Chimpanzee Lodges
Chimpanzees are found in the western part of Tanzania, in two of the most remote National Parks of Tanzania, beautifully located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika – namely, Gombe Stream National Park at 52 km² and then Mahale Mountains National Park at 1600 km². Gombe Forest Lodge is about 26km directly north and Mahale lodges are about 140 kms directly south, of Kigoma town.
Mahale Mountains National Park has been described as “Quite simply one
of the most beautiful parks anywhere in Africa” – a lakeshore with fine
powder-white sand on the beach leading onto the tropical vegetated forest
rising into the imposing Mahale mountains rising up to 2460 metres
altitude. The forest and the flowing streams are home of over 1000
chimpanzees with the M-group having around 56 chimps in their troop.
Like Gombe Park, some chimps have become habituated to human visitors
and wearing surgical masks when you get close to them is required.
Getting to Mahale is best on the Monday or Thursday flight from Arusha
or from Dar via Selous Reserve. Once at the Mahale airstrip, we transfer you by motor-boat to either the Kungwe Beach Lodge or the more well known Greystoke Mahale Lodge- both located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika with the chimpanzee populated Mahale Mountain forest surrounding them on 3 sides.
Gombe has one lodge constructed on the lake shore in amongst the forest, and it takes about 2 hours by road & boat from the Kigoma Airport. Jane Goodall founded the Chimpanzee research program here in 1960. There are three groups of chimps found in the Gombe Park – and this lodge although the Park is less dramatic than Mahale, it is a more economic option to enjoy watching chimps and other primates. There are a few flights a week to Kigoma from Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
Tracking the chimpanzee through the rainforest covered slopes of Africa is an experience one must not miss! Trekking through the forests is sweaty and tiring, ranging from anything between 20 minutes and 4 hrs, but spending an hour (or two if you are lucky) watching these amazing primates awaiting the sudden upshot of a monkey-hunt or the pant hoots of their frenetic communication is worth it. Tracking chimpanzees is easier during the wet-season when they don't roam too far (but not good for electronic cameras!!) But the dry season during July to October is better for taking photographs, when the foliage is less dense. (The ground is not as slippery in the drier season, nor as hot & humid - and less tsetse flies.) December is also a good time to visit. (There is talk to limit chimpanzee visits to 6 people per day - so be sure to visit this exciting area before the very restictive regulations come into place. July 2011)
