Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0713-620154;
www.mbalimbali.com
;
per person all-inclusive except drinks US$550;
mid-May-mid-Feb; ) A lovely place with 10 spacious and widely spaced double
tents and a comfy dining area-lounge. The price includes chimp tracking.
Flycatcher Camp
TENTED CAMP $$$
( 0732-979486;
www.flycat.com
; s/d all-inclusive except drinks US$240/400; Jul-
Oct) By far the simplest and smallest of Mahale's private camps, just six basic tents on the
beach and a thatched-roof open dining area.
INFORMATION
Entry fees are US$80/30 per adult/child five-15 years. Children under seven years aren't
permitted to enter the forest. Park headquarters, where all fees are paid, are at Bilenge in the
park's northwestern corner, about 10 minutes by boat south of the airstrip and 20 minutes
north of Kasiha, site of the park's
bandas
and guides' residences. As there's no phone ser-
vice in the park (Zain works at the airstrip), all advanced arrangements are done online at
sokwe@mahale.org or
www.mahalepark.org
.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
There are many ways to reach Mahale; most either expensive or difficult.
Air
Safari Airlink
(
www.flysal.com
; Mon & Thu) and
Zantas Air
(
www.zantasair.com
;
Tue
& Fri) fly to Mahale twice-weekly, the former starting in Dar es Salaam and the later in
Arusha, when there are enough passengers (usually four) to cover costs. Zantas continues
to Kigoma, but doesn't fly in the other direction. Flycatcher, which operates a camp in the
park, has Monday and Friday flights from Arusha during the July to October high season
and will sell seats (US$625) if seats are available. All flights stop at Katavi National Park
en route, and thus the parks are frequently visited as a combination package. Expect to pay
approximately US$930 one way from Dar, US$825 one way from Arusha and US$400 one
way between Mahale and Katavi National Parks. A four-seater charter flight from Kigoma
costs about US$850 per plane.
If you've booked with one of the lodges, a boat will meet your flight. Otherwise, arrange a
boat in advance with park headquarters.
