west tanzania wildlife and chimpanzee safaris katavi, mahale mountains, gombe stream

WEST TANZANIA SAFARIS

Western Tanzania has probably the last wildlife destinations in East and South Africa that can claim to be ‘undiscovered’ by mainstream tourism. This is largely due to the remote locations and expense of reaching Katavi and Mahale Mountains, but for those who make the journey both Katavi and Mahale exceed all expectations.

Safaris to Katavi National Park are breathtaking mainly due to the realization that you are totally out of the realm of human habitation – this is the domain of vast herds of wildlife and expanses of untouched Africa. For the fantasy of Africa as seen through the eyes of the explorers of old visit Katavi before the scheduled flights start going in.

Tracking chimpanzees in the forests of Mahale Mountains is a humbling experience as you come face to face with man’s closest relative. There are very few areas left in Africa where it is possible to track chimpanzees in the wild and the location of Mahale Mountains National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika is surely one of the most atmospheric in Africa.

Private charter flights from Arusha and Dar es Salaam are available and a combination of both of the below itineraries is arguably the most rewarding wildlife experience in Tanzania.

2006 has seen the introduction of regular shared charter flight services connecting Arusha-Mahale-Katavi-Arusha with flight departures on Tuesdays and Fridays making this western circuit more accessable than ever before.

Best times to visit both parks are May-October, although Mahale is open year round and from November to February attracts a huge variety of migrant birds.

To maximise your time in west Tanzania combining a safari in Katavi, chimpanzee tracking in Mahale, then relaxation on Lupita Island on Lake Tanganyika is a highly recommended combination.

Day 1 Fri Fly Arusha-Katavi, o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 2. Sat Game drives and optional walking safari in Katavi N.P., o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 3. Sun Game drives and optional walking safari in Katavi N.P., o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 4. Mon Game drives and optional walking safari in Katavi N.P., o/n Palahala, Katavi Wildlife Camp or Katume Tented Camp

Day 5. Tues Fly Katavi-Mahale, boat transfer to Mahale Mountains N.P., , o/n Nkungwe Tented Camp

Day 6 Wed Chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, dhow trips, snorkeling, o/n Nkungwe Tented Camp

Day 7 Thurs Chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, dhow trips, snorkeling, o/n Nkungwe Tented Camp

Day 9. Sat Relax at Lupita Island, fishing, spa, snorkelling, boat cruises, o/n Lupita Island

Day 10. Sun Relax at Lupita Island, fishing, spa, snorkelling, boat cruises, o/n Lupita Island

Day 11. Mon Relax at Lupita Island, fishing, spa, snorkelling, boat cruises, o/n Lupita Island

For those with a sense of adventure the road trip from Dar es Salaam through the southern highlands and from Mbeya and Sumbawanga to Katavi is a true safari!
Please ask for details.

Gombe Stream National Park is 16km of Kigoma Town in Western Tanzania. The park occupies 52sq/km of land. It is the smallest National Park in Tanzania. Gombe was gazetted in 1945. It was made famous by British researcher Jane Goodall and was granted National Park status in 1969.

The beauty of Gombe National Park is unique. It is a park without roads where you can walk and experience nature with all your senses. All Game Viewing at the Park is done on foot. The biggest attraction of the Park is the highly habituated chimpanzees but there is a large number of Olive Baboons and different species of Monkeys such as Red Colobus, Blue monkeys etc. The Park has roughly 100 – 150 Chimpanzees. The birdlife is extraordinary and more than 200 species of birds have been recorded at the Park.

Be warned that Gombe charges the highest fees of any park anywhere in Africa but nothing can prepare you for an encounter with Chimps.

The best times to visit is during the dry season which is between May to October and during the short rains of January and February.
The park can be visited as a day trip from Kigoma by speedboat or it is also possible to spend the night there, please ask for details.

Kigoma is in the Western Province of Tanzania and it is a laidback and attractive little town. The streets are lined up with small stores and street traders. Touring around the fish markets, shops and stalls gives a pleasant insight into small town life in the west of Tanzania.

A MOONLIGHT CRUISE can be organized from Kigoma Hilltop on the Lake at night inclusive of a full course meal on the boat but is only possible when the Lake weather conditions are favorable.

It was to Kigoma that the legendary steamer, the MV Liemba, was brought by rail by the Germans during the World War I which was assembled there and used as a military expedition ship against the British forces. The Liemba still winds its lazy way from Kigoma down Lake Tanganyika to Zambia today.

It is the last place that Europe and America sent an emissary to trace the whereabouts of the great Scientist, Missionary and Explorer, Dr Livingstone and tours to Ujiji includes a visit to Dr Livingstone’s Memorial.