Western Tanzania
Western Tanzania is made up of Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Gombe Stream and Lake Tanganyika, all unexplored and stunningly beautiful – please do click on the links to see our recommended camps and lodges in Western Tanzania, although all of our holidays are tailor made and we can easily help to arrange anything you like.
Western Tanzania is unchartered territory is relatively undiscovered and still boasts some of the largest herds of animals in Africa, totally off the beaten track, it takes five hours to reach any part of Western Tanzania, but once there the reward of beauty, wildlife and untouched nature is unrivalled. Tailor made Tanzania has never been so unique with tracking chimpanzees in the Mahale mountains and Gombe Stream National Parks, or avoiding huge herds of buffalo and elephant in Katavi National Park.
Gombe National Park
Gombe stream national park is located in western Kigoma Region of Tanzania and it is the smallest park in the country. It has 20 square miles of forest running along the hills of the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika – the terrain distinguished by by steep valleys and forest vegetation ranging from grassland to alpine bamboo to tropical rainforest. It is only accessible by boat and it is famous for its chimpanzee populations.
Other primates inhabiting the park are beachcombers, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. The park also boasts of about 200 species of birds, 11 species of snakes and the occasional leopards and hippos. Trekking to see the chimpanzee and swimming in the snorkel in Lake Tanganyika where there are almost 100 kinds of colorful cichlid fish is a common tourist activity.
Mahale National Park
Located in the far west of the country on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and home to the best chimpanzee viewing in Africa, Mahale would stake its claim as one of the most exceptional and unique safari destinations on the continent.
The main attraction of Mahale is chimpanzee trekking, but Mahale offers so much more as well. It is a truly beautiful and incredibly remote location. Just being here and taking a stroll on the shoreline of Tanganyika is spectacular. You can go kayaking, snorkelling or fish out on the lake, spend hours walking through the forest spotting other smaller primates and plenty of birds, or climb through narrow tracks to discover hidden waterfalls.
Katavi National Park
One of the less visited park's in the land, although the third largest in Tanzania. Because of its remoteness Katavi is an untouched wilderness of floodplains and Miombo woodlands.
It's got several seasonal lakes and the Katuma River which guarantees resident animals presence. If you want to see huge buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles, the largest herds are concentrated in this park.
The roan and sable antelopes are common residents of this place, as well as the Giraffes, Leopards, Zebras, Lions and the African Jumbo. Hundreds of resident and migration birds frequent Katavi lakes. More than 400 species have been identified and recorded so far.
Rubondo Island National Park
Situated uniquely, it's the only park within a lake - NYANZA or VICTORIA the source of the River Nile, reached by sea Taxis - dhow. Rubondo, floating on the largest lake in Africa and 2nd largest in the world is the only park that offers a combination of wildlife and beaching excursions on white sand and palm trees papyrus swamp.
Rocky hills and low land plains guarantee a terrific walking and sunbathing experience. It's rich in wildlife such as Hippos, Crocodiles, Sitatungas, Giraffe, Elephants and Chimpanzees.
Rubondo Island is a bird paradise for East, Southern and Central Africa vultures breeding sites. Accommodation is offered at a tented lodge in the park.