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MBALI MBALI GOMBE LODGE

Are You Planning An African Safari To Gombe In Tanzania? Scroll Down..

GUIDE ON MBALI MBALI GOMBE LODGE IN TANZANIA

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A Tanzanian chimpanzee safari in Gombe Stream National Park is an utterly mind-blowing primate experience, especially based at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, the refurbished Gombe Luxury Tented Camp where you can enjoy every aspect of an African primate holiday expedition. From this uniquely charismatic canvas lodge, AfricanMecca guests can trek in the spectacular scenery of a mountain-side rain forest with lacelike waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet and sunbathe on the endless beaches of beautiful Lake Tanganyika, one of the oldest and largest lakes in the world at 12 million years of age and almost a mile deep.



It is an aquatic wonderland where you can swim, snorkel and watch over 200 species of tropical cichlid fish but parts of it also has crocodiles and hippos too. Most importantly, on your primate tour in Gombe Forest, you can make the acquaintance of the Katsakela community of chimpanzees which Dr. Jane Goodall studied for 50 years, discovering many similarities between them and human beings, their closest genetic kin.

You can observe family interactions, social behavior and even the use of tools, which were unimaginable before Jane dedicated herself to learning about the chimps, protecting them and their environment, and finally using her work as a lever to improve the lives of human beings who once shared their 52 square kilometer patch of remote, primordial woodland. Gombe is the smallest national park in Tanzania, situated on the edge of the Rift Valley on the shore of Lake Tanganyika and accessible only by boat from Kigoma town, some 10 miles away.

Accommodation At Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge

Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge is an exclusive Tanzanian primate tour venue, catering for a maximum of fourteen AfricanMecca guests in 7 deluxe safari tented bandas with corrugated roofs, which extend over raised private wooden decks, shaded by huge old mango trees overlooking the fabulous cream shores of Lake Tanganyika (read more on where to stay in Gombe National Park).



Inside a permanent, open-sided timbered Mbali Mbali structure, heavy canvas provides mosquito-proof living space with roll up canvas doors, and unzipping window meshes to make the most of every fresh breath of air and natural light. With flush toilets and showers in adjoining sections, each room has twin or double sized wooden four-poster beds with well-founded mattress bases, contrasting crisp linens, lamps on a small table and on the decked floor, cupboard, Colonial style dressing desk and chair: all locally crafted. There is 24-hour electricity and hot water.

On your balcony in paradise, there is also a small table and safari chairs to enable you to relax and enjoy the amazing sunsets over the lake. The canvas rooms are set widely apart for total isolation on the woodland strip between the coast and the mountain. Staff are conscientious, friendly and imaginative. The dwellings are clean and welcoming. Linens are unforgettably scented with the evocative spice island cinnamon. A small reception lodge built on stilts on the beach contains bar, lounge, library, dining mess, jetty leading to the lake, and there are comfortable sun loungers on the beach (view map of Gombe in Tanzania to appreciate its remoteness).

Safari At Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge

A two to five hour morning Gombe chimp safari trek through tropical rain forest may bring you within call of the Kasakela chimpanzee community. Since they usually hang out, literally, in the tree canopy, the first thing to alert you to their presence will be a chorus of hoots. Your guide will have briefed you as to their possible whereabouts, but they range widely, so you are not always guaranteed to find them on single trek; therefore, multiple days stay is highly recommended.



There is a higher probability of tracking chimps down on the lower slopes and closer to the shore during the dry season. If unwell, you will not be allowed on the trek because the primates, which are the main focus of a primate trip to Gombe, are vulnerable to infection. You normally have to wear face masks covering your mouth and nose. Children under fifteen with their undeveloped immune systems are not allowed on Africa chimpanzee tours at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge.

There are other strict rules: not approaching within 10 meters; not bringing food or leaving human artifacts, and burying all traces of human presence. You will only be permitted to observe the chimpanzees for an hour as they play, groom each other, swing from the trees with their young clamped around their midriffs, or, possibly, fish for ants in termite mounds using a stick as a tool. In the afternoons, there are many other activities, such as sunbathing or snorkeling, lake swimming, or walking in the forest to visit the breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls and the surrounding avian life. All add to the magic of your exploratory Tanzanian chimp vacation with AfricanMecca.

Dining At Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge

Food at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge is a delight, featuring traditional Tanzanian cuisine such as fluffy white cassava, boiled or crisply chipped, and meat or chicken stew with coconut and plantain bananas. Dinners are largely based on the varied daily catch of fresh fish, delicious tilapia, and rich Nile perch (Sangara), roasted or fried, or dried small sardine-like Dagaa boiled in delicious sauces of red/green pepper, onion and tomato. Vegetarian and other special diets can be arranged by prior notice. There is a modest wine list and beers, spirits, juices. Beverages such as Tanzanian teas and coffees are readily available.



Meals at the camp revolve around the half-day Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge chimpanzee safari (read more on when is the best time to visit Gombe National Park). So, after an English breakfast with fruit juice, you set off in groups of six AfricanMecca guests for a two to five hour trek in search of the chimp community, returning for lunch with nutritious salads and tasty dessert before spending the afternoon on the beach, snorkeling or leisure swimming, or bird walking in the forest.



Apart from the world-famous chimps, the area boasts several other primates, many unusual mammals, many beautiful birds (200 species) from kingfishers, hornbills to eagles, and 250 beautiful species of butterflies. Enjoy your sundowner around the campfire so typical of travel in Africa; thereafter, sharpen your appetite for a romantic candle-lit three-course dinner on the beach, where you can watch the scintillating lights of a flotilla of fishing boats reflected in the moon reflecting waters of the Tanganyika lake.

Related Pages

1. Gombe Chimpanzee Safari Park Guide 2. Best Time & Weather To Visit Gombe For Chimpanzee Safari
3. Gombe Map 4. Safari Lodges, Camps & Hotels In Gombe

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AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS

What are our Customers saying about us? READ MORE REVIEWSfive star africanmecca safaris reviews

  • If you want a safari company with whom you’ll feel truly cared for, then you won’t do better than AfricanMecca Safaris. Visiting Gombe had been a dream since I was a kid and watched the National Geographic with Jane Goodall.
    Dr Leigh Harwood - Virginia, United States
  • I recently returned from a trip to Tanzania with a party of eleven people (Canisius College school group) visiting remote Chimpanzee and Wildlife in Gombe, Mahale, Selous. I am pleased to report that I was entirely satisfied in every respect.
    Dr. Michael Noonan - Professor At Canisius College - New York, United States
  • We have just recently returned from our trip to Tanzania. The ladies in our party are fans of Jane Goodall so Gombe was on the list, we couldn't imagine a trip there. Our thanks to the AfricanMecca team and Raza for a most exceptional trip!
    Warren & Sharon Hanselman - California, United States
  • I booked my safari holiday through AfricanMecca. They were the most helpful company I have ever dealt with and I work within the travel industry. I had the most amazing time. The holiday went as clockwork with no hitches anywhere.
    Shelley Roberts - Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom
  • Dear Raza, Just to let you know we had a great adventure at Gombe Stream National Park. All went well. Saw chimps every day and lots of them on first and last day. Service and food at the camp was excellent. I would highly recommend this trip.
    Ron Deutch - US Embassy - Bujumbura, Burundi
  • We saw more than 20 chimpanzees including chimps I've read about -- Freud, Faustino, Wilkie... so amazing. We had an absolutely amazing trip in Arusha, Serengeti and Gombe - everything went smooth as silk. Thank you so much Raza
    Tiffany Heitz & Lesley Smith - California, United States
  • We have enjoyed nature in other places in the world, however nothing compares to the excitement of trekking chimpanzees in the hills of Gombe National Park. We sincerely thank AfricanMecca and Raza Visram for their personalized service.
    Dr. Gabriel Trueba - Universidad San Francisco de Quito - Ecuador

EAST AFRICA SAFARI BOOKING TRIP IDEA FOR MBALI MBALI GOMBE LODGE IN GOMBE STREAM TANZANIA

When staying at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge in Gombe Stream National Park, we recommend combining it with your Northern Tanzania safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti (wildebeest migration). End your trip with a Swahili cultural tour and beach holiday in Zanzibar.

You may optionally extend out to offbeat parks in Southern and Western Tanzania such as Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha or Katavi.

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ARE YOU PLANNING A CHIMPANZEE PRIMATE SAFARI TO GOMBE IN TANZANIA?

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