Chimpanzee Safaris

Lake Victoria Region-Western Circuit Tourist Circuit

Attractions around Mwanza include a short boat excursion to Saa Nane Island (literally “eight o’clock island”) which has a large variety of reptiles and small game; a visit to the scruffy beach resorts on Ukerewe Island; and a visit to the Sukoma Museum (15km out of Mwanza on the Musoma road) where there is a spectacular drum collection. Once a week, usually on Saturdays, the locals put on the riveting Sukoma Snake Dance, with live pythons.

KAGERA REGION

Kagera Region is located in the northwestern corner of Tanzania. Bukoba, Kagera Region's capital, is a fast growing town with an attractive waterside setting. Situated on the shore of Lake Victoria, Bukoba lies only 1 degree south of the Equator and is Tanzania's second largest port on the lake. Kagera comprises of five administrative districts: Bukoba, Muleba, Karagwe, Ngara and Biharamulo. The region neighbors Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and lies across the lake from Kenya. This location makes Kagera an ideal place for business and a perfect stop for tourists traveling between any of these nations and Tanzania. You may arrive in Kagera by air from Mwanza, road from Rwanda or Uganda or by ferry from Mwanza.

Chimpanzee safaris in Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Parks and Tour Excursions in Rubondo Island National Park.

Then suddenly you are in their midst: preening each other's glossy coats in concentrated huddles, squabbling noisily, or bounding into the trees to swing effortlessly between the vines.

The area is also known as Nkungwe, after the park's largest mountain, held sacred by the local Tongwe people, and at 2,460 metres (8,069 ft) the highest of the six prominent points that make up the Mahale Range.

And while chimpanzees are the star attraction, the slopes support a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and a kaleidoscopic array of colourful forest birds.

You can trace the Tongwe people's ancient pilgrimage to the mountain spirits, hiking through the montane rainforest belt – home to an endemic race of Angola colobus monkey - to high grassy ridges chequered with alpine bamboo. Then bathe in the impossibly clear waters of the world’s longest, second-deepest and least-polluted freshwater lake – harbouring an estimated 1,000 fish species - before returning as you came, by boat.

PLEASE EMAIL US WITH YOUR INTERESTS, HOW MANY DAYS YOU HAVE FOR YOUR CHIMPANZEE SAFARIS, AND HOW MANY ARE YOU.

THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF DAYS IS 5 FOR SATISFACTORY CHIMPANZEE SAFARIS.

Rubondo Island National Park.

Rubondo Island is tucked in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest lake, an inland sea sprawling between Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. With nine smaller islands under its wing, Rubondo protects precious fish breeding grounds. Has Size: 240 sq km (93 sq miles).
Location: Northwest Tanzania, 150 km (95 miles) west of Mwanza.

Tasty tilapia form the staple diet of the yellow-spotted otters that frolic in the island’s rocky coves, while rapacious Nile perch, some weighing more than 100kg, tempt recreational game fishermen seeking world record catches.

Rubondo is more than a water wonderland. Deserted sandy beaches nestle against a cloak of virgin forest, where dappled bushbuck move fleet yet silent through a maze of tamarinds, wild palms, and sycamore figs strung with a cage of trailing taproots.

The shaggy-coated aquatic sitatunga, elsewhere the most elusive of antelopes, is remarkably easily observed, not only in the papyrus swamps it normally inhabits, but also in the forest interior.

Birds are everywhere.

Flocks of African grey parrots – released onto the island after they were confiscated from illegal exporters – screech in comic discord as they flap furiously between the trees.

TOURISTIC ACTIVITIES;

Walking safaris, boat excursions, sport fishing, chimpanzee treks, plans for canoe trips.

Send us an email for sample itineraries and prices. Also tell us about what you need and we will make your Tailor made itinerary customed for you.

stsa-frica@lycos.com

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Gorilla Tracking Safari in Uganda

8 DAY GORILLA SAFARI

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ENTEBBE - KAMPALA TOWN
Our Company representative will pick you from the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Kampala. If your flight arrives in the morning you are advised to change money. To get to know Kampala, you can visit some exciting places with the help of your driver/guide. These may include: Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, museum and many others. Dinner and overnight at Olympia Budget Hotel. (This is Budget, simple and clean with self-contained rooms)

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT AFRICANA HOTEL – 4* HOTEL BY PAYING AN EXTRA $90.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 2: KAMPALA – BWINDI
After early morning breakfast we depart to Bwindi, which is around an 8-hour journey. With a stop at the craft village at the equator for pictures and shopping, we continue to Mbarara for lunch and later proceed through the beautiful evergreen mountain country referred to as the "Little Switzerland of Uganda". Arrive Bwindi late evening for dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Camp Bandas in Bwindi - simple Bandas with bed and Kerosene lantern for light, but you share bathrooms / showers and pit latrines

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT BUHOMA HOMESTEADS – NICE MODERATE LODGE BY PAYING AN EXTRA $95.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 3: BWINDI   - GORILLA TREKKING

After early breakfast, with your packed lunch go for a briefing at 08:00 hours before beginning the trek. Gorilla tracking is unpredictable, so it is difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. It may take 2-8 hours, and you should be prepared to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas.
For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. The ranger guide always briefs you on how to behave with these gentle giants. Later return for dinner and overnight at Buhoma community camp Bandas.

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT BUHOMA HOMESTEADS – NICE MODERATE LODGE BY PAYING AN EXTRA $95.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 4: BWINDI - QUEEN ELIZABETH

After breakfast, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is rich in wildlife and a birder's paradise!
Arrive through the famous Ishasha Sector, in anticipation of rewarding your cameras by seeing the tree-climbing lions. Check in this evening at The Institute Of Ecology Hostels. (Simple rooms with bed and mosquito nets inside, but you share bathrooms / showers and toilets)

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT MWEYA SAFARI LODGE OR JACANA LODGE – BEST AVAILABLE LODGE BY PAYING AN EXTRA $95.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 5: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

At 6:30am, depart for a game drive on the northerly parts of the park along the Kasenyi track. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action. Later return for breakfast. Take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which is a link between the two lakes George and Edward. Look for solitary Buffalo, Hippos and other animals at the edge of the channel as they cool off. Dinner and overnight at The Institute of Ecology hostels.

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT MWEYA SAFARI LODGE OR JACANA LODGE – BEST AVAILABLE LODGE BY PAYING AN EXTRA $95.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 6: QUEEN- KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you may choose the option of exploring Kyambura Gorge Wildlife Reserve at extra $30.usd per person OR Maramagambo Forest Walk at no extra fee.

In Kyambura, drive through grassland area, all of a sudden we come across an amazing gorge of tropical rainforest 100 meters deep. Hike into Kyambura River Gorge for an unforgettable experience trekking chimpanzees, you may see them or not but it's a rewarding experience not only to see the chimpanzees, but also to see the beautiful river valley that houses numerous bird and butterfly species.

In Maramagambo, you will walk through the typical Savannah Forest, one of the biggest in Uganda rich in Birds and many other forest Dwellers. You will be introduced to Caves that have become a Habitant and breeding place for Bats which as well attract the Giant Rock Pythons that come to feed on them. You may be so lucky to spot them basking under the sun after feeding.

After any of the two, you will then transfer to Kibale National Park, a home of Primates! Dinner and overnight at Rwenzori View Guest House. (Self contained rooms – very nice above all those I have talked about – Iam sure this will be the best place of all).

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT NDALI LODGE – BEST AVAILABLE LODGE BY PAYING AN EXTRA $125.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 7: KIBALE CHIMP TREKKING/ PRIMATE WALK.
Breakfast early, and then start your early morning primate walk. This park boasts the highest number of primate species in Africa, and among the many you will see Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus monkey, and Grey cheeked Mangabay's. Return for lunch at your accommodation and then have an afternoon jaunt to the Bigodi Swamp. This place is good for birders and butterfly lovers. Return in the evening for dinner, overnight and relaxation at Rwenzori View Guest House.

FOR LUXURY YOU CAN UPGRADE AT NDALI LODGE – BEST AVAILABLE LODGE BY PAYING AN EXTRA $125.USD PER PERSON PER NIGHT PER NIGHT SHARING.

DAY 8: KIBALE – KAMPALA
Explore the region, which has many crater lakes, and later proceed to Kampala with lunch enroute. Arrive at your place of option and dropped there.

Cost of Safari – 8 Days - BUDGET SAFARI

·         $1,550. USD per person when 3 pax on safari

* FOR LUXURY PLEASE CONSIDER UPGRADE FEE GIVEN TO YOU PER NIGHT AND COME UP WITH TOTALS.

·         NOTE: An extra $380.usd per person specifically for the Gorilla Permits is
paid separately please on top of all the above. And The Visit to Kyambura Wildlife Reserve costs you an extra $30.usd per person if you opt for it. – Prices are subject to change for late bookings as prices are changing from April including the gorilla permits so if you book early the better.

The prices Include:
All ground transportation, Game drives, Park entrance fees, Chimp trekking permits in Kibale, Boat launches, Mineral Water all way, Ranger fees, All meals and Accommodation in mentioned budget places.

The prices Exclude: Flight Tickets from other tourist towns to Kigoma, Mahale and Gombe.
Gorilla Permits fee at $380 per person in Bwindi, Kyambura Gorge, items of personal effects, bar bills and all drinks, tips, personal insurance, air charters and laundry.

·         Kyambura gorge at $30

stsa-frica@lycos.com

NB: We provide safari and kilimanjaro trekking information for free, no any fee.
Write us an email and we will send you the electronic brochure for free. Welcome to Tanzania, Africa.
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© 2006 SMART TRAVELS & SAFARIS AFRICA (STSA) ® all rights reserved. We only reply emails with request of accommodations, travels, tourism, Safaris, mountaineering and General enquiries for need of Adventure Holidays in East Africa. We care all clients and charge fair prices for both sides.