Kigoma

Übersicht

Kigoma, a bustling port city, lies nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. Indeed, its strategic location makes it the most significant town in the entire Kigoma Region. This historic hub serves as a vital gateway to some of Africa’s most unique wildlife experiences. Historically, this Tanzanian city holds significance as the endpoint of the Central Line railway from Dar es Salaam, making it a crucial trade and transportation nexus for centuries. Furthermore, the town is famous for its association with explorers David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley, whose legendary meeting point in Ujiji is just a short distance away. This rich heritage makes Kigoma a fascinating destination.

Kigoma City: Access to Primate Sanctuaries

What truly sets Kigoma City apart? Primarily, it is the essential base for visiting two of Africa’s premier chimpanzee national parks: Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. Firstly, travelers typically embark on boat journeys from Kigoma to reach the remote shores of Gombe, where Jane Goodall conducted her groundbreaking research. Secondly, larger, more comfortable boats also ferry visitors south across Lake Tanganyika to the pristine Mahale Mountains, another haven for wild chimpanzees. The city thus becomes an indispensable starting point for unparalleled primate trekking adventures. The deep, ancient waters of Lake Tanganyika itself, teeming with endemic fish species, provide a stunning backdrop to all excursions from this vibrant lakeside location.

Local Experiences and Travel Connectivity

Beyond being a gateway, the Kigoma Region offers its own unique charm. Visitors can explore local markets, witnessing the daily life of this bustling port. Additionally, a visit to the Ujiji Memorial, commemorating the Livingstone-Stanley meeting, provides historical insights. The classic MV Liemba, one of the world’s oldest operating passenger ferries, departs from Kigoma, offering a unique journey down Lake Tanganyika’s coast. Moreover, its connection via rail and air to other parts of Tanzania makes travel here accessible, albeit a journey. Ultimately, for those seeking adventure, history, and incredible wildlife encounters with chimpanzees, this western Tanzanian city offers a truly distinct and memorable experience.

Safari-Touren nach Kigoma

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Unterkünfte in Kigoma

Marafiki Beach Hotel
Nimali Mara
Olmorijo Migration Camp (Kogatende)
Serengeti Sound of Silence Tented Camp
Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
Karatu Tented Lodge
Tarangire Safari Haven Camp
Lake Burunge Tented Lodge

Die Lake Burunge Tented Lodge liegt in spektakulärer Lage direkt am Ufer des Burunge

WEITERLESEN
La Luna Suite Apartments
Mwezi Boutique Resort

FAQ Über Kigoma

Kigoma is known for:

  • Lake Tanganyika: Its prime location on the eastern shore of this enormous and ancient lake, which is a major draw for tourism and trade.
  • Historical Significance (Livingstone & Stanley): It’s famous as the near-by meeting point of explorers David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley in Ujiji, just south of Kigoma, in 1871, where the famous line “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” was uttered.
  • Port Town: It’s a crucial port for ferry services across Lake Tanganyika to various towns in Tanzania (e.g., Mahale Mountains National Park), Zambia, and Burundi.
  • Gateway to Chimpanzee Parks: It’s the primary access point for visiting Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park, both renowned for their chimpanzee tracking experiences.
  • Cassava Cultivation: The surrounding region is a major producer of cassava, a staple crop in the area.

While Kigoma itself is a bustling town, its main attractions are often found in its immediate vicinity and via the lake:

  • Ujiji: Just 6 km (4 miles) south of Kigoma. This historic village is where Henry Morton Stanley finally found Dr. David Livingstone. You can visit the Livingstone-Stanley Memorial and the Old Slave Market Tree, remnants of a darker history.
  • Port of Kigoma: Experience the lively atmosphere of the port, observing the loading and unloading of goods, and watching the traditional dhows and the historic MV Liemba ferry.
  • Mahale Mountains National Park:ss=”citation-1306 citation-end-1306″> (Accessible by boat from Kigoma) One of Africa’s premier chimpanzee tracking destinations, known for its pristine natural beauty and the opportunity to see chimps in a truly wild setting.
  • Gombe Stream National Park: (Accessible by boat from Kigoma) The smaller and more famous of the two chimpanzee parks, renowned for Dr. Jane Goodall’s long-term research.
  • Lake Tanganyika: Enjoy activities on the lake, such as swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing on its sandy shores. The lake is home to incredible biodiversity, particularly its endemic cichlid fish.
  • Kigoma Market: Explore the local market to experience daily life, find fresh produce, and perhaps pick up some local crafts.

class=”citation-1302″>Kigoma has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.

  • Dry Season (May to October): This is generally considered the best time to visit. The weather is more pleasant, less humid, and the lake waters are typically calmer for boat transfers to the chimpanzee parks. It’s also the peak season for chimpanzee tracking as the chimps tend to stay on lower slopes.
  • Wet Season (November to April): The landscape is lush and green, and there are fewer tourists. -1300″>However, the weather can be hot and humid, and heavy rains can make roads difficult and lake conditions choppier for transfers.</span> This period can still be good for birdwatching.

 

    • <l

i>B

    • y Air: The most convenient way to reach

Kigoma

    • is by domestic flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

Kigoma Airport (TKQ) is served by airlines like Precision Air and Coastal Aviation.

  • By Rail: The historic Central Line railway connects Kigoma to Dar es Salaam. This is a very long journey (2-3 days) but offers a unique, adventurous way to travel and see the Tanzanian landscape. Services can be infrequent and prone to delays.
  • By Road: Driving to Kigoma is possible from various parts of Tanzania, but roads can be challenging, especially during the wet season. It’s a very long and often rough journey, best undertaken with a robust 4×4 vehicle and experienced drivers.
  • By Ferry: The MV Liemba, a historic ferry built in 1913, operates a weekly service along Lake Tanganyika, connecting Kigoma with Mpulungu in Zambia and various points along the Tanzanian coast, including Mahale Mountains National Park. This is a journey for the adventurous and those with flexible schedules.

Kigoma is generally considered safe for tourists, but like any town, it’s advisable to take precautions:

    • Petty Crime: Be aware of pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially in crowded areas like the market or port.
    • Nighttime: Avoid walking alone after dark. Use reputable taxis for transport.
    • Local Transport: If using local transport (daladalas or bajajis), be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure.
    • Health: Malaria is present, so consult your doctor about antimalarials. Use insect repellent, especially at dusk. Drink bottled or treated water.

</ul>

    • <l

i>C

    • urrency:

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).</span> While some larger hotels might accept US Dollars, it’s essential to have shillings for local purchases and smaller transactions. ATMs are available in town.

  • Languages: Swahili is the main language spoken. English is understood by many people involved in tourism.

 

class=”citation-1294″>Kigoma offers a range of accommodation options, from basic guesthouses to mid-range hotels. Most travelers flying to the chimpanzee parks will spend one night in Kigoma before or after their park visit.

  • Mid-range hotels: Such as the Kibirizi Lodge or Leaders Lodge, offering comfortable rooms and amenities.
  • Guesthouses: Numerous local guesthouses provide more budget-friendly options.
  • No luxury hotels: High-end safari lodges are found within Gombe and Mahale National Parks, not in Kigoma town itself.

<span class=”citation-1291″>Yes, it’s possible to take a public dhow (local wooden boat) from Kigoma to Mahale Mountains National Park. This is a long, often crowded, and adventurous journey that can take 6-10 hours or more, depending on conditions and stops. It’s significantly cheaper than private charters but less comfortable and reliable. Many visitors opt for private boat transfers arranged by their safari operator for direct access to Mahale.

Weguide African Safari on Trip Advisor

Hier sind einige Erfahrungsberichte unserer Reisenden über ihre Erlebnisse mit WeGuide African Safaris

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Based on 16 reviews
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Hiked Kilimanjaro (6 days) and went on a Safari (5 days Kilimanjaro Hike was amazing! Our guide (Mollel) and porters were all excellent. They were each knowledgable, encouraging and friendly. They took time to get to know us and understand our needs. They helped us feel comfortable with the challenge and enabled us to enjoy our trek from start to finish!Our Safari was equally outstanding! Again, we had terrific guides (Sam & Tembo). They, too, were knowledgable, accommodating and made each day a super fun adventure for all of us! They were incredible at tracking down all of the Big 5! They even found the black rhinos!The Value for the Money was unreal, as well. I would 100% recommend Soul of Tanzania to anyone who is looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Tanzanian experience!
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Shairanking F
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Unforgettable Safari and experience at its best Journey to Africa My friend and I did a 8 day Safari, starting in Tarangire NP, Serengeti central and South (Ndutu) with big Migration, Ngorongoro crater and Lake Tanganyika. All planning including our wishes and suggestions from Weguide Safari what is best for the time we were traveling were done with WhatsApp. The communication was very easy with very quick respondSo we had an excellent Safari with weguide africa safaris with nice, safe and quite large accommodations and tented camps, including good food.I think our guide Mollel will be the best guide you can find. He has a very good knowledge about animals and their behavior, wildlife and Tanzania culture. Besides he is helpful, friendly and a very good and save driver.We have seen all Big 5 and a great number of other animals living there.He even could find animals hidden under bushes or in trees in a great distance and getting closer we could watch them very, very nearby.My brother with family did the Safari before us with Guide Kennedy. and we all together have the same opinion that this Safari couldn't be topped.It was my best Safari I've done until now and I couldn't imagine getting something better. So much wildlife!!!!I would it recommend to 100%
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GreengatePeter
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SOLO TRIP TO TANZANIA SAFARI WITH WEGUIDE AFRICA SAFARIS ( 100% I RECCOMENDED WEGUID FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS) Tanzania as a safari destination has it all: if this is your first safari and your driving ambition is to get some amazing sightings and to rack up the big 5 as soon as possible then Ngorongoro Conservation Area is probably the best place in the world. Head for the Serengeti, however, if you have time for a longer safari and your goal is to take time to roam – moving as a nomad with the vast herds, or simply skitting across the savannah between the rock outcrops that are the lookout posts of the Serengeti prides. The Serengeti remains for me (alongside Botswana’s Kalahari) as one of the very best places in the world to experience the awe-inspiring vastness of the African wilderness. There is no feeling like being in the middle of the incomparable immensity of the savannah with no other vehicle in sight and a herd of wildebeest stretching as far as the eye can see towards the horizon.
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GoPlaces65996083400
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Tanzanian Romantic Safari for Couple Unforgettable honeymoon - safari & beach holidayOverall, great experience with WeGuide Celia has been extremely helpful in tailoring the itinerary for the safari and has assisted us all along the process.Our guide, Sam, and was always on time and truly did his best to show us all the possible animals within the visited parks. We've had nice lunches (with juice and wine) during the 5 days of Safari and the car was always sparkling clean in the morning when our guide was picking us up :) We would've appreciated our guide to be a bit more involved in the conversation (the answers we got to our questions about birds/animals weren't really detailed and we would've enjoyed talking/getting to know our guide a bit more, especially during our common lunches) but of course this didn't ruin our experience.Our safari was followed by a beach holiday in Zanzibar : Ceci has arranged a pick-up at the airport for us. The hotel (Z hotel in Nungwi) was also great and the honeymoon package made our holiday unforgettable.I can only recommend Soul of Tanzania and Tanzania in general. The safari is a magical experience everyone should have in a lifetime.
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phillip
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Viajero solo en la vida silvestre de Tanzania y safaris de experiencia en Zanzíbar Planeamos nuestro viaje a Tanzania junto con Cecie en weguide Safari. Le hemos dicho aproximadamente lo que queríamos hacer (lago Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti y Zanzibar) y ella sugirió el itinerario y el alojamiento que discutimos y adaptamos juntos. El Serengeti fue probablemente el más impresionante de los parques y tal vez si el tiempo hubiera sido un problema, me habría saltado el lago Manyara para ir directamente al Ngorongoro. (Aunque el alojamiento en el lago Manyara fue increíble, Escarpment Luxury Lodge). Todos los alojamientos tenían algo especial y terminar con un par de días de relax en Zanzíbar fue simplemente perfecto.
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Marion
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Great experience at Mara River (Serengeti) So nice to see and read about sam maasai guide. He was my guide when I visited Tanzania. I also had great game driving experiences, and yes, being patient definitely paid off time after time. We experienced elephants crossing the Mara River, and Sam explained how the matriarch makes the decision to cross and how the elephants would not all cross at once, rather cross in small groups of adults, babies, and elders. We stayed and saw group after group cross and come up the bak of the river directly beside our vehicle,. We also saw a group in the river stop and surround each other and then there was trumpeting by the herd on both sides of the river. Sam explained that they must have sensed danger like crockerdiles, and that they would reteat back; that’s exactly what happened and the trumpeting continued on both sides of the river for a while. When we returned to the Mara River Camp that evening, everyone was envious of our experience and commented how much they loved to have heard the elephants communicating. Like you and your son, we had great experiences every day. Love your photos and descriptions. It’s truly the trip of a lifetime
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Whistler
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Mikumi National park and Zanzibar island The Mikumi National Park is located in eastern Tanzania, some 100 kms south of Morogoro and 280 km west of Dar Es Salaam. It is next to the Selous Reserve and a few kilometers from the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The wildlife includes monkeys, lions, leopards, panthers, elephants, giraffes zebras, hipos, etc. Approximately 360 different species of birds have been spotted. The park is very popular and is easily accessible from Dar Es Salaam. It is specially equipped for bird watching. Greenery includes the miombo forest which is dominated by Brachystegia spp. The Combretum-Terminalia forest is common between the hills and the plains along the river.In this lower part dominated by Acacia spp, Adansonia digitata baobab and Sterculia appendiculata and the top of gallery forest and riparian dense scrub along rivers Mgoda, Kikobogo and Mkata. The ebony Dalbergia melanoxylon, Sclerocarya caffra, Cassia abbreviata flabellifer and Hyphaene Borassus Ventricosa, Balanites aegyptiaca and Ficus spp are all very close to each other. They are common and important to elephants and baboona. A truly unforgettable experience. with weguide afrkca safaris
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ASHLEY P
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"Zanzibar family trip excursion" "This was our first trip with WeGuide Africa Safari - I believe it's no coincidence that the Bradt Africa guides are simply the best ones on the market and that WeGuide Africa are extraordinary in the depth of their knowledge of the situation on the ground and in their capacity to coordinate and synchronise everything to make it an excellent trip for a family with young children In Zanzibar excursion .We stayed Luxury property at Zuri hotel in Zanzibar .I saw some of the most amazing sights and things in Africa, which I would not have found without the guidance of WeGuide Africa Safari . And for the unforseeable and unavoidable occasional hick ups, the team is there to help where they can.I hope WeGuide Africa Safari stays a well kept secret
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Wilton Backer
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conquérir le Kilimandjaro" super 7 jours via machame route Bonjour mes amis de TripAdvisor.Je m'appelle Xavier.Je viens de rentrer d'une randonnée INCROYABLE sur le mont Kilimandjaro avec weguide Africa Safaris. J'y suis allé avec Erick le guide et il était IMPRESSIONNANT. Erick m'a tellement aidé à me sentir à l'aise tout au long du voyage et il m'a fait me sentir plus fort simplement en étant en sa présence.Tout d'abord, weguide Africa Safaris m'a aidé à chaque étape du processus de courrier électronique pour planifier le voyage. Ils sont tellement professionnels et organisés et m'ont fait me sentir vraiment très à l'aise et bienvenu pour voyager dans un pays étranger. (je viens de la FR)Je savais que c'était la bonne entreprise pour moi juste par la manière organisée et professionnelle de leurs e-mails. Ils vous guident à chaque étape.Si vous essayez de décider avec quelle compagnie escalader le Kilimandjaro ou avec quelle compagnie partir en safari, C'EST LA SEULE. WEGUIDE AFRICA SAFARIS est vraiment incroyable avec de très bons prix aussi.J'ai escaladé le mont Kilimandjaro avec Erick The Guide et il était un professeur tellement spectaculaire avec qui partager le voyage. Il avait tellement de connaissances sur la montagne et il a un VRAI amour pour la nature et l'exploration. . Erick The Guide et tout l'équipage qui nous a accompagnés étaient géniaux. L'équipage de porteurs que nous avions avec nous était tellement sympathique et accueillant. Ils m'ont vraiment fait me sentir chez moi pendant tout le voyage.Je sais que beaucoup de gens ont peur de voyager à cause de COVID. Mais je ne pense pas que cela devrait vous empêcher de venir en Afrique.Si quoi que ce soit, je pense que c'est le moment le plus courageux et le plus spontané pour parcourir le monde.J'ai passé un très bon moment avec WEGUIDE AFRICA SAFARIS et je pense que c'est le moment idéal pour explorer le monde. Allez saisir cette chance et VOYAGEZ. Cela pourrait juste changer votre vie.Erick The Guide et weuide Africa Safaris - vous étiez tous les meilleurs et je vous remercie de m'avoir donné l'opportunité d'escalader le mont Kilimandjaro.Quiconque lit ces mots - weguide Africa Safaris est super sympa, super professionnel et super organisé et ils ont des prix imbattables. N'ayez pas peur de suivre votre cœur. Le monde est fait pour être exploré.Merci Erick et toute l'équipe de weguide Africa Safaris qui ont facilité mon voyage. Je suis très reconnaissant de vous avoir trouvé.
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XAVIER
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Tanzania wildlife familiy safari with weguide africa safaris great company in Tanzania The trip was definitely a wonderful experience. The guide was very good, and that is one of the most important parts of a trip like this.Ngorongoro and Serengeti are two fantastic places, and we had the rare privilege of visiting with very little tourism, really feeling and breathing the place.With my current experience, I will change the first part of the trip avoiding lake Manyara and the long transfer of the first day, and planning at least two safaris in the crater
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