Nahum Joshua Nnko
Gombe Wild Chimp Safari
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
US
Email Ana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We felt scammed
My son, daughter-in-law and I made a deposit to Gombe wild chimpanzee safari for 3 days chimpanzee trekking, one month prior to departure our flight to Kigoma was canceled, we requested 50% refund of the deposit we have made per their refund policy, Joshua the owner never responded and he keeps ignoring us. Please do not book with this company.
Reply from Gombe Wild Chimp Safari
Posted on Oct 14, 2025Hello Ana,
My name is Joshua.
You indeed booked a tour with us, and your son Oscar is the one who booked it. I contacted Oscar, and I told him everything about what happened. I didn't ignore your emails, or we had no intention of refusing to refund 50% of your discount; no, the issue was that our original email address we were using for communication had a challenge where if anyone wrote an email to us, the message would not be seen inbox/Spam or anywhere else. I contacted Oscar via another email address in order to make sure everything was fine. So finally, the money was refunded on time, and your son admitted that he had received it.
So I apologise for all that happened, Gombe Wild Chimp Safari are not a scammer, we respect our customers and give them great value because our customers are kings.
Kindly see our conversation below.
Hello Oscar,
Sorry for being silent for a long time. I am using this email address because the original email address we were using to communicate has been having problems receiving emails for a long time now. Once someone sends us an email, we don't receive it because not seen in the INBOX. It's a problem that has been bothering us for about a month without us knowing.
We ask for your forgiveness if you have written many emails that have not reached us and have not been answered/replied to. So I admit that the problem was a technical problem and not me or our company, and that is why, after discovering this challenge, I thought it would be better for us to continue communicating at this new email address while our IT continues to resolve the problem.
According to the refund, you paid $490.9
50% of that amount is $245.45. This is the amount we should refund you.
How can we send this amount?
You can also contact me on WhatsApp number +255756066577.
Thank you very much, and sorry for the inconvenience caused.
POP
2025-10-07 23:18:30.030 LocalOutAcks-7189-002129
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Date : 2025-10-07T00:00:00.000+03:00
Amount : #USD245.45#
:33B: USD245.45
:50K: Ordering Customer-Name & Address
0250430851900
GOMBE WILD CHIMP SAFARI
MJI MWEMA STREET KIGOMA, TANZAN 255
:59: Beneficiary Customer-Name & Addr
1355922703
OSCAR ALVARENGA
1680 CAPITAL ONE MCLEAN VA 22102 US, A
:70: Remittance Information
REFUND
:71A: Details of Charges
SHA
:71F: USDUSD46,61
Oscar Alvarenga
Fri, Oct 10, 1:25 AM (4 days ago)
to me
Yes, I received it. Thank you for refunding it.
Sent from my iPhone
US
Email Oscar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unresponsive and elusive
I was in contact with the owner Joshua throughout the process. I inquired about a 3 day chimpanzee trekking tour with 2 other travelers. I liked the itinerary and made a deposit. I had various questions and he was unresponsive. I had to follow up 2 or 3 times for him to respond which he was a red flag. My flight into Kigoma was canceled, so I should have been able to request a 50% refund of the deposit I made per their refund policy , as it was over 30 days prior to the trip. When I requested it, He never responded. I followed up various times without a response. Effectively, the refund I was owed was not given to me. I do not recommend this company if you plan on going on holiday unless you want to deal with an unresponsive and elusive owner.
Reply from Gombe Wild Chimp Safari
Posted on Oct 14, 2025Hello Oscar.
I think the review is not okay for us because we respect our customers and are not SCAMMERS.
I contacted Oscar, and I told him everything about what happened. I didn't ignore HIS emails, or we had no intention of refusing to refund 50% of your discount; no, the issue was that our original email address we were using for communication had a challenge where if anyone wrote an email to us, the message would not be seen inbox/Spam or anywhere else. I contacted Oscar via another email address in order to make sure everything was fine. So finally, the money was refunded on time, and HE admitted that he had received it.
So I apologise for all that happened, Gombe Wild Chimp Safari are not a scammer, we respect our customers and give them great value because our customers are kings.
Kindly see our conversation below.
Hello Oscar,
Sorry for being silent for a long time. I am using this email address because the original email address we were using to communicate has been having problems receiving emails for a long time now. Once someone sends us an email, we don't receive it because not seen in the INBOX. It's a problem that has been bothering us for about a month without us knowing.
We ask for your forgiveness if you have written many emails that have not reached us and have not been answered/replied to. So I admit that the problem was a technical problem and not me or our company, and that is why, after discovering this challenge, I thought it would be better for us to continue communicating at this new email address while our IT continues to resolve the problem.
According to the refund, you paid $490.9
50% of that amount is $245.45. This is the amount we should refund you.
How can we send this amount?
You can also contact me on WhatsApp number +255756066577.
Thank you very much, and sorry for the inconvenience caused.
POP
2025-10-07 23:18:30.030 LocalOutAcks-7189-002129
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
--------------------- Instance Type and Transmission ---------------------
Notification (Transmission) of Original sent to SWIFT(ACK)
Network Delivery Status : Network Ack
Priority/Delivery : Normal
Message Input Reference : 2318 251007CORUTZTZXXXX7189002129
----------------------------- Message Header -----------------------------
Swift Input :FIN MT103 Single Customer Credit Transfer
Sender : CORUTZTZXXXX
Receiver : CHASUS33XXXX
FIN Copy Service :
------------------------------- Message Text -----------------------------
:20: Sender's Reference
HZ1J6VE01GLE7AF4
:23B: Bank Operation Code
CRED
:32A: Val Date/Curr/Interbnk Settld Amnt
Date : 2025-10-07T00:00:00.000+03:00
Amount : #USD245.45#
:33B: USD245.45
:50K: Ordering Customer-Name & Address
0250430851900
GOMBE WILD CHIMP SAFARI
MJI MWEMA STREET KIGOMA, TANZAN 255
:59: Beneficiary Customer-Name & Addr
1355922703
OSCAR ALVARENGA
1680 CAPITAL ONE MCLEAN VA 22102 US, A
:70: Remittance Information
REFUND
:71A: Details of Charges
SHA
:71F: USDUSD46,61
Oscar Alvarenga
Fri, Oct 10, 1:25 AM (4 days ago)
to me
Yes, I received it. Thank you for refunding it.
Sent from my iPhone
CA
Email Victoria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience!
As a solo female traveller I try my best to research operators and itineraries. That said- I am notoriously a last minute booker.
Gombe Safaris took on my very last minute request and fulfilled all/any expectations. Communication was concise and prompt. I felt the price was fair and competitive for the region and experience. The food was delicious (large portions and variety! As a vegetarian they had no issue accommodating my meals.
I stayed in the mid range tent in the National Park and was more than comfortable. Transport was safe and without issue.
The chimp trekking experienced was flawless. Considering I only had one full day (I had a late flight the day before that got me into the park after dark), I feel like I was able to experience the true heart of Gombe.
It was inspiring to see first hand the decades of chimpanzee conservation efforts thriving. Overall a really memorable experience. I wish my schedule allowed me to stay longer but I was thankful that I found an operator to take me on a last minute customizable journey.
US
Email Theresa | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely Amazing!!!
There are not enough adjectives to describe my safari experience. It was absolutely amazing, and by far one of the best experiences I have had in my lifetime. I booked a Chimpanzee Trek with Joshua from Gombe Wild Chimp Safaris for my 65th birthday. Joshua responded very quickly to any questions and I had and made the planning of this trip very easy, from start to finish. He even reached out to me after I had returned home to insure everything was satisfactory.
My guide, Samje, was waiting for me upon my arrival at the Kigoma Airport was and was available to me throughout the 4 day safari. After a 2 hour boat ride up Lake Tanganyika, we (boat captain and assistant, private chef and guide) arrived at the camp. After a short briefing, Samje and I headed out on our first trek. We saw several chimps the first day. The second day we had rain but it did not deter the chimpanzees from coming out. We saw at least 20 chimpanzees both the 2nd and 3rd day. Many times they even walked right in front of us. My greatest pleasure was watching the babies/toddlers playing. Samje was extremely knowledgeable about chimpanzee behavior and it definitely added to the experience, learning about termite fishing, mating, the different calls they make, etc. Samje also showed me Jane Goodall's house, and he took me on a trek to Jane's Peak and to the waterfall.
The accommodations were great. I stayed at the Kasekela tented camp and had everything I needed. The camp is in a remote area right on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. The water in the lake is crystal clear. The camp has hot water and solar powered electricity. The food was excellent! I was even surprised by a wonderful birthday dinner and birthday cake, along with a bonfire, music and singing. What an incredible birthday gift!
On the afternoon of the 3rd day we took the boat back to Kigoma. We went on a tour of the Livingstone Museum Memorial and then Samje delivered me to my hotel with instructions for an early morning pickup tot he airport.
I highly recommend using Gombe Wild Chimp Safaris to anyone considering a chimpanzee trek. Joshua and his staff are absolutely amazing and made sure I had the best best chimp viewing experience. Thank you so much!!!
CH
Email Stephanie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gombe NP is worth it
Booking was easy with gombe wild chimp safari. Communication via email was reliable, but it took some patience to get an answer to my questions beforehand. I booked a 4-day safari to gombe np, and it was totally worth it. The itinerary was slightly different than what I had received beforehand. We arrived at the park only at 5pm and chimp trecking is only possible till 4 pm. So I had two days of trecking and not three, but that was OK. Seeing the chimps was an amazing experince. On the last day, I was back in Kigoma around 6 pm and the hotel there was nice. The boat trip to the park takes approximately 2 hours and is a little rough. The guide in the park was very good, food as well. The room at tanapa Camp was not so nice, but the surroundings made up for it. Drivers both in dar and kigoma were very nice, helpful and on time. Communication during the safari via WhatsApp was very quick and my questions were answered immediately. Thank you
AT
Email Julia and Simon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good description, quick response, clear website
All in all a very Nice Trip to a small NP.
If you Like Adventures & Animals it is a „Must have“.
Email Ian | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful, friendly and efficient
Gombe wild chimp Safari are a great group. they organised every thing , transport to and from the park all the food and the actual trekking. Everything went smoothly. Wonderful people.
FR
Email Maxime | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One of the best safaris we've done
We made a couple of days ago an amazing trip to Mahale National Parks. Joshua and his team (special mention to James whom we spent 4 days with) were extremely helpful. We arranged the trip very last minute and had special requests (such as coming to Kigoma from Dar by train) and everything seemed very easy. We had a wonderful time, enjoyed every minute, and would definitely do it again.
For travelers reluctant to go all the way to remote Mahale, do not hesitate, it's absolutely worth it. The place is pristine, and chimps tracking (with a great staff in the park) is excellent.
Asante sana Joshua!
US
Email Jacob Schmidt | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience, we got lucky, patience pays off! Beautiful experience.
We loved staying on Lake Tanganyika, the meals were great, it was going on hikes, swimming, kayaking, and walking around the forest to see the chimps. It is less likely see a bunch in the dry season, but with a little bit of patience and effort, we had an absolutely incredible time chilling with the chimps and following them around. The best is once they come down to the forest floor and you can just hang out and snap pics. I loved it and would recommend. Could see bigger groups in the wet season, but the weather/forest in the dry season was really nice.
US
Email AZ Shrink | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Solo traveler treated exceptionally well.
As a Solo traveler I was a little apprehensive about everything going according to plan. I usually feel more secure about logistics in groups or when tours are arranged by professional agents.
In this case my anxieties we're quickly relieved. I was met at all appropriate spots and guided to my next destination. At Gombe I coordinated a departure time that fit my schedule. While at Gombe the team coordinated by Joshua served me well and diligently.
I have no reservations; my expectations were exceeded. The cost was more than reasonable.