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FOOTSTEPS OF LIVINGSTONE
19 DAYS HOTELS/HOSTEL/BANDAS/OVERNIGHT TRAIN IN LIVINGSTONE'S FOOTSTEPS THROUGH WESTERN TANZANIA We journey by train, boat and 4WD into the remote reaches of Western Tanzania, a region first explored by Livingstone in the late 19th century. This is an area of spectacular beauty and home to two of Africa's most inspiring national parks: Katavi and Mahale. Katavi is perhaps Tanzania's best-kept secret, boasting an amazing variety and concentration of wildlife, while Mahale is acknowledged as the best place in all Africa for viewing chimpanzees in the wild. But our route focuses on more than just wildlife: we explore the shores of Lake Malawi by dug-out canoe, visit Sumbawanga and the dramatic Kalamba Falls, and take a spectacular boat journey up the east coast of Lake Tanganyika. Mbeya & Lake Malawi From Dar es Salaam we catch the overnight sleeper train to Mbeya, capital of Tanzania's southern uplands, and transfer to our hotel on a coffee estate at the foot of Mbeya Peak (2,826m). From this base we explore the area by 4WD, including visits to the Songwe Valley caves and hot springs, then head south across the Poroto mountains to Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa). Here we take time to enjoy the lake and its attractive backdrop: the Livingstone Mountains. Lake Tanganyika & Mahale We drive north to Sumbawanga, in the Mbizi mountains, and from here visit the remote and spectacular Kalambo falls, the second highest in Africa at 221 metres. Next we come to Katavi National Park, an untouched wilderness whose vast open plains boast a density of wildlife completely at odds with its very low numbers of visitors. No more than two or three hundred people make it here each year to witness the largest buffalo herds in all Africa, awesome hippo and crocodile populations, plus very high numbers of predators: lions, leopards, hyenas and others. Lake Tanganyika & Mahale After two full days of game viewing
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FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Dar es Salaam. 2 Arrive Dar. 3 Overnight sleeper train to Mbeya. 4 Arrive Mbeya; free afternoon. 5 In Mbeya, visit surrounding area by 4WD. 6 Via Kiltulo NP to Matema. 7 On Lake Malawi, explore shoreline by dug-out canoe. 8 Across Southern Highlands to Sumbawanga. 9 In Sumbawanga, visit Kalambo Falls (250m). 10 Drive to Katavi NP . 11 & 12 In Katavi; full day game drives. 13 Drive Karema, charter boat to Mahale. 14 & 15 In Mahale Mounatians NP; game viewing. 16 Charter boat to Kigoma. 17 Optional visit to Ujiji; afternoon flight to Dar es Saalam. 18 Free morning; fly London. 19 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 10nts hotel, 2nts hostel, 3nts bandas, 1nt overnight train; 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners included. See p41. Mode of Travel: Sleeper Train/4WD Safari Vehicles/Charter Boat/Flight/On Foot. Comment: Accommodation and the general infrastructure in Western Tanzania are quite basic and you must be prepared to accept late changes to the itinerary. At Mahale we stay in bandas (huts with very simple furnishings). Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus drivers, boatmen, trackers & wildlife guides. Group Size: Approx. 9 to 11.
in Katavi we continue by 4WD to Karema, on Lake Tanganyika. We board our chartered boat and set off up the eastern shoreline of Lake Tanganyika to the Mahale Mountains National Park. Here we camp in local bandas (simple huts with twin beds and en suite facilities) for three nights whilst exploring the park in search of its famous population of chimpanzees. Finally we charter a boat to take us north to the sleepy, lakeside town of Kigoma, where we stay overnight before returning by air to Dar.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 19 days Sun to Thu
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2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only 23 Nov-11 Dec 2945 2545 28 Dec-15 Jan 2975 2575 Land Only tour: 17 days - start Dar es Salaam day 2 (Mon), end Dar es Salaam day 18 (Wed) Plus Local Payment: US$400 (approx £195) payable Dar es Salaam Single Room Option: £180* see p41 for details. These are guide prices, see p45 for details.
Friendly school children
Footsteps of Livingstone Ref BFL
Lake Tan g an y
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TANZANIA
INDIAN OCEAN KIGOMA
Chimp search
Karema
MAHALE NP KATAVI NP
Game Drives
Kalambo Falls
ik a
SUMBAWANGA MBEYA MATEMA
DAR ES SALAAM
ZAMBIA
km
Lake Malawi
500
Angelic chimpanzee
Essential information about our tours see pages 38-51
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