Issa Valley Game Control

Issa Valley Game Reserve.
A Hidden Wilderness of Discovery

Tucked between the Mahale Mountains and Ugalla River ecosystems in western Tanzania, the Issa Valley Game Reserve is a remote and biologically rich haven—one of the few places on Earth where you can observe chimpanzees, savanna elephants, and woodland antelopes within the same landscape.

This highland valley is a mosaic of miombo woodland, gallery forests, and open plains, and is a leading destination for eco-conscious travelers, researchers, and those seeking truly off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Chimpanzee Tracking
Savannah Chimps

Issa Valley is renowned for its wild chimpanzee population, studied for over two decades by international primatologists. Unlike the lush forests of Mahale, the chimps here range across a savanna-woodland mosaic, offering rare opportunities to witness their adaptive behavior in a semi-open environment. Trekking alongside experienced guides, you’ll follow their vocalizations and footprints through wild terrain—an unforgettable encounter in one of Africa’s least disturbed chimpanzee habitats.

Wildlife Encounters

Issa’s unique ecology supports both forest and savanna species, making wildlife sightings diverse and dynamic. Expect to encounter:

Elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes

Bushbucks, hartebeests, and greater kudus

Elusive carnivores like leopards, hyenas, and African wild dogs

Because of its remoteness and low visitor traffic, Issa offers a pristine and uncrowded safari experience, perfect for photographers and conservation enthusiasts.

Ecological Tours
Nature Walks

Nature Walks & Ecological Tours

Explore Issa Valley on guided walks led by researchers and expert trackers. Learn about plant-animal interactions, identify unique species, and discover how life thrives in this transitional landscape between forest and savanna. These immersive walks offer both scientific insight and soul-stirring natural beauty.

Birdwatching

Issa is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 350 species recorded in the valley. Its diverse habitats attract:

Böhm’s bee-eater

Racket-tailed roller

Miombo pied barbet

African broadbill

Whether you’re a casual birder or an ornithologist, the dawn chorus in Issa is nothing short of magical.

Research & Conservation Tourism
Save the last standing chimps

Issa Valley is home to the Ugalla Primate Project, a long-term research station focused on great apes and biodiversity conservation. Chimps Camps offers opportunities for conservation-minded guests to engage with researchers, join data collection sessions, and gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem through science-based travel.

Remote Camping

Stay in mobile camps or basic eco-lodges situated deep within the valley, surrounded by uninterrupted nature. Wake to the call of colobus monkeys, dine under the stars, and sleep with the sounds of the African wilderness echoing around you. Issa’s camping experience is rustic, raw, and entirely unforgettable.

Survival Tours
Learn the Art of Wilderness Living

For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, Issa Valley offers immersive Survival Tours—guided, hands-on experiences that teach guests essential bushcraft and survival skills. Led by local experts and wilderness guides, these tours blend traditional knowledge with modern survival techniques, giving you the tools to read the landscape, find water, build shelter, and live off the land.

During this adventure, you’ll learn how to:

Track animals and interpret signs in the wild

Identify edible plants and natural medicinal remedies

Use natural navigation and make basic tools

Set up minimal-impact bush shelters

Build fires without matches or lighters

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Issa’s remote miombo woodlands and savanna hills, this tour is not only educational—it’s deeply empowering. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a first-time explorer, the Survival Tour reconnects you with the raw skills humans have used for centuries to thrive in the wild.

Perfect for small groups, families, or adventurous travelers, this experience is customizable to different comfort and fitness levels.

Why Visit Issa Valley Game Reserve?
Know How - Start your Journey

Why Visit Issa Valley Game Reserve?

Unspoiled and rarely visited—a true escape into wild Africa

One-of-a-kind chimpanzee tracking in a savanna-forest mosaic

Home to pioneering scientific research and conservation efforts

Ideal for photographers, birders, naturalists, and adventurous souls

Begin Your Issa Valley Journey

Whether you’re tracking chimps, walking through wild miombo, or simply soaking in the stillness, Issa Valley offers a safari experience like no other—intimate, educational, and deeply moving.

Chimps Camps welcomes you to explore this last frontier of Western Tanzania. Book your Issa adventure today and be part of something truly extraordinary.