Tanzania Chimpanzees

Itinerary

• Tanzania

  Tanzania has a wealth of natural attractions. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, is situated in the northeast, near the tourist hub of Arusha. The nearby game parks of Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire receive most of the visitor volume. Other notable game parks are Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park in the south, and Gombe National Park in the west. Further to the west are the Great Lakes, Lake Victoria (Africa's largest lake) and Lake Tanganyika (the world's deepest lake). The capital city of Dar Es Salaam is located on the eastern shore, but the main attraction is the exotic island of Zanzibar lying just offshore, with its Swahili architecture, spice plantations and white sand beaches.

• Mahale Mountains

  Mahale Mountains National Park lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. Named after the Mahale Mountains range that is within its borders, the park has several unusual characteristics. First, it is one of only two protected areas for chimpanzees in the country. (The other is nearby Gombe Stream National Park made famous by the researcher Jane Goodall.) Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot.

• • Mahale Mountains
  • Kungwe Beach Lodge

  Day 1: Arusha - Mahale Mountains

  Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

  Flight departs from Arusha at 08:00 am and will arrive in Camp in time for lunch.

  In the event of serious illness, all travellers are covered by Flying Doctors Insurance. This covers the cost of emergency air evacuation service needed to fly back to Nairobi for treatment. This insurance does not cover the cost of medical treatment.

  Accommodation: Kungwe Beach Lodge

  Overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika with breathtaking sunsets, on a stretch of golden sandy beach, the recently refurbished Kungwe Beach Lodge is the perfect blend of comfort and luxury in a romantic setting. The camp is run on solar power, making it a quiet stay in an untouched and unique landscape. The light, airy and spacious tents are furnished in the traditional ‘safari’ style, with unbeatable sunsets over the mountains of Congo. In the gathering darkness fishermen’s lanterns light up across the lake, mirroring the stars above.

• • Mahale Mountains Chimp
  • Lake Tanganika

  Day 2: Mahale Mountains

  A morning hike into the mountains to visit a chimpanzee family. There is only 1 chimp trek per full day, and time spent with the chimps is 1 hour only - but the trekking time is variable depending whether the chimps are close to camp or are up in the mountains. Most guests will see the chimps at least once but a sighting is not always guaranteed. Each group has a maximum of 6 people per group. Any guest showing symptoms of any contagious disease (viral or bacterial) will NOT be able to go into the forest in order to protect the health of the chimps.

  Enjoy optional activities at your camp, including swimming in Lake Tanganika, snorkelling, kayaking, or relaxing on the beach. Other activities may be booked at the camp (not included in tour price) include fishing or a boat safari along the shore. Park fees included.

  Accommodation: Kungwe Beach Lodge

• Day 3: Mahale Mountains

  A morning hike into the mountains to visit a chimpanzee family. There is only 1 chimp trek per full day, and time spent with the chimps is 1 hour only - but the trekking time is variable depending whether the chimps are close to camp or are up in the mountains. Most guests will see the chimps at least once but a sighting is not always guaranteed. Each group has a maximum of 6 people per group. Any guest showing symptoms of any contagious disease (viral or bacterial) will NOT be able to go into the forest in order to protect the health of the chimps.

  Enjoy optional activities at your camp, including swimming in Lake Tanganika, snorkelling, kayaking, or relaxing on the beach. Other activities may be booked at the camp (not included in tour price) include fishing or a boat safari along the shore. Park fees included.

  Accommodation: Kungwe Beach Lodge
• • Arusha Souvenirs

  Day 4: Mahale Mountains - Arusha

  The return flight will usually fly back to Arusha at 18h30.

  Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

  Includes opportunity to visit local handicrafts market to stock up on souvenirs.

Accommodation

• Fun Facts

  Did you know? The Serengeti covers approximately 14,763 sq kilometres, making it Tanzania's largest national park. It is home to the world's largest concentrations of wildebeest and gazelle (which number over 1,000,000 each), as well as large numbers of zebras (200,000) and lions, elephants, and rhinoceros (3,000 each). Each year huge herds migrate across the virtually treeless Serengeti in search of grazing land.

• Culinary Moments

  Swahili Translations (a few basics!)
  
  Hello – Jambo / Habari
  Goodbye – Kwaheri
  Please - Tafadhali
  Thank you – Asante
  I’m pleased to meet you – Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe.
  I am traveling – Ninasafiri

• Wildlife Encounters

  Tree climbing lions are quite the attraction In Lake Manyara National Park – while most lions don’t climb trees, it is said that here lions are often spotted sprawled out on the stout branches of acacia trees – likely to avoid the biting flies and herds of buffalo and elephant. Keep your eyes peeled!

• • Kungwe Beach Lodge

  Kungwe Beach Lodge

  Overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika with breathtaking sunsets, on a stretch of golden sandy beach, the recently refurbished Kungwe Beach Lodge is the perfect blend of comfort and luxury in a romantic setting. The camp is run on solar power, making it a quiet stay in an untouched and unique landscape. The light, airy and spacious tents are furnished in the traditional ‘safari’ style, with unbeatable sunsets over the mountains of Congo. In the gathering darkness fishermen’s lanterns light up across the lake, mirroring the stars above.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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