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
Email Sarah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Really nice budget short trip!
We made a really short time decision to go for one night to Mikumi National Park. As we were on limited budget and i've been already on another tour with Gombe, I contact them & could agree very fast on a one night trip to Mikumi for a fair price.
They picked us up at our stay in Dar in time. The Driver Rajabu was really kind & could tell a lot about the Park and it's nature.
We had an afternoon drive, a morning drive & another midday drive.
All meals have been included & were really good.
Only negative point on our tip was the fact that there was a fire in the park only few days before we arrive. So the vegetation was not as rich as it has been on my last trip to Mikumi. But that's nature. And not the fault of Gombe Safari.
Excellent Experience Overall, but improvements could be made
The experience of being close to chimpanzees in their natural environment will always overshadow anything else. It was absolutely amazing! By far, one of the coolest experiences I have ever had. Worth it, completely!
As for the safari company, they were fair to good. I could only find 2 companies online and I chose Gombe Track. When you are paying a lot of money for a safari you expect to not have to handle little details, like where you will be sleeping (there was a big miscommunication between the national park and the company and there were no beds for us). As well, when we paid the other half of the bill in cash, it was just out in the open (seemed dangerous and not professional) and the person I gave the money to did not seem to understand that I am handing over hundreds of dollars and it would be nice to have an envelope or some recognition that he is the right person because the main guy could not meet up with us initially ... It was strange. Some suggestions for improvement would be to have the owner of the company to personally meet with the tourists and explain the itinerary and what is going on and give him the money directly! When some random person picks you up from the airport and doesn't explain where you are going or what his role is, it is just a little frustrating and does not start the trip off well. As well, it is not explained well that the guide you have is hired by the park and you only meet him/her at the park. It would also be nice to explain the flexibility of the schedule and possibly have an opportunity to stay at a different hotel in Kigoma, if you want. Overall, still an amazing experience but the tour company has some kinks to work out!
Email Kate | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 3 day safari in Mikumi
I went on the 3 day Mikumi safari with a friend and it ended up just being the two of us on the tour - great price for a private safari!
We got picked up from a Dar Es Salaam Airport hotel and drove to Mikumi with our guide John. We had car problems along the way which was unfortunate, but we still arrived in plenty of time to get an evening tour in.
We saw a lot on the trip - giraffes, elephants, hippos, crocs, wildebeests, baboons, zebras etc. We even managed to see a pride of lions (John had heard there were some off the main road so we headed straight there before breakfast).
The accommodation was basic but fine, and the employees at Mikumi cottages were all lovely. The food was good too, although we had the same every day - pancakes, sausage, egg and watermelon for breakfast, and rice and meat for dinner.
We managed to get in 2 morning drives and 2 evening drives which was plenty as you're generally out in the car for around 4 hours. On the second day we also had lunch/a rest at a lovely place in the park which overlooked the park so you could see animals in the distance as you ate!
I was unsure what to expect of the tour given the lack of reviews, but it was one of the best experiences I've had and i would really recommend it to anyone!
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!!!
It was professional and joyful
Everything was good. Team was professional and welcoming.
AT
Email Patrik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Selous Great Experience!
Big thanks to Charles our driver/tour guide and the whole Gombe Safari Team!
Everything went as planned and we had a fantastic time! Charles is pretty much the best driver you can imagine, super friendly, calm and very experienced! He knows how to put a smile on our faces and he knows every corner of Selous Game Reserve! We would highly recommend doing this 3day trip, memories we will never forget! Greetings from Austria!
SE
Email Nelly | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good experience with a well educated and kind guide
This was my first time in safari but the second time for my boyfriend and we were lucky enough to experience three kinds of safari; boat safari, regular safari and a walking safari on the three days we stayed at Hippo Camp. The first guide we had was very helpful on the way to Safari but unfortunatley he got sick so we got a freelancer as a guide instead. A very educated and enthusiastic man who spoke english fluently and really did his best to make us experience all kinds of animals. Overall it was an interesting and instructive safari with helpful staff. I higly recommend it to everyone:)
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.
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!
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!!!