The trip was a great introduction to Africa, Botswana and Zambia in particular. Meagan did a wonderful job in terms of putting together an amazing itinerary that was fun-filled and memorable. I really loved the intimate feel of the camps-how all the guests got to know each other a bit better just because we all ate at the same time and pretty much did our activities at the same time. I really appreciated the fact that the camps and hotels practiced sustainable tourism and were actively supporting habitat conservation. I am already looking forward to booking my next trip to Africa with Global Basecamps. Thank you so much, Megan Yash and Global Basecamps, for making my dream of visiting Africa a reality!
Western Tanzania Safaris
Western Tanzania, Tanzania
Prices From: $2450
Western Tanzania Safaris is an 8 day expedition including activities and accommodations in the two Basecamps of Greystoke Mahale and Chada Katavi. Available from June 1, 2008 - January 10, 2009. The descriptions of the two camps are as follows:
GREYSTOKE MAHALEOn a far-flung beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, below a huge story-book tropical forest, is the tiny sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. The water is as clear as gin, the air scented and the living is very easy indeed. The forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains rise behind camp, home to the world's largest known population pf chimpanzees, with approximately 1000 individuals inhabiting the national park. Each day you can venture out into the forest, to observe and commune with these, our closest relatives, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.
Your home at Greystoke Mahale is in wildly exotic wooden bandas looking out across the dhow timber. The six bandas are open-fronted, with dressing rooms, adjoining bathrooms accessible via a short boardwalk with flush toilets and powerful showers and upstairs chill-out decks designed with flair, generosity and a passion for the most demanding castaway.
The forest itself is special with 8 other species of primate, shyer forest mammals, birds, butterflies, giant vines and waterfalls. And if a day's 'chimping' isn't enough, you can snorkel or swim in the clear waters (there are over 250 species of cichlid in the lake), fish or kayak along the lake shore. You can have private barefoot dinners on the beach or get friendly in the wildly thatched mess complete with library and upstairs viewing decks. For some evening pizazz, there's the bar of all bars on the rocks of the headland with fresh sashimi and iced vodka and a view out west across the mighty waters of the lake.
CHADA KATAVIKatavi National Park is one of the greatest wildlife experiences of Africa. Miles from anywhere, it has an almost mythical status and it's thought to have a greater density of mammals than any other Tanzanian reserve. Massed on the plains are the last great herds of buffalo in East Africa, up to 1000 head. Rivers groan with hippopotamus and crocodile. Almost everywhere you look there's something grazing, bellowing, fighting, mating and hunting. Days on the hoof in Katavi can be wild beyond belief. In this mega-beast land, all animals need a really good place to hole up and for a decade Man's retreat has been Chada Katavi, hidden on a shady spit of acacias and tamarinds on the edge of the Chada plain.
From its elevated vantage point on a peninsula that rises out of miombo woodland, the camp is perfectly placed for amazing views out over the wide Chada Plain. The canopy tall trees are a great source of shade and food for the abundant animal and bird life. This often means seeing great game without even having to leave the camp.
Since we first hammered in the guy-ropes ten years ago, the camp has evolved into a rather civilized camp. Come dinnertime, the mess is nothing short of splendid, silverware gleaming and glasses shining in the lamplight. Hidden in the trees that flank it are six guest tents with fine wooden furniture, woven rugs and beds spread with crisp white Egyptian cottons. The tents are large, romantic and airy, the bathrooms bush-deluxe. The thoroughly good white wine sitting on your porch table is perfectly chilled.
Location
Region: Africa - Eastern and Southern
Nearest Airport: DAR
Address:
Western Tanzania
Tanzania
Amenities/Activities
All Meals
Day Tours
Hiking Trekking
Wildlife
Fishing
Family Friendly
General Information
Greystoke Mahale:
- PARK ENTRY FEES & CHIMP PERMITS:Park Fees of $80 per adult and $30 per child under 16 (per 24 hour stay) are included in rates. As of July 1, 2008, a supplemental $20 per person concession fee will apply. Chimp permits are being proposed at a likely fee of $150pppd+, with possible limitation of one permit per day. The National Parks are formulating their policy and we shall keep you updated. Please note that all fee's are subject to change.
- OUR RATES INCLUDE: Full Board Accomodation, Camping Fees, all drinks (except champagne), laundry airport transfers, all forest activities (until Chimp Permits are introduced), boating, kayaking, snorkeling and fishing activities.
- OUR RATES EXCLUDE: Chimp Permits (when introduced, these may be subject to special conditions), flights, gratuities, champagne, items of personal nature, insurance, flying doctors, and medical evacuation.
- MEDICAL INSURANCE & FLIGHT EVACUATION COVER: All clients traveling to Mahale must be covered by Flying Doctors. Unfortunately, clients not covered will be refused entry to the Camp. Cover varies between $30pp-$50pp, depending on entire length of safari and will be added to all invoices.
-TRIPLES: Triples are only available if the third person is a child under 12 years. Triples are not available for 3 adults. There is no reduced triple rates. Please note that we can only offer 2 Chimp vests per room. Children under 12 are not allowed to view the chimps and there is no third chimp visit possible for the third bed.
- CHILD POLICY: Our camps are, on the whole, child friendly and we enjoy hosting families in our Camps. However, to ensure minimum disturbance to other clients, we do not accept children under 12 to view the chimps. All children stay at their parents own risk.
-OPEN: Open year-round except for March 24, 2008- June 1, 2008
-CHIMP VIEWING RULES: Please note that we can only offer 2 Chimp visits per room. Children under 12 are not allowed to view the chimps and there is no chimp visit possible for the 3rd bed of a triple. Maximum of 6 people per group and this now includes Private Guides, escorting their clients. Chimp viewing is for one hour only, per group, and all clients must be a minimum of 10 meters away from the chimps. We shall be insisting that all clients wear face masks whilst in proximity to the chimps, to minimize transmission of contagious diseases. It must be clearly understood that any client showing symptoms of any contagious disease (Viral or Bacterial) will not be allowed into the Forest.
Chada Katavi:
-Camp arrival and departure on Monday's and Thursday's ONLY.
-- CHILD POLICY: We are delighted to accept children over the age of 8 at Chada Katavi. However, please note that only children of 12 and over can participate in any walking or fly camping activities. All children stay at their parents' own risk.
- OPEN: Year round except 11th February 2008 to 1st June 2008 when the camp will be closed for maintenance.
- PARK ENTRY FEES: Included in rates are Park Entry Fees- $20 per adult/ $5 per child under 16 (Park Fees are subject to change) As of July 1 2008 there will also be a $20 per person concession fee supplement.
- OUR RATES INCLUDE: Full Board Accomodation, Camping Fees, All Drinks (except champagne), Laundry, Airport Transfers (to/from lkuu only), All Safari Activities (except shared Fly-camping-available at supplement of $150 pppn and must be pre-booked).
- OUR RATES EXCLUDE: Flights, Airport Departure Taxes, Gratuities, Items of Personal Nature, Insurance, Flying Doctors & Medical Evacuation, Airport Transfers other than nearest airstrip (lkuu). Shared Fly-camping at $150pppn- min of 2 pax for a max of 2 nights and must be pre-booked. Sole use of vehicle and guide- at supplement of $125 per day, subject to availability.
-MEDICAL INSURANCE & FLIGHT EVACUATION COVER: All clients traveling to Katavi must be covered by Flying Doctors. Unfortunately, all clients not covered will be refused entry to the Camp. Cover varies between $20pp - $50pp, depending on length of entire safari and will be added into all invoices.
- TRIPLES: Triples are only available if the third person is a child under 12 years of age. Triples are not available for 3 adults. There is no reduced triple rate.
-BAGGAGE: Passengers are limited to soft bags and with a maximum total weight of 15kgs. Limitations are strictly adhered to on all flights within Tanzania, and Regional flights to other East African countries. This limitation includes hand baggage.
- SEASONS: December to February: green and lush after the short rains, great elephant and plains game sightings, fantastic birding opportunities and wild flowers all over the plains. May and June: green and lush after the long rains, one of the best times of the year to visit. July to October: drying out, the rivers and pools are drying up concentrating the game in certain areas which makes for amazing sightings. Daily temps getting hotter.
-Cancellations: Please note that group cancellation policies differ from individual cancellation policies.
Cancellation Policies
For FIT Bookings (3 rooms or less): Cancellations & postponements of confirmed safaris are only effective on receipt of a written notification, whereupon the deposit is forfeited. In the event of the cancellation or postponement of a confirmed safari, you will immediately become liable for a percentage of the full safari cost, as set out below:
-Confirmed safaris cancelled 60+ days prior to arrival ? full deposit is forfeited.
-Confirmed safaris cancelled 30 to 60 days prior to arrival ? 50% of full safari cost is payable.
-Confirmed safaris cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival - 100% of full safari cost is
payable.
For Group Bookings (4 rooms or more):
- Until 4 months out, up to half the rooms can be released without penalty.
- Between 4 and 6 months, if MORE than half the rooms release, 20% cancellation charges apply.
- Under 4 months, normal FIT cancellation charges apply.
Should you or the clients fail to join the safari or join it after the departure date, no refund can be made. Please note that if the reason for cancellation or postponement falls within the terms of any holiday insurance that you or the clients are holding, then any such charges will normally be refunded to you or the clients by the insurance company, subject to the terms of the insurance. We strongly recommend that all clients
traveling with Nomad Tanzania obtain full travel insurance valid from the date of confirmation of the safari, which will cover claims for any cancellation charges.
Client Testimonials
Stephanie, Custom Africa Trip
Thank you so much for finding the safari! It was the highlight of our trip. The facilities were rustic and great with just enough modern amenities to be really comfortable. All of the staff members made the stay extra memorable with their friendly personality's and A+ service. (Not to mention the food was delicious!) Thanks again Andres!
Elizabeth, South Africa Walking Safari
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