Overview
The adventure is calling you. To discover a new path and new adventure you must dare to choose the unbeatable trails and this is the most unique tour to think about while planning for Africa Vacation.
This tour combines climbing experience and chimp trekking in Gombe and Mahale National Parks, one of the world’s most protected areas.
You will enjoy the stunning view of Momella lake while the volcanic rock features of Meru leave you astonished.
Take a flight or a long drive to the western side of the country to Gombe and Mahale to witness the outstanding nature never seen before in Tanzania.
Learn and enjoy the mysterious and fascinating facts and stories about Gorillas in Africa. Let’s help you to plan for your next Africa vacation.
Scope
- Duration: 11 Days Mount Meru & Chimp Trekking
- Price: From US $___ per person sharing
- Destination: Mount Meru, Mahale National Park & Kigoma
- Activities: Mount Meru Climbing & Chimp Trekking
- Enjoy charming and warmly team soon after arrival at the Airport and drop off at the hotel
- Enjoy the short ride from the airport to the hotel depending on arrival time, you can experience the semi-arid environment before reaching the beautiful city of Arusha.
- Expect to meet Blessing safaris Team for tour briefing and other arrangements
- A beautiful start of the day with a heavy breakfast and a hot shower at the hotel
- Expect to spend three days on climbing mount Meru while enjoying the best view ever for Arusha National Park
- Expect to travel with not only a travel guide but also a friendly and knowledgeable safari expert
- Expect the welcoming groups of chimps in these two unique parks while in Africa Safari.
- Stunning view of Mahale Mountain and Lake Tanganyika while doing chimp trekking
- Expect to spend some minutes waiting for clearance at the park gate of Mahale & Gombe
- Open your heart and mind for learning and experience the gorilla life.
- In Gombe & Mahale! we let the true nature amaze you, a typical walking tour where you can enjoy while learning the true essence and history of these parks.
- Delicious and healthy meals served on time, depending on the type of accommodation option you have chosen ( lodge, hotel, camping)… Also, you will have an option to visit cultural villages for an authentic Africa experience
- Sleep in a safe and neatly adventurous environment safe from wild animals and mosquitos
- Expect direct communication with the ground team for tour monitoring but also in-case of any emergency. Your safety is our priority.
- Return to Arusha for airport transfer or other arrangements with the Blessing Safaris team.
Itinerary
Accommodation: Maasai Land Hotel
After breakfast, spend your time taking memory photos together with your guides, cook, and porters before starting your journey. Within 40 minutes, you will reach the first gate in Arusha National Park known as Ngongongare Gate. After check-in at the Ngongongare gate, you keep on driving an hour and a half to Momella gate (starting point) where registration formalities will be completed. From there the ranger will escort the group, expecting to see different species of birds and animals such as Buffaloes, Elephants, Zebras, Giraffe, Monkeys, and Antelopes. You will gate to the first camp (Miriakamba camp) after 4 hours of hiking.
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. You will continue hiking slowly along the ridge for a spectacular view of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone. After lunch at Saddle Hut, you will take a short hike about 45 minutes to Little Meru (3,820 m) At the top before sunset, you can get a superb view of Rhino’s point, Meru crater, and the peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance. Return to the camp for an early dinner and get rest for the summit night.
Wake up around 11 pm and get ready for the summit. After breakfast, leave the camp around midnight, start hiking slowly to Rhino Point 3800 m, after the short break from Rhino point, proceed on a hike through the crater ridge where the trail turns narrow and harder. Remember to drink your water whenever you stop. You might be physically exhausted before reaching the summit but don’t give up, keep moving as you will soon reach the top and make your dream true. You will probably reach the summit of Meru 4,566 m during the sunrise, if the weather is good, you can see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. Take many photos and descend back to Saddle hut for lunch before proceeding down to Momella Gate where you will collect your certificates and drive back to your hotel or lodge in Arusha for a shower and celebrations.
After breakfast, our driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Arusha Airport. From there you leave Arusha on a shared charter flight to Mahale National Park. After landing on the Mahale airstrip, your next journey will start by boat to the lodge. On arrival, check-in at the lodge for lunch, relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Greystoke Mahale Lodge
After breakfast starts your beautiful day departing to the forest for Chimpanzee tracking. Return to the lodge at noon for a hot lunch. After relaxation, you can return to the forest for more Chimps tracking until evening where you return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Greystoke Mahale Lodge
After breakfast, depart to morning Chimps tracking, a few hours later start fishing activity in the lake before you return to the lodge for lunch. After a hot lunch, depart for boating in the lake where you will enjoy seeing bird species as well as game viewing and relaxation. Evening, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Greystoke Mahale Lodge
The morning after breakfast, you will take a boat ride to Kigoma town for lunch. After lunch, your adventure proceeds by transferring to the lake for a boat to Gombe National Park for dinner and overnight at the luxury tented Camp.
Accommodation: Gombe Forest Lodge
After breakfast, leave the camp for Chimpanzee Tracking in the forest, after a picnic lunch in the forest, spend the rest of the time trekking to Kakombe WaterFalls where you will make your day so special. Evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodatin: Gombe Forest Lodge
After breakfast, spend another full day in the Gombe National Park, start with morning chimps tracking in the Gombe stream forest until lunchtime. After lunch, trek to Jane’s Peak where you can get an amazing view of the park, before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Gombe Forest Lodge
After breakfast, depart to the lake ready for a boat back to Kigoma town for lunch at Hotel in Kigoma, discover the city of Kigoma and Ujiji town for short historical tours. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kigoma Hilltop Hotel
After breakfast, depart to the Airport in Kigoma for your flight back to Arusha. Depending on your flying time, we will take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) the airport to catch your home flight. As we come to the end of your Africa vacation, our team wishes you a safe journey back home, we are delighted to express our gratitude for choosing us as your host in Africa. We believe you have learned, enjoyed, and exchange social tokens with our friendly team. Bon, voyage
Costs & Inclusions
Check the availability and departure dates, and costs for this tour. However, the set dates listed are particularly quoted for the group joining opportunity, if the list is not suitable for you and you want to customize this trip, please feel free to contact us for your customized departure date. Meanwhile, Private trips are available on any date of your selection that suits you.
Tour Includes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- Transport to and from Arusha National Park
- Clean, purified drinking water
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Accommodation for all days on Mount Meru (Hut)
- Mount Meru entrance fees/conservation fees
- Rescue Fees and all taxes.
- Fair salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
Tour Excludes
- International and local airfare.
- Optional tours
- Personal expenses example Laundry, beverages, etc.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance.
- Sleeping Bags and walking poles.
- Tips for Porters, Cook, and Guide
Booking Process
If you’re satisfied enough with the information, you can book this tour directly, remember to confirm your booking by a deposit of 40% of the total cost per person. This is needed to secure accommodation and other services which belong to third parties. At that point, we will issue you with an invoice that includes a balance due date. We must receive the full payment not less than thirty (30) days before the departure date. In the case of holidays booked within less than thirty (30) days of the departure date, we must receive the full cost within seven (7) working days of our sending written confirmation and invoice. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit, as well as any other cancellation charges. Before you do any payment don’t hesitate to discuss with your tour planner the best option. Your satisfaction is our happiness.
General Travel Information
Climate. Tanzania climate is tropical and there are two rain seasons the longer being March through May and the shorter between October and November. The dry season lasts from July through October with clear sky and sunshine the whole day. The weather is suitable for beach vacations. The coastal area is normally hot and humid.
Visa: Coming to Tanzania has been made easy for visitors. It is easy to obtain a Tanzanian visa and there are three ways to obtain it: You can get a visa from a Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission from your country or upon arrival at the port of entry or you can apply online via Tanzania Immigration site, that is, the airport or at the border port. The above procedure applies to North American and European citizens. For more details about visas please contact the nearest Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission in your area.
Tanzania’s International Airports: Tanzania has two international airports, one outside the commercial capital Dar es Salaam (airport code: DAR) and the other near Arusha (and Mount Kilimanjaro) called Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO). Charter flights and some international operators fly directly to Zanzibar Island (airport code: ZNZ)
Getting to Tanzania: If you’re planning to visit Northern Tanzania, the best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). KLM has daily flights from Amsterdam. Ethiopian and Kenya Airways / Precision Air also fly into KIA.
If you’re planning to visit Zanzibar, southern and western Tanzania, it is ideal to fly to the capital city of Dar es Salaam. European carriers that fly into Dar es Salaam include British Airways, KLM and Swissair(which share codes with Delta). There are long-distance bus services between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Attractions: The country has a lot to offer educationally, historically, for leisure and adventures. These adventures are safaris (game) driving in the National Parks like Serengeti, Manyara, and Tarangire to see wildlife, historical sites such as museums, landscapes, mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, and culture.
Social life: The country has more than 120 tribes. Each tribe has its own vernacular. Although there are many languages “Swahili” was adopted as the national language in 1961 right after independence. The language has spread and is being used in the neighboring countries of Uganda, Kenya, and Central Africa. English is the second official language of the nation. You will find that Tanzanians are very welcoming and friendly.
Political system: Tanzania is perhaps the leading country on the continent of Africa for its political stability, peace, and tranquility. The political system is multi-party and the government is democratic. Political and religious conflicts are resolved through dialogue. In short, religious and tribal conflicts are very rare in this country because every citizen is free to worship as he/she pleases provided that one does not violate the law of the land
Currency: The national currency of Tanzania is the “shilling” (Tshs). Exchange rates vary and are subject to change anytime. Credit cards such as Euro-card, American Express, Master Card, Access, and Visa are accepted by most tourists’ hotels, carving shops, bureau de change, and banks. Also, Traveler’s Cheques in sterling pounds and US dollars are acceptable.
Religions: Because of its historical diversity Tanzania is a land of various religions. Nevertheless, the major religions are Christianity, Islam, Hindu, and African Traditional Religions. On the east coast – Dar es salaam, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, and Tanga – the dominant religions are Islam and Hindu. This is due to the advent of Arabs and Eastern Indians which led to the spread of the two religions. The mainland is dominantly Christian and this is since European colonists, like Arabs, spread the Christian religion to the indigenous people.
Infrastructure & Accessibility: Major roads are paved and accessible throughout the year. Side roads and those around and within the National Parks are muddy and rough. For this reason, a 4WD car is required for safaris. Four-wheel cars include Toyota Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and Toyota Hiace 4WD. These are the cars commonly used. The railway is also used in the eastern, southern, central, and western parts of the country.
Time: The time zone is GMT + 3 and the electricity is 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz.
This comes not actually from the company side but has something to do with yourself, you may wish to support locals by buying souvenirs or you may arrange some extra tours around the city or tipping to your team. Is the best way to acknowledge others as one of the best practices in life. Feel comfortable to discuss with your tour planner anytime
As any other endeavor challenges are part of the journey, you may experience congestion while arriving or you may experience network outage in most of the areas while on safari. Bear in mind that there are challenges which we can control as human beings but in case of natural disasters that we do not wish to happen if we are supposed to stop your tour, immediate actions are necessary to save a life.
Packing for a Tanzania safari is vastly different from packing for just about any other trip, and it offers a different challenge depending on whether you’re a solo traveler, family or couples. Not only do most safari-goers have weight restrictions on bush flights (a typical weight restriction is 15 kilograms or 33 pounds total per person, including camera equipment and carry-ons), but you also have the challenge of knowing which types of clothes to wear on safari are appropriate. We’ve been leading tours for years in Tanzania, and have put together our tips for what to pack for an African safari.
Duffel or soft-sided bag, TSA approved clear toiletry case,2 pairs of pants in the breathable fabric in earth tones,1 – 2 long sleeve shirts in chambray or earth tones,3 layering tanks or T-shirts, Utility jacket, Light scarf, Sports bra, Wide brim hat with chin strap, Closed-toe shoes like trail runners or fashion sneakers with good traction, Waterproof dry bag, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Insect repellent with Deet, conditioner, Lip balm, Plug adapters/converters, USB flash drive, Memory cards for your camera and First aid kit
Travel insurance is very crucial once it comes to travel around the world, for any traveler. Getting travel insurance in Tanzania made easy through third parties companies which are dealing specifically with evacuation in case of any emergency during your tour, we do not sale it but we will be happy to recommend reliable compressive travel insurance that covers things like emergency helicopter rescue, medical evacuations expense it will be assisted protection tour to cover personal injury, repatriation expenses, and any kind of possibility illness will be covered. Having good travel insurance guarantees peace of mind while traveling, safety comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are determined to ensure that you experience the luxury of genuinely memorable travel. On every trip, we aim to create a ‘charmed space’ within which you can relax, absorb fresh insights, be stimulated and charmed by new encounters – and have fun!
Whether traveling alone or with friends, Blessing Safaris guests often mention how particularly agreeable they find their traveling companions. our groups are deliberately small, comprising 2 to 7 guests especially for safari.
Our team carefully researched and focused on trips which attract people with the same interest and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.
Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.
Memorable meals are one of the hallmarks of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed. Depending on the service level or type of tour you have chosen, pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win situation for an enjoyable diet. Other tours are accompanied by our cook and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners include hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges
Help us to help you by organizing even better tours, and save money. If you contact us in advance you will save a big deal in terms of price as you have the best time for negotiation and customization of the tour with a safari planner and save more.
Why not? , We offer private tours whether you’re alone or with family and friends celebrating a special anniversary or planning a reunion of family and friends you can discuss with us. We can create a special itinerary away from traffic, travel in style with the itinerary specifically shaped to your requirements.
The answer is absolutely yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos. We conduct safaris in places that are politically stable to assure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.
African safaris guarantee unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the core characters of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”). On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified! Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises one could ever imagine! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.
This aspect is much overstated. You will rarely see a snake, but if you do, it will most likely be from the safety of your safari vehicle. Tents and lodges all have bug screens fitted to windows and doors. In most areas where bugs or mosquitoes are prevalent, rooms and tents are also equipped with mosquito nets, adding to the idealistic ambiance. Bear in mind that malaria is a threat in most wildlife areas, and it is necessary to consult your doctor for advice before embarking on your safari.
Tanzania destinations are accessible throughout the year but we advise you to take your tours during the dry session for the safari so as you can enjoy the best sightings at this time as the grasses and bush are at their least dense. July to October and December through February. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you have also a plan to coincides with Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park
Around the turn of the century (until the ’30s and ’40s), mobile tenting was the only option, and “camp as you go” was the standard practice. Over the years the luxury connected with the traditional mobile tenting safari has increased. By the same token, one can understand that the cost of having a “luxury hotel” following one around in Africa is expensive. However, most people settle for permanent tented camps. Because they are “permanent” they can be equipped with flush toilets and traditional bathroom fixtures and conveniences. Don’t be misled by terminology – a permanent tented camp offers the comfort of a 5-star hotel but with the romance and adventure of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Africa.
(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.
Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken throughout Africa, this presents no problem as English is spoken throughout East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual so we get you covered
