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
US
Email William and Sammantha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Chimp Trekking Beyond Wildest Expectations
My husband and I were blown away with the chimp trekking at Gombe. The guide was fantastic and it was clear that he had such a passion for the chimps and respecting their space. We were able to see the chimps hunting, playing, fighting with baboons, and so much more. We will never forget feeling so lucky to be experiencing their human like behaviors in person! Our accommodations were as expected and a step up from camping, but we knew that going in and it was fine. Our cabin had everything we needed for the night. Our boat operator, chef, and the man who provided our transport throughout the trip were all top notch!
US
Email Katie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gombe Chimp Trek - Adventure for only the Most Adventurous
We had no idea what to expect and could never have expected our simple desire to see chimpanzees in the wild to end up being perhaps the most remote place we've ever been. Gombe Tours was very responsive and did everything within their control to ensure a smooth trip for us. Again, it is isn't there fault that there just isn't a lot out there on the internet about what is all entailed in getting to Gombe and what accommodations are like. Let me summarize. Getting to Gombe is about a 6-7 hour ordeal. You start from Dar es Salaam with a pick up from your hotel at 5:30AM and take a 2 hour domestic flight to Kigoma Airport which is a bush airport if you've ever seen one. Maybe a flight or two in or out the whole day. Car ride with brief detour at a tourist spot to a boat where you spend 2+ hours on a small boat getting to the park by water. The day we traveled was very wavy and our boat ride was longer than two hours and we arrived soaked. We received a warm welcome from a park ranger/tour host upon arrival at the park and shown to our tent, which was nicer than expected given how remote we were, but not the full "glamping" level that some may have come to expect on safaris. Meals were provided in a dining hall. And, of course, the highlight were the chimp treks. It's everything we could have wanted. Certainly one must be in good health to participate in the treks. At the end of your final trek, you are provided boat ride and car transfer to a hotel for a stay until your flight. There were lots of pieces, but Gombe Tours ensured that the pieces all occurred smoothly. In fact, there was a miscommunication at our hotel regarding what was included and both Joshua and our driver went over and above immediately to take care of it. If I had to be very picky, I'd say the one thing we understood was occurring was a car transfer upon arrival back in Dar, which didn't occur, but we're talking the difference of a $10 taxi trip.
If you choose to embark on a Gombe chimp trek, have reasonable expectations of your location, but trust that Gombe Tours will take the stress out of the planning and execution.
US
Email Michael Rubenstein | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing adventure to Gombe Stream National Park and trekking with the chimpanzees of Gombe
I have been traveling to Tanzania for the last nine years, twice a year for a month each time to work and have been on dozens of safaris, having driven many of my own, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. I have experienced much of what Tanzania has to offer and now relish in being able to introduce others to this wonderful country, so when I have the opportunity to discover something new in this amazing country, it is a real plus for me. Discovering Gombe Stream National Park and Gombe Track Safaris & Tours was just that! A colleague had used their services last April and had spoken very highly of them, but I had not completely expected the wonderful care and service that Joshua and his team provided to us all along the way. We had booked four nights at Gombe with them and absolutely everything was arranged and went off without a hitch. That included our airport transfers from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Dar airport to our hotel in Dar and back again, Kigoma airport to our boat to Gombe. The return trip was equally smooth. Our captain, Juma, took wonderful care of us the camp at Gombe (We chose to stay in the tents). Juma cooked all of our meals for us and gave us more food than we could eat. He was flexible on times for meal and was always there checking on us. We were there in the dry season, so the chimps were much higher in the hills, but we were able to see them on the three days we trekked. The beach at the Gombe camp was lovely and the sunsets were to die for. It rained several days, but life went on as usual. I brought several friends with me who were first timers in Tanzania and they couldn't say enough about the trip with Gombe Track Safaris. It was everything we had hoped for and more. I will be referring other friends to them without question. They were just totally awesome.
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!!!
Email Steve | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Visit to Gombe Stream National Park
We spent three days and two nights at Gombe Stream National Park. It was a thrilling visit, as we got to see the Central Community of chimpanzees and hiked many trails in the park. The visit was during the dry season, so we had to hunt for the chimpanzees but viewing them was excellent with the reduced vegetation. We stayed in the lodge built for Goodall's son. It was very comfortable and close to everything. The food was wonderful, fish right from the lake. Our guide was very knowledgeable and capable. I would like to visit again. I would plan to stay at least two days to ensure seeing chimpanzees.
IT
Email Gaia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari at Mikumi National Park was exciting! Charles was a perfect guide! We saw a lot animals!
Very Good! Joshua helpful and kind.
Charles available and on time! a very well prepared person who showed us many animals and explained everything to us! We have seen giraffes, hippos, zebras, lions, two-month lions (they played under our car, emozio!), Warthogs, bisons, elephants, jackals, birds, crocodiles, baboons ... three exciting and exciting days! thank you
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.
PL
Email Iga & Andrei | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional safari operator
We chose Gombe Safari for our 2 night safari in Selous Game Reserve. They picked us up from our hotel and drove to Ngalawa camp, where we had a cute cottage house made of tent material, with electricity, quite big and nice bathroom and a little porch. There is a family of babboons in the camp which made things even better for us. On the same day of our arrival we went on a boat safari, on which we ve seen a lot of hippos, crocodiles and a beautiful sunset. The second day was game drive, which took about 9 hours, we have basically seen all the animals, including lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants. And the whole time it was just us and the driver in the 4x4 jeep, which was amazing! On the last day we went on a walking safari, which was also very interesting. All those days we had meals at our camp, very delicious and in very big amounts. I recommend this safari operator as well as Selous Game Reserve to everyone!
US
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip to Mahale with Gombe Track went off flawlessly.
Joshua was prompt responding to any questions and flexible with our requirements. Our trip logistics were complex in an area with little tourist infrastructure. Every step was perfectly executed. The guides and other support staff were very knowledgeable and had good language skills. I highly recommend their services.
