Joshua and Naombael (Directors)
Gombe Wild Chimp Safari
- Located 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)
Reviews
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Email Kristen J. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3-day Mikumi Park safari
Overall, a wonderful experience with Gombe Safari! My boyfriend and I booked last minute (only about a week before) when we decided to go on a 3-day tour from Dar. Our driver Yunis was very knowledgeable about the park and took the time to track down all of the animals we had hoped to see, which we appreciated. The accommodations were nice for the price (slightly roughing it but better than camping! Running water and electricity for a fan were awesome). The food was local and well made by the two cooks on-site. Everything with the tour ran perfectly on time and our driver was very flexible based on how many game drives we wanted to go on each day. I would definitely recommend this tour company!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good safari to Selous and Mikumi
We had a nice trip to Selous and Mikumi. The owner replied quickly to e-mails and any questions we had. The driver was very punctual, took good care while driving and treated the animals in the park with respect, he also had excellent eye sight and often saw animals before we did. The cook was a good cook and prepared nice meals for us. We enjoyed out trip very much, the only slight drawback was the distance between the two parks, which resulted in one day just driving to get from Selous to Mikumi, without time for sight seeing.
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Email Linda | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mikumi and Udzungwa
We had a great experience with Gombe, many thanks.
The driver took good care of us and was driving very safely.
Communication with Joshua from the office went well and also the price versus quality is ok.
Do not expect luxury, you are in africa, buth enjoy every moment of this beautiful exciting country.
We advise you to end your holiday on Zanzibar thats the place to relax in one of the great resorts!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible trip
I went on a four-day trip to Mikumi and Udzungwa. I had booked last minute and was travelling alone and joined a couple travelling together and another solo traveller who had booked just the day before. Our guide was outstanding - he really went out of his way to ensure our comfort and was very helpful and cheerful. He also knew the park very well and we saw pretty much every animal you can imagine including a leopard! The accommodation was not luxurious but clean and decent enough for the price paid ($150 a day) and the food was good. The mud huts in Udzungwa were spartan but atmospheric and there was a great bar. Everything was well organised and we didn't have to worry about anything. Definitely exceeded my expectations.
MY
Email Yew Ken | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable memory
Gombe Safari provides a good deal for 3D2N in Mikumi National Park. Starting from deal until the end of the trip, they manage everything professionally. My safari guide, Roman, is a knowledgeable and punctual person. He willing to share the knowledge regarding the animals, and able to explain to my curiosity about animals. He even lead us found the female lion with two little cubs in firtst day! Overall, Gombe Safari did a good job and give me an unforgettable memory in Tanzania. Those who has little time at Dar es Salaam but planning to go for short safari, I would recommend Gombe Safari as one of your choice.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari, average food, poor accommodation..
The driver who picked us up from Dar and stayed with us the whole trip was a good, safe driver who really did an effort to make sure we had a satisfying safari tour.
The accommodation where we stayed the first two nights, cottage in Mikumi, was very poor (shower didn't work, room wasn't really clean, some windows did not have curtains, AC only worked 10% of the time) but the view was amazing. The food they served was average, if there was any. After our morning drive we only got an egg for breakfast... So our driver took us somewhere else for lunch, which was great, the food was really good and we had a fantastic view over the wildlife park.
The accommodation in which we were supposed to stay in Udzungwa appeared to be fully booked (how is that possible when you book your tour two months in advance??), but luckily they were able to place us in Hondo Hondo instead of a downgrade hotel they offered us at first. Hondo Hondo is great place to stay!
The safari's we did during the first three days and the hike in Udzungwa on the fourth day were perfect! We saw all animals you hope to see on a safari and the view on the hike was amazing (good knowledgeable guide as well)!
Overall we feel like we have paid way too much for this tour and would not recommend to book your safari's with Gombe unless they give a 50% discount on their price or give you some sort of a guarantee to arrange proper accommodation.
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Email Kristin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beware of what you are getting into!
We were very disappointed in this tour. Starting out with being picked up late at the airport. We arrived in the pouring rain with no cell phone service and the driver was 15 minutes late in picking us up, which would not have been a big deal if we had a way of getting ahold of someone to see if they were coming or had forgotten us.
Secondly, the driver was drunk from the impression I got. He drove those roads at 120kph which I finally had to tell him to slow down. These are dirt/ clay roads! There was a man on a bicycle carrying long wooden sticks which the driver hit as he drove by the man! I know I'm in a different country but is this a normal occurrence? He proceeded to tell us we would be in the car for 6 hours...? Now, I'm confused because the itinerary I was sent said:
"Transfer to Sigunga village where you will take a boat to Mahale mountain national park. Have a picnic lunch at Sigunga village before boating to Mahale. The boat will take approximately 3 to 4 hours"
As we drove at top speeds we came to a village where we were told he had forgotten dinner and would be right back. 30 minutes later he returns with a chicken and throws him in the back of the car. After driving for 3 hours I ask about lunch because it's now 3pm. He hands me a box lunch which was not vegetarian like I had said several times that I was. I could not eat! I had a banana. At 630pm we arrive at this boat in the middle of nowhere. There is 1 man waiting to take us to Mahale. This is scary for 2 women traveling alone, especially with my sister who has anxiety. If we had been informed ahead of time what was going to be going on we would have felt more comfortable. Especially since it took 7+ hours to get there when we were thinking it was a 3hr boat ride. We get on the boat and it is now getting dark. I'm in a strange place in the middle of this huge lake on this boat not knowing where we are going. We arrive at dark, can not see anything. We ate dinner at 9pm! This is not acceptable, especially since we had no lunch!
If it wasn't for our guide Huessein it would have been a horrible experience. Luckily he made it amazing for us.
Last thing, when we left and stayed in Kigoma town, we were dropped at the hotel with NO information. Nothing about lunch, dinner or the museum tour. Food was terrible. The staff didn't understand what I was talking about. So I messaged Joshua with whom I had been speaking with, very little information again. I got ahold of the driver to ask him about the museum and he said Oh, we will go tomorrow before the airport. Again, he could not tell me how far the airport was and said he would pick us up at 8 for the tour to the museum. He then said the airport was 2 hours away. I told him we left at 1230. The next morning after our tour we realized the airport was 5 minutes from us! We spent 3 hrs at that little airport waiting.
I just don't understand why the itinerary I received was not followed nor was I ever given correct information. Mahale was such a special place and I would love to return. I'm not trying to be mean, I just want to inform anyone traveling here the situation.
Reply from Gombe Wild Chimp Safari
Posted on Sep 30, 2019Hello Kristin,
First of all, i would like to apologise for all what happened on May in your trip to Mahale Mountain national park. I agree with you that the driver behaved badly and he didn't provide acceptable service to you. After your trip, we made an investigation concerning his behaviour and we notice that he is not the right person to be one of the staff of Gombe safari. So the management of Gombe track tours and safaris have suspended and terminated him since July 2019. He is no longer a staff of the Gombe safari due to his bad behaviour to our customers/clients. On the other hand, we would like to say thank you for your review which helped us to know all about the services provided by our staff while on your vacation. It was not our intention to provide poor service like that. We know that our customers need good services while are on their vacation and it is our responsibility to make sure that they meet their expectation.
AT
Email Peter and Monika | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good.Great 9 days and all was ok.
The communication was satisfied and the organisation of the tour excellent.
We had a great driver and he was a perfect guide. the food was delicious and so we could enjoy our second safari trip with this company.
We would like to do it once more!!!
Amazing experience!
Everything run very smoothly and up to our expectations. Although the journey to get to Mahale was long, it was worth it. The car drive was longer than we expected and the boat drive shorter but our driver James drove very safely and was very experienced driver. Djambo was the perfect cook and very attentive to our needs. Most importantly everybody we got in contact with on our journey was extremely friendly and open!
The camp Mango Bandas was really nice, too. The rooms are spacious and clean and also the community space was really nice and spacious and even offered wifi. We had two very knowledgeable guides (Hussein and Merry) who took us chimp trekking.
It was one of the most amazing experiences to observe chimps in their natural habitat!
Email Justin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Delivered exactly what they promised
Our trip to visit the chimps in Gombe was a last minute arrangement and Joshua and his team made it possible with the minimum of fuss and a maximum of efficiency.
Everything worked like clockwork from the moment we were met off the plane to the moment we were dropped off at the airport after an unforgettable visit to Gombe.
This was a trip we will never forget.