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
BR
Email Amanda Medeiros | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!!
Booking the Safari to Mikumi with Gombe and the team was the best decision we made in this vacation! Our Safari trip was amazing and exciting all the time! We stayed at a good and comfortable cottage and inside the park near of the animals. We could hear some of them in the night from our room ... it was so amazing!
Joshua was very attentive with us since the first contact until the day before the trip! He answered us very quickly with all informations we needed.
To complete our wonderful experience with Gombe, Charles Msengi was the best guide / driver that we could asked for! He was so kind and nice with us all the time. He explained everything he knows about the animals and tried what he could to put us in the best view of the animal even the most hidden ones! He knows where all animals are and woke up early to see the lions hunting in the morning before the sunshine! Everything was incredible and we recommend them to your trip!
Reservar o Safari a Mikumi com o Gombe e a equipe foi a melhor decisão que tomamos nestas férias! Nosso Safari foi incrível e emocionante o tempo todo! Nós ficamos em uma boa casa confortável e dentro do parque perto dos animais. Podíamos ouvir alguns deles na noite do nosso quarto ... foi tão incrível!
Joshua foi muito atencioso conosco desde o primeiro contato até o dia antes da viagem! Ele nos respondeu muito rapidamente com todas as informações que precisávamos.
Para completar nossa experiência maravilhosa com o Gombe, Charles Msengi foi o melhor guia / driver que poderíamos pedir! Ele era tão gentil e legal conosco o tempo todo. Ele explicou tudo o que ele conhece sobre os animais e tentou o que pôde para nos colocar na melhor visão do animal, mesmo os mais escondidos! Ele sabe onde estão todos os animais e acordou cedo para vermos os leões caçar de manhã antes do sol nascer! Tudo foi incrível e nós os recomendamos para sua viagem!
It was professional and joyful
Everything was good. Team was professional and welcoming.
IT
Email giuseppe | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not recommended
Cominciamo col dire che il rispetto dell'orario non è il punto forte di questo tour operator. Il nostro piano prevedeva che appena arrivati all'aeroporto di Dar Es Salaam alle 6.45 dovessimo partire subito per il Selus Reserve. Invece abbiamo dovuto aspettare un'altra turista alle 7.30. Poi fino alle 9.00 in dar Es Salaam perche il driver doveva ritirare il cibo che serviva al cuoco all'interno del camp. Poi finalmente partenza e a metà starada abbiamo aspettato per circa 1 ora e mezza un altro driver che dava il cambio al nostro. In tutto questo, siamo arrivati all'Hippo camp alle 4.30 p.m. e come pranzo ci è stato servito una coscia di pollo fredda e nera, un piatto di patatine fritte fredde e un pò di insalata. A cena, un piatto di spaghetti alla bolognese immangiabili. il giorno dopo il safari è andato bene anche se il pranzo prevedeva un'altra coscia di pollo fredda e nera, un sandwich, uno yogurt e una banana. L'ultimo giorno, dopo colazione, una breve passeggiata di mezz'ora nei paraggi nel camp, altro viaggio di 5 ore per l'aeroporto. Non consiglio assolutamente questo tour operator.
Let's start by saying that respect for time is not the strong point of this tour operator. Our plan provided that we just arrived at Dar Es Salaam at 6:45 pm and we should leave for Selus Reserve. Instead we had to wait for another tourist at 7.30am. Then until 9:00 am in Es Salaam, because the driver had to pick up the food he needed for the cook inside the camp. Then we finally got off and half starada waited for about 1 and a half hour another driver who changed the way to ours. In all of this, we arrived at Hoppo Camp at 4.30pm. And as a lunch we were served a cold and black chicken thigh, a plate of cold fries and a bit of salad. At dinner, a dish of spaghetti with Bolognese inedible. The next day the safari went well even though the lunch provided another cold and black chicken thigh, a sandwich, a yogurt and a banana. On the last day, after breakfast, a short half-hour walk around the camp, another 5-hour trip to the airport. I absolutely do not recommend this tour operator.
SG
Email Edward | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very special day at Lake Tanganyika and Gombe NP
I really enjoyed my 1 day trip to Gombe National Park and Ujiji. Although I had very limited time (less than 2 days) in Kigoma and had arrived late from a 13-14 hour journey from Mwanza the day before, it was the right decision to choose the Gombe day trip. I was impressed that everything was well co-ordinated - from the car pick up, to the boatman (Baraco?), to the guide at Gombe NP, and the driver and guide for the very short but informative visit to the Livingstone museum at Ujiji. I thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds along Lake Tanganyika and will never forget my time swimming in the lake. I also fondly remember watching the chimps and enjoying the panoramic view at Jane's peak in Gombe NP. The guide gave me full liberty of time at Gombe. The pace was unhurried. I should have realised I was taking a bit too much time and I requested to expedite the visit to Ujiji on my way back. This the driver did. The guide at the Livingstone museum was knowledgable. And it was great that the driver managed to get me back to Kigoma Hilltop Hotel just in time for a most exquisite sunset over Lake Tanganyika.
In summary, a most unforgettable day. Thank you.
US
Email Katie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 Days Gombe Stream Safari
After trying to arrange travel on my own to Gombe Stream, I am so glad that I decided to work with Gombe Track for what turned out to be a once in a lifetime trip to the Reserve for chimpanzee viewing. Here are a few of what I found to be the biggest challenges to arranging my own travel: 1) there is one flight to Kigoma every Sun, Mon, Weds and Fri only, 2) Gombe is accessible by boat only and catching a public boat or hiring your own on the spot is not guaranteed, 3) you may only visit Gombe on a 24 hour maximum permit. Joshua with Gombe Track was responsive in multiple e-mail communications about the 3 day itinerary. I was all set to travel to Gombe followed by another safari elsewhere in Tanzania when Joshua let me know that the flight times had changed. Fortunately, although I lost some money, I was able to re-book my subsequent flight and shift my subsequent safari schedule one day ahead. Despite this uncontrollable change in flights, my experiences with Gombe Track Safari were excellent. All the drivers provided were on time to meet me at the hotel and airport. James (driver) was especially helpful in explaining local sites and culture. Hotel accommodations in Kigoma included a private room with bathroom. Hotel staff, however, did not seem to be aware of my affiliation with Gombe Track Safari and tried to charge me for diner that was actually included with the safari package. The boat booked for transport to Gombe Stream was on time, well equipped with new safety equipment, and the captain (Baraka) well experienced with the route and lake conditions. The safari chef, Amos, was very accommodating and prepared more food than I could eat, including fresh caught lake fish. The “Luxury Tented Camp” in Gombe Reserve was by far the nicest platform tent accommodation I have even seen. It was fully equipped with a shower, toilet, and large bed! The park guides are very experienced and mine worked with two trackers to locate a large Chimp troops, which I was lucky enough to watch for quite some time. Although Gombe is off the beaten tourist track, it is worth a visit for anyone interested in Jane Goodall’s work or the Lake Tanganyika area.
IN
Email Ravi Chandran | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mikumi Safari by Gombe - Good and Timely service. Offered everything as per itinerary
First off all, Gombe could offer the same price for a solo traveller where as most other agents quoted higher rates for a single traveller, even though I had agreed to join any group.
The came dot on time to my hotel at Dar-es-Salaam in the morning and picked me up in a 4 x 4 jeep. Enroute they picked up another person. They stopped enroute for breakfast and lunch. The food was good and simple. We stayed at the Tan-Swiss Hotel, which is quite comfortable.
Overall the whole trip was pretty relaxed and fine. Since it was raining, we couldn't spot any big cat
IL
Email Monique | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Punctual, reliable and well organized tour in a paradise like place. Excellent guide. Recommended+++
Everything went as expected: the planning, the car, the boat, the accomodation (could improve a bit maybe).
Even the two short Thunderstorms and heavy rain stopped on time to allow us, with the help of our excellent guide, to climb and meet with the Chimps. Marvelous, thrilling, and upsetting experience!
This Tour is highly recommended.
BE
Email David Yekutiel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A short visit to paradise
Myself and 2 friends booked 3-day Gombe Stream. It was a no-frills trip to possibly the most beautiful place on earth! Everything worked fine, simple and efficient service (basically just booking the flights and getting us from A to B to C etc.) . Totally worth the reasonable price. Lovely boat ride on the lake, simple but good accommodation, fantastic Chimp viewing and forest walk, great bathing in the lake - just relax and have fun in this very un-touristy and atmospheric corner of Africa. Recommended for nature lovers, not for the over-pampered.
Email Brian and Patricia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
African and awesome
Excellent all round, all went to plan.
The chimps were seen every day. Unbelievable really. Great guide, average food and accommodation in Gombe , as expected.
But
We think a trip to Kigoma Station would perhaps have been more interesting than the museum.
Excellent Gombe visit with Gombe Track Safaris & Tours!
Outstanding visit facilitated by GTS&T. Timely, courteous, reliable...excellent on all accounts. I highly recommend them and we will use them again soon. Many thanks, Joshua!!!