imagineers and African artisans celebrating Goodall, the groundbreaking primatologist and environmental activist. (We are hoping that Goodall will attend this event.) The New York Times said about the exhibition, "She (Goodall) has never been presented like this—in an immersive tribute by African artists and Disney veterans. Disney has called Imagineering the 'blending of creative imagination with technical know-how.' But 'Dr. Jane’s Dream' is not a Disney project; rather, it taps into storytelling techniques by some of its former innovators."
Not only will you have intimate encounters with these incredible primates, but a safari day at Ngorongoro Crater—home to nearly all of Tanzania's diverse animal species including the “Big Five”—lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and wildebeest.
Full itinerary
July 8–Arrivals in Dar Es Salaam, transfer to hotel. (dinner)
July 9–Early morning checkout, depart at 8:30 am to connect a flight departing at 10:50 am to Kigoma, arriving at Kigoma around 1:00 pm. Enjoy lunch (pay direct) at Kigoma Hill Top, before catching the boat to Mbali Mbali Gombe Camp. (breakfast, dinner)
July 10–Full day trekking to see chimpanzees at Gombe National Park and behind-the scenes at the research labs at the Gombe Research site. Night at Mbali Mbali Gombe Camp (full board)
July 11–Full day trekking to see chimpanzees at Gombe National Park. Night at Mbali Mbali Gombe Camp (full board)
July 12–Enjoy the morning at Gombe National Park. Head to Kigoma Hill Top in time for lunch (pay direct). Spend the day resting and explore the town of Kigoma. Night at Kigoma Hill Top. (breakfast)
July 13–After breakfast, check out and head to Kigoma Airport to catch a flight (departure at 8:10 am) to Kilimanjaro (via Dar Es Salem). Arrive Kilimanjaro at 1:40 pm. Transfer to the hotel, Gran Melia Arusha. (half board)
July14–After breakfast, visit the “Dr. Jane’s Dream” exhibition at the Cultural Heritage Center for the opening ceremony. After the event, return to Gran Melia Arusha. (half board)
July 15–After breakfast, checkout and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Enjoy a Tree Top Canopy walk before continuing with game drive in the park. Around 2:00 pm depart and drive to Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. (full board)
July 16–Full day Ngorongoro Crater safari tour. Night at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (full board)
July 17–After breakfast, depart to Arusha National Park to see the blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys, along with other wildlife. Early afternoon, drop off to Arusha Serena. (full board)
July 18–Transfer to Kilimanjaro Intl Airport around 11:00 am to catch a flight to Kigali, Rwanda, departing at 3:10 PM. Arrive Kigali around 5:00 pm and overnight at the Hotel de Mille Collines. (dinner)
July 19–After breakfast, checkout and drive to Volcanos National Park to the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Check in and after lunch, visit the Dian Fossey Center. Ian Gilby has arranged for a behind-the-scenes lab experience with his colleagues studying the mountain gorillas. Return to the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. (full board)
July 20–Early morning with packed breakfast, head to the park office for a briefing before heading for the gorilla trek. The trek will spend a maximum of one hour sitting with the gorillas before being guided back to the start. Return to the lodge in time for a day at leisure or visit the Ellen Degeneres campus. Enjoy your dinner at the lodge. (full board)
July 21–Checkout and transfer to the Kigali airport for an afternoon flight (international check-ins should be after 1:00 pm). Those travelers who need an extra night/or a late-night flight can take a room at a hotel in Kigali but will pay extra for their room and airport transfer.*
Costs Per Person*
Per Person—sharing a room: US $15,715
Per Person—single room: US $17,765
The costs of the trip—
Includes
- All park fees, concession fees, government taxes and VAT
- All permits for chimpanzee trekking, Ngorongoro Crater floor safari, and gorilla trekking
- All vehicle, boat, and domestic flight transfers as per itinerary
- One-way economy flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kigali International Airport
- Meals and excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
Excludes
- International flights into Dar es Salaam and out of Kigali International Airport
- Any airport Taxes (if applicable—for now nonapplicable)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (drinks, snacks, local purchases, laundry, telephones calls/local sim etc.)
- Additional night in Kigali* (on July 21) if required, to connect your international flight on July 22, 2025
- Zanzibar Add On Excursion.
- Hotel/porter tips/ gratituities
- Safari guides and trekking guides tips/ gratituities
*If additional day room or night in Kigali is required to depart on July 22: US $200/person sharing plus US $80 airport transfer
Deposit—A deposit of 30% or $4,715 will confirm your place on the tour.
Pre-Trip Extension—Zanzibar and Jozani Forest
Two nights in Zanzibar prior to above package
- Visit Jozani Forest colobus monkeys and a Stone Town Tour
- Additional cost: US $1,500/per person sharing
- Additional Dar Es Salam airport transfer: US $60/car (max 3 adults)
Charitable Contribution*
*The Institute of Human Origins organizes these trips as friend and fund-raising ventures, and so requests a donation of $2,500 per person payable to the ASU Foundation to benefit research, student scholarships, and public outreach for the ASU Institute of Human Origins through the ASU Foundation for a New American University.
To sign up or for questions—Contact
Julie Russ
jruss@asu.edu
Aubree Morrissey
aubree.morrissey@asu.edu