Two days out in the African wilderness
I spent a weekend in Mikumi National Park. The trip there is very long, only a few hundred kilometres but takes 6-7 hours, so expect a lot of traffic. The scene is exotic with the high, yet completely green mountains. The park itself is very quiet (at least in February), not many tourists, so you can feel the wilderness close around you. Weather is quite unpredictable, sometimes it rains, sometimes the sun is burning you body. The wildlife was very abundant, everything could be seen except for the rhinos and carnivores. We did see some resting lions though, but usually they are hard to spot. Accommodation was amazing (Camp Bastien), way above my expectations. The guides on the other hand don't speak very much English, so it was hard to gather information from them.
To sum up, I can recommend a visit to this park, but considering the long commute, it would be better to combine this safari with another national park, for example Udzungwa Mountains.
FI
Email Rudiger Schultz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A lot of nerves needed
This is merely a Review about Gombe Track & Safari, The Mahale Nationalpark, their guiding and accommodation as well as the Coast View Resort Hotel in Kigoma.
I was picked up in Dar from my hotel early in the morning and in time and brought to the airport. My flight with Tanzania Air was also very good and smooth. I arrived on the schedule in Kigoma where a car from the Gombe Track and Safari was waiting for. In addition to a driver, a cook was provided, who served me in Mahale very well. The car was in a bad shape and not suitable for the rough road of 107 km which I mentioned already on our way to the park. But we made it. After an exhausting trip, lasting 6 hours we reached the village from where a boat trip was organized. This speedboat hacked me through the waves so that my back was badly aching for hours after my arrival. However the most pleasant moments I had in Mahale although my driver from the Gombe Safari company had sent the boat to pick me up again for my return one day to early. We however got that settled well and I could stay as it was planned for 4 days enjoying the jungle and the Chimps I had paid for.
The boat came on the 23rd of January to pick me up again. It was late because of the rough waves on lake Tanganyika. The driver had been sleeping in his car overnight because he came one day too early. It was exactly the same car as on the trip to Mahale. This time happened what I had been expecting during our first trip. The car broke because of electrical problems after 35 km in the middle of nowhere on a hot and dusty road in the wilderness. Some Daladala busses dropped by until it got dark. I urged the driver several times to get into contact with Joshua, the manager of the company, several times. Joshua came to pick us up at 9 pm when it was already dark and brought us to Kigoma, where we arrived at 00:30, totally exhausted, dirty and sweaty at the booked hotel (Kigoma Coast View Resort) which has a 4 Star reputation. The receptionist, a girl had already fell asleep but opened us the door and has let me in into my room. Dirty as I was I wanted to get a cold shower but noticed, that there was no water in the hotel. The shower could not be used, the toilet not be flushed until the next morning from 7:45 am to 8:20 am, when the hotel manager allowed to put on the pump, which delivered the water into the rooms. So I had to sleep dirty and sweaty as I was in my sheets, getting no sleep at all. After taking my shower in the morning I waited to be picked up by Joshua and demanded to see the idiot of manager of that hotel and made clear that this kind of treatment of guest is not only unacceptable but a crime to the paying customer. He apologized but didn't give my money back which would have been the only acceptable way to proceed. I have been regularly in Tanzania for 7 years as a voluntary pediatrician and seen a lot of inconvenience but never have been in a situation like this. This hotel should be put onto a black list for avoiding damage to other customers. Also Gombe Safaris should have offered a compensation for all the problems with the car and for booking this hotel. I was offered a lunch on the day I left. I am sorry to say that but I have the impression after many years being in Afrika that companies which are running under local, african personnel and not able to offer proper level of service and endanger their customers. The next time I am taking a Safari I will make sure who is running the company. This should be a warning to every tourist coming from Europe or the States or Australia to pick their services carefully, avoiding local companies.
IT
Email Chiara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was my first, in Saadani N.P.: for sure I will organize better next time!
For my friend and I it was the first safari: we were in Zanzibar, so we decided to visit Saadani National Park(closer and smaller), even if we knew that it was not the best and most "populated" African park. Unfortunately the agency we chose was not clear about the duration of the journey from Dar Es Salaam port to the park. We had several issues with our car until we got stuck into the mud: I know people may say it is part of the adventure... however, it is not funny when you have less than 2 days.... In the end we did not make the boat safari to see crocodiles and hippos because in the morning the tide was not at the correct level...I am wondering why we did not make it in the previous afternoon then! For sure, it was very exciting for 2 Europeans to spot giraffes, monkeys and above all a big lonely elephant. We were expecting something more, especially a real guide, not only a silent driver who seems to be annoyed by us... accommodation was ok, but for a possibile future safari, I would not take selousrufijihippoadventure.com into consideration. Anyway, I think that this was just a start and that we have learnt something for next safari.
DE
Email Anja | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Too expensive and infrastructure can make National Parks difficult to reach. I have been on safari in South Africa and Namibia, which altogether has a more "Western" feel, but also is less expensive, easier to reach by normal car.
US
Experience level: first safari
Tanzania was beautiful! The people were very friendly. The lodges we stayed at were amazing! We camped 2 nights and stayed at nice lodges the other nights. All were great experiences! We visited the Messiah tribe. Loved Tanzania! We felt safe the whole time we were there.
The are parks of similar size and similar wildlife in other African countries that matches Mikumi.
FR
Email Enzo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beautiful immersion
We loved the safari ! Everything was amazing, the wildlife, the scenic beauty, everything was wonderful. We want to thank the team for the welcome. This trip is one of our best memories so far. Hope to see you soon !
FR
Email Audrey Soto | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous
It’s a magnificent destination, with lovely people, a country that really deserves to be known and a just perfect tour operator that I highly recommend.
(automatic translation from French)
AE
Email Carel Nolte | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dream African experience
My wife and I had an excellent experience once again. It was our third visit to Tanzania. Although it was not the best time of year for game viewing, it was a great time to experience the Rufiji river in all its greatness. The bush was lush and green and beautiful to see.
What a great experience.
US
Email Roger Cederholm | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The wildlife is amazing and the people are friendly
Our tour was made with Soul of Tanzania, which fits perfectly. Our guide asked me what was important for our trip and then made sure that we checked off everything on the list. Wildebeest/Zebra migration is inspiring, the hippopotamuses are ugly but amazing, the giraffes are regal, the elephants are awe inspiring, the lions and their cubs up close and personal was totally unexpected, the leopards and cheetahs were beautiful, the hyenas are interesting and the flamingos in Ngorogoro crater can be seen for miles there are so many. We finished our tour with a good sighting of a black rhino standing in a field.
Our first night at Lake Manyara, my wife woke up in the morning and Zebras were standing right outside our window and she was thrilled.
