Western Tanzania

MTT Safari Destinations 2009/2010

As fantastic as the Serengeti is, there is far more to Tanzania. Now you can access Western Tanzania's star attractions - the empty wilderness that is Katavi National Park and the chimpanzees of Mahale National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika - from Arusha, safari hub of the northern circuit.

Itinerary:
Depart Monday
Shared charter flight Arusha - Katavi National Park
3 nights Katuma Bush Lodge
Full board plus game drives
Depart Thursday
Shared charter flight Katavi National Park - Mahale National Park
4 nights at Kungwe Beach Lodge
Full board basis plus one chimpanzee trek, forest walks, snorkelling, kayaking
Depart Monday
Shared charter flight Mahale National Park - Arusha

www.mbalimbali.com

Mahale National Park and its chimpanzees make a wonderful stand‐alone extension to any northern circuit safari. Depart Arusha Thursday for Mahale National Park and the Kungwe Beach Lodge and return Monday. Both Katavi and Mahale Lodges are closed March 1st to May 15th due to the rains. High season is May through December.

Gombe Stream National Park, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika but to Mahale's north, is the site of Dr Jane Goodall's chimpanzee research dating back to the 60s and one of the world's longest continuous animal studies. For a long while there were few facilities for visitors. Now there is the Gombe Forest Lodge. Getting there requires flying to the town of Kigoma and taking a boat from there. I spent a glorious week there years ago as the guest of the Jane Goodall Institute. I stayed in Jane's house which was very satisfying. Big and brawny Frodo was the alpha male at the time. My suggestion for anyone interested in travel to either Gombe or Mahale is to get into good physical shape. The chimps live in forested mountains which rise vertically it seems from the lake. You need to climb these to get to the chimps. When the chimpanzees move, they can disappear quickly, and you need to scramble after them to keep up. It is all part of this particular adventure. Sunsets from the lake shore are sublime. In fact, Lake Tanganyika's beauty spoiled me for any other lake in Africa. I am still trying to find one which can better it. The lodge is closed February 15th to May 15th due to the rains. High season is May through December.

27-05-2009