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Western Tanzania is the least visited part of Tanzania but perhaps the most interesting for travelers with a sense of adventure. Western Tanzania is also where you can see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. There are two parks you can see chimpanzees (see below) but note that children under 12 are usually not allowed to track these primates. |
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| The Parks |
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Gombe Stream National Park
The smallest of all Tanzania’s National Parks, measuring 52 sq kilometers, Gombe Stream is a thin strip of ancient forest set in the mountains and steep valleys on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, made famous by the pioneering British researcher Jane Goodall, who spent many years observing the park’s chimpanzees.The chimpanzees are the main attraction at Gombe Stream, these remarkable mammals are as individually unique as humans and the opportunity to observe them going about their daily lives in their natural habitat is certainly an experience not to be missed.
Although the majority of wildlife to be found at Gombe Stream is primates, in addition to the famous chimpanzees, you may see olive baboons as well as vervet, blue and red-tail monkeys. Leopard and bushbuck are also residents in the dense forest, along with fish eagles and palm-nut vultures that are often seen flying overhead. Gombe Stream is the perfect place for a walking safari, allowing you to cool off along the way with a dip in one of the many streams that criss-cross the park. |
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Mahale Mountains National Park
Set deep in the heart of the African interior, inaccessible by road, Mahale Mountains, like its northerly neighbour Gombe Stream, is home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees: a population of roughly 800, habituated to human visitors by a Japanese research project founded
in the 1960s. Trekking the chimps of Mahale is a magical experience.
The area of 1,613 sq kilometers is also known as Nkungwe, after the park's largest mountain, held sacred by the local Tongwe people, and at 2,460 metres (8,069 ft) the highest of the six prominent points that make up the Mahale Range.
And while chimpanzees are the star attraction, the slopes support a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and a kaleidoscopic array of colourful forest birds.You can trace the Tongwe people's ancient pilgrimage to the mountain spirits, hiking through the montane rainforest belt – home to an endemic race of Angola colobus monkey - to high grassy ridges chequered with alpine bamboo. Then bathe in the impossibly clear waters of the world’s longest, second-deepest and least-polluted freshwater lake – harbouring an estimated 1,000 fish species - before returning as you came, by boat.
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The Itinerary for Gome Stream National Park
Day 1: Depart from Europe to Dar-es-Salaam where you will be met by a Love Live Africa representative and transferred to HOLIDAY INN for overnight and breakfast.
Day 2: After breakfast you will be met by your driver for the transfer to Dar-es-Salaam Airport for your domestic flight to Kigoma. The flight takes 2 ¼ hours and on arrival at Kigoma, you will be met by our representative who will be holding a sign with your names on it. He will transfer you to KIGOMA HILL TOP HOTEL. You will have the afternoon at leisure with dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: After an early breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to Lake Tanganyika for the boat transfer to Gombe Stream National Park. Gombe Stream National Park extends over mountainous terrain climbing from the shores of Lake Tanganyika to the top of the rift escarpment. Your safari begins at Kigoma Town with a boat journey, passing through fishing villages and scenic hills before reaching the park. The boat ride on Tanzania’s largest lake and second deepest in the world, takes 45 minutes (weather dependant). On arrival you will be taken to GOMBE FOREST LODGE where you will be welcomed by the friendly staff and checked into your accommodation. After a mouth watering lunch, the chimp trekking will commence in the afternoon. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: After a delicious breakfast, the camps guides will assist you to explore the diversity of Gombe Stream National Park and you will have the day full activities; including chimpanzee trekking, visiting waterfalls and reaching what is known as Jane’s peak to get beautiful views across the Lake. The trek can take from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the location of the troop of chimpanzees. The groups go up with a maximum of 6 people per group and participants must wear masks.
Day 5: Alas, the final day of your trip has arrived. After breakfast you will be transferred back to Kigoma Hill Top Hotel by boat. There you will enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, en route to the airport you will have time to explore the historic town of Kigoma home to the “Ha” trip and famous for its dagaa fishing and palm oil, as well as being the place where an emissary was sent to trace the whereabouts of the great Dr Livingstone. Your return flight from Kigoma will take you to Dar-es-Salaam where it will be the end of our services.
The Itinerary for Mahale Mountains National Park
Day 1: Depart from Europe to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be met by a Love Live Africa representative and transferred to RIVERTRESS COUNTRY INN for overnight and breakfast.
Day 2: After breakfast you will be met by your driver for your transfer to Arusha Airport for your shared charter flight to Mahale Mountain (Mon only). The flight takes approximately 4 hours. GREYSTOKE MAHALE is a 90 minute dhow trip from the airstrip passing through fishing villages and scenic hills before reaching the park. On arrival you will be welcomed by the friendly staff whom will show you to your luxurious accommodation. After a mouth watering lunch, the chimp trekking will commend in the afternoon. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: After a delicious breakfast, the camps guides will assist you to explore the diversity of Mahale Mountains National Park and you will have the day full activities; including chimpanzee trekking, boating, kayaking, snorkeling and fishing. The trek can take from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the location of the troop of chimpanzees. The groups go up with a maximum of 6 people per group and participants must wear masks.
Day 4: Alas, the final day of your trip has arrived. After breakfast you will be able to enjoy the diverse activities that the camp has to offer. After lunch you will be transferred to the airstrip where you shared private charter will transfer you back to Kilimanjaro Airport to join your international flight. End of services. |
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| The Lodges |
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Holiday Inn (Dar-es-Salaam)
Located a couple of blocks back from the waterfront, in a quiet area of town, the Holiday Inn is really very pleasant. It is around a 30 minute drive from the airport. As a first night it is a very easy start in Africa. As a last night it eases you gently back into the real world after a long hard safari under canvas. |
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Kigoma Hill Top (Kigoma)
Kigoma Hilltop Hotel is a large modern facility located, as its name suggests, on the top of a hill, commanding a view of the harbour entrance of Kigoma.
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Gombe Forest Lodge (Gombe Stream)
Situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Forest Lodge has been designed with every comfort in mind, whilst minimizing the disturbance and impact of such a stunning environment. The camp’s spacious tents, set on wooden platforms, are shaded by huge mango trees along the lakeshore, each tent featuring a writing desk and en-suite facilities with hot and cold running water. |
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Rivertrees Country Inn (Arusha)
Rivertrees Country Inn is a beautiful lodge on the outskirts of Arusha and is located half way between the International Airport at Kilimanjaro and Arusha Town Centre. Overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, Rivertrees is a small family owned hotel with beautiful landscaped gardens and is the perfect way to start or end a safari.
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Greystoke Mahale (Mahale Mountains)
Located on Kangwena Beach on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Greystoke Mahale consist of 6 exotic, wooden bandas which are open fronted with dressing rooms, adjoining bathrooms accessible via short board walk and upstairs chill out deck designed with flair, generosity and passion for the most demanding castaway.
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Prices for 2008 / 2009
Gombe Stream National Park Itinerary
Holiday Inn, Kigoma Hilltop Hotel, Gombe Forest Lodge
Dates |
1 June 08 – 31 Dec 08 |
Accommodation per person in dbl |
USD $2525 |
Cost of Additional Night in Gombe USD $597 |
Inclusions
- Transfers in Dar-es-Salaam as per itinerary in air conditioned vehicles with English speaking driver guide
- Accommodation in Dar-es-Salaam at Holiday Inn on Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Pick up and Drop off from Kigoma Airport
- Full board Accommodation in Kigoma and Gombe
- Domestic return Flights Kigoma – Dar
- Soft Drinks and Beverages at Gombe Forest Camp
- Laundry at Gombe Forest Camp
- Park Entrance Fees
- Chimp Trekking and climb to Kakombe Waterfalls
- Sightseeing in Kigoma Town
- Comprehensive support from our operational office in Tanzania for the duration of the safari
Exclusions
- International Airfare to and from Dar-es-Salaam
- Visa Entrance Fees to Tanzania
- Gratuities to the driver guide suggested at USD $5 - $10 per person per day
- Travel Insurance
- Medical Insurance and Emergency Evacuation Insurance
- Drinks unless stated above as per specific property
- Laundry unless stated above as per specific property
- Purchases of personal nature
- Telephone calls
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Mahale Mountains National Park Itinerary
Rivertrees Country Inn, Greystoke Mahale
Dates |
2 June – 31 Oct
21 Dec – 19 Mar |
1 Nov – 20 Dec |
Accommodation per person in dbl |
USD $3987 |
USD $3591 |
Inclusions
- Transfers in Arusha as per itinerary in 4x4 vehicles with English speaking driver guide
- Accommodation in Arusha at Rivertrees Country Inn on Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Pick up and Drop off from airstrip at Mahale
- Full board Accommodation at Mahale
- Shared Charterd Flights Arusha – Mahale - JRO
- All drinks except champagne at Mahale
- Laundry at Mahale
- Park Entrance Fees
- Chimp Trekking
- Boating, Kayaking, Fishing and snorkelling
- Comprehensive support from our operational office in Tanzania for the duration of the safari
Exclusions
- International Airfare to and from Kilimanjaro
- Visa Entrance Fees to Tanzania
- Gratuities to the driver guide suggested at USD $5 - $10 per person per day
- Travel Insurance
- Medical Insurance and Emergency Evacuation Insurance
- Drinks at Rivertrees Country Inn
- Laundry at Rivertrees Country Inn
- Purchases of personal nature
- Telephone calls
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Children under 12 years are not permitted to go Chimp Trekking
- Please ensure clients travel with soft luggage weighing no more that 15 kgs per piece (maximum 1 piece of luggage)
- Whilst we make every effort to honor the above rates, we reserve the right to change them when circumstances dictate.
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