PRICE STARTS.....!

12 DAYS SAANANE→ RUBONDO→ GOMBE → MAHALE NATIONAL PARK

This package, the western tourist circuit of Tanzania has plenty to offer you, the only place in Tanzania where you can catch a glimpse of the very closest genetic human relative, the chimpanzees, visit and sail on the secluded and less visited destinations this gives you the feel of being immersed in the African wild, less congested, pure untouched wilderness, privacy and total enjoyments. There are plenty of wildlife to see both flora and fauna, highlights of this trip include chimpanzee trekking, canoeing, swimming, sundowners, bonfire, and barbeques along the great lake’s beaches, walking safaris, boating safaris, bird watching and many more. It is a trip which will evoke your emotions and relives you from stress, plan your trip wisely and enjoy to the fullest what nature has to offer.

ITINERARY DETAILS

DAY 1

Upon your arrival at JULIUS KAMBARAGE NYERERE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JKIA), KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JRO), or from the hotel in Dar es Salaam you will be met at 08:00am by a member of DASSIE SAFARIS team who will transfer you by air to MWANZA AIRPORT, upon arrival you will be met again by a member of DASSIE SAFARIS team who will transfer you by road to MALAIKA BEACH RESORT, Ilemela Mwanza. Enjoy meals and overnight stay at the hotel. What we love about MALAIKA BEACH HOTEL is its tranquility, the gateway to Serengeti, its stunning views over the shoreline of Lake Victoria, local cuisine, light gourmet as well as continental-style breakfast are served by her professional staff.
Evening walks along the Lake Victoria may be arranged.

DAY 2

SAANANE ISLAND NATIONAL PARK After a hearty breakfast at the hotel at around 08:00 am, transfer to SAANANE PARK with lunch at picnic site, after lunch do a short game viewing in the park then transfer again to ASILIA RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP for dinner and overnight stay. Located 2km southwest from the city center, covering an area of 2.1km2. Saanane island national park is the smallest of the Tanzania national parks. It is the only park which was accidentally bombed, it was established to promote interest and conservation, education in wildlife and promote recreation to the people of Mwanza town, Tanzania as well as international visitors. In 1964 it was established as the first zoo in Tanzania. Between 1964 & 1966 different species of wild animals were ferried to the island and today the park is teemed with wildlife, the animals include Dik diks, eland, impala, bushbuck, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, warthogs, porcupine, monkeys, clawless otter, Crocodiles, tortoise, agama lizard, rock hyrax, pythons and over 40 species of both resident and migratory avian species are commonly observed in the island. The park forms spectacular scenery over Mwanza south and Lake Victoria. What we do love about ASILIA RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP is its lakefront location, quality and reliable services, the camps do immerse visitors in the unique ecosystem of an area untouched by man.

DAY 3

RUBONDO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK After a hearty breakfast at the camp at around 08:00am, start a full day excursion within this magnificent island park with lunch at picnic site, after lunch do a short excursion then embark to camp for dinner and overnight stay. Rubondo Island is one of the most unique African destinations, it is the largest known Africa’s island national park, though it does protect 11 islets, none much larger than 2km2. Its evergreen, the main island has a total area of 240km2 and measures 28km north-south and 10km east-west width, though the islands total area including the 11 islets is 457km2. Set at an altitude of 1486m along the MASA HILLS making it the parks highest point. Rubondo today is uninhabited 80% of the island remains forested with a variety of vegetation types ranging from grasslands, acacia woodlands, rocky areas and sand beaches with each habitat hosting a variety of wild animals. Lake Victoria itself is a bilharzia free lake and swimming is reputedly safe at least at the beaches in front of the lodge or camp though crocodiles occasionally swim past the beaches, so be careful before leap in water. The park has a pleasant climate making your trip a rewarding one with full of enjoyment and memorable memories. Popular activities include boat excursions, walking safaris, bird watching, canoe trips, sport fishing, swimming etc.

DAY 4

KIGOMA TOWN After a hearty breakfast at the camp at around 08:00 am, start a half day excursion game in the RUBONDO ISLAND PARK with lunch at the camp, after lunch relax for an hour then transfer to KIGOMA HILLTOP HOTEL in KIGOMA. Enjoy meals and overnight stay at the hotel. What we love about the KIGOMA HILLTOP HOTEL is that it’s a perfect place to relax, wonderful inviting atmosphere, offering every modern comfort for the weary traveler, has private verandas, bubbling staff, and breathtaking good views across Lake Tanganyika.
Relax and enjoy your stay.

DAY 5-8

GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK Gombe stream national park is one of the Tanzania’s smallest parks covering a total area 56km2, established in 1968. Its located 16km north of Kigoma town, in the north-western part of Tanzania, the park consists of a narrow mountainous strip of country stretching for some 16km along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and running inland about 5km to the peaks of the mountain range forming the rift escarpment. Many steep-sided valleys and ravines intersect the mountain, a number of which support permanent streams. Gombe stream national is a small park but it’s famously known for its prolific primate species, the most notable being the CHIMPANZEES (PAN TROGLODYTES SCHWEINFURTHII), these primates have been studied ever since 1960 to date, other primate species includes olive baboon, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkey, vervet monkey, two nocturnal bush babies among others. The park is rich in both flora and fauna, over 35 faunal species, over 250 avian species and reptiles are among the eye-catching attractions.
After a hearty breakfast at KIGOMA HILLTOP HOTEL at around 08:00am transfer to a full day excursion at GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK, with lunch at picnic site, after lunch do a short game viewing then proceed to MBALI MBALI LODGE. Enjoy meals and overnight stay at lodge.
What we love about the lodge is that it’s set in the shade of ancient forest trees by the shores of Lake Tanganyika, it offers complete privacy, with a small lodge library, professional staff, quality services and breathtaking views. 3 full days excursion will give you more than a chance to set your eyes on the glossy coats of the great apes the chimps either huddling together, hunting, bounding into trees or even swing from branch to branch. The trip highlights include chimpanzee tracking main activity, hiking, swimming, fishing, lakeshore walks, visiting Kakombe and Mkenke waterfalls, taking in scenic views from JANE’S PEAK, bird watching, boating safaris, canoeing and many more.

DAY 8-10

MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Mahale mountains national park, like its northerly neighbor Gombe stream national park all found in the western tourist circuit of Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, about 900 species, it is 100km south of Kigoma town, 50km along Lake Tanganyika where it forms an arch. The mountain ridge is about 50km in length running from north to south. It’s one of the largest mountains chain in western Tanzania. Mahale mountains has got 7 peaks stand above 2000m with the highest being NKUNGWE at 2462m above the sea level.
Of all the areas along Lake Tanganyika, Mahale mountains national park is one of the richest in topographical variation and the spectacular western slopes of the main ridge drop precipitously down to the lake, creating splendid scenic harmony with the Tanganyika waters. The park has an area of 1613km2 divided into two zones the low use zone 24%of the total area (387.12km2) and the wilderness zone 76% of the total area (1225.88km2). the park is teemed with primate species the CHIMPANZEES (pan troglodytes verus) and other primate species include the lesser and greater galago, sky monkey, olive baboon, angolan pied colobus, western red colobus, vervet monkey, other animal species include porcupines, mongoose, buffalo, leopard, sun squirrel, bird’s species, reptiles, insects etc. The highlights of this trip include chimpanzees tracking, walking safaris, bird watching, swimming, boating, canoeing, camping, snorkeling, fishing and visiting the Tongwe sacred site plus mountain climbing and picnicking.
Mahale is a unique park because of its botanogeographical terms in that it’s a meeting place of natural scenic grandeur of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale mountain range, the DRC rain forest and the Tabora Miombo Woodlands. The only park in Tanzania affording the opportunity to observe together a wide variety of wildlife with home-lands in eastern, western and southern Africa. After a hearty breakfast at MBALI MBALI LODGE, GOMBE at around 08:00am, transfer to MBALI MBALI LODGE, MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK with lunch within, do a half day excursion then embark to lodge for dinner and overnight stay. What we love about the lodge is that its luxurious, ideally positioned along the beach next to the Mahale forest with breathtaking views of the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, guest can enjoy sundowners around a crackling fire or a candlelit barbeque served on the beach. The perfect way to fall asleep in a unique African style is the chirping of the crickets and the hooting of the Mahale chimpanzees.

DAY 11

KIGOMA HISTORICAL TOWN TOUR After a hearty breakfast at the lodge at around 08:00am, transfer to KIGOMA HILLTOP HOTEL, conduct a town tour in this historical town of Kigoma, UJIJI is the oldest historical town, found 10km south of Kigoma, a famous site of the famous meeting on 28/10/1871 when Henry Stanley found Dr. David Livingstone and reputedly uttered the famous words “Dr. Livingstone I Presume”. They met while searching for the source of river Nile. Enjoy meals and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 12

DEPARTURE After a hearty breakfast at the hotel at around 08:00am, transfer to Kigoma airstrip catch a domestic flight to DAR ES SALAAM or KIA, and connect with your international flight back home. End of services NB: the same itinerary can be extended to northern and southern tourist circuit or Zanzibar.