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Exclusive chimpanzee safari and evening with Dr Jane Goodall, in Gombe, Tanzania


19 March 2013 Science News

The Jane Goodall Institute UK (JGI) is offering an exciting opportunity to join an exclusive chimpanzee tour in the wilds of Gombe Stream National Park,Tanzania, from 24th-29thJuly 2013. The prize includes a private group meeting in Gombe with Dr Jane Goodall DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace. All money raised from this auction will be going to support the JGI’s conservation and education work in Tanzania.

http://www.tinyurl.com/JGIsafari - Bidding ends 24th March

Gombe, the smallest of Tanzania's national parks, is a fragile strip of chimpanzee habitat straddling the steep slopes and river valleys that hem in the sandy northern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Its wild chimpanzees were made famous by the pioneering work of Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most famous conservationists and scientists. Having begun in 1960, this research now stands as the longest-running study of its kind in the world. The Gombe chimpanzees are habituated to human visitors, and other wildlife that can be seen in the park includes a troop of beachcomber olive baboons, canopy-dwelling red-tailed and red colobus monkeys, and the iconic fish eagle. After dusk, a dazzling night sky is complemented by the lanterns of hundreds of small wooden fishing boats, bobbing on the lake. By day, the lake is also a welcome spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Based in a comfortable eco-lodge on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, you will meet Gombe researchers to gain a privileged insight into the world of our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, and you will track these amazing apes that so inspired Dr Jane. Tracking can be strenuous, given the habitat, and a good level of fitness is required, but the effort is well worth it!

There will also be an opportunity to meet with the Jane Goodall Institute’s TACARE programme staff to get the inside track on the work being done involving local communities to promote conservation and help the local population (TACARE stands for Lake Tanganyika Catchment, Reforestation and Education). On your final night in Gombe, the group will meet with Dr Jane for drinks, dinner and fascinating discussions, to gain unparalleled insight into chimpanzee conservation.

This auction prize of one place on this tour has been kindly donated by the operator, Steppes Discovery. All money raised from this auction will go directly to the Jane Goodall Institute’s work in Western Tanzania, which includes reducing human population pressures and protecting chimpanzees and their forest habitat. In 1994, the JGI’s community-centred conservation approach was developed through the implementation of the TACARE programme in the area in and aroundGombe Stream National Park. Since then, the TACARE model has been expanded from Gombe to larger and more pristine chimpanzee habitat to the south. The winner of this auction will be helping the JGI to make a positive difference for people and chimpanzees living in this region - thank you!

Detailed Tour Itinerary (from www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk)

Please note: local Tanzanian flights for the Gombe tour are included in the prize, but the winner is required to make his/her own international travel arrangements.

Wednesday 24th July 2013
Arrive Arusha, Tanzania
On arrival in Arusha, after luggage collection, the group will be driven to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Located on the outskirts of Arusha, hidden amongst one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, Arusha Coffee Lodge is the perfect haven for relaxation before your safari.
Overnight: Arusha Coffee Lodge on a bed & breakfast basis.
 
Thursday 25th July 2013
Fly Arusha/Kigoma
This morning the group will be met and transferred to the airstrip for your shared morning charter flight to Kigoma, an adventure in itself as you fly over the stunning landscapes of the country. On arrival in Kigoma, you will be met and transferred to Kigoma Hilltop Hotel for the night. The hotel is the main stopping off point for trips into the famous GombeNational Park, but still allows for a relaxing day after the rigours of travelling to this remote area.
 
This afternoon, Dr Anthony Collins, Director of Research at Gombe Stream (or another suitably qualified member of the JGI team in Gombe/Kigoma) will make an introductory presentation to the group either at the Hilltop Hotel or at the nearby JGI Education Centre. This presentation will put the research and study of the chimpanzees that the group are about to visit at Gombe into the wider context of JGI's habitat protection, community development and conservation education work.
Overnight: Kigoma Hill Top Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis
 
Friday 26th July 2013
Gombe Stream National Park
Following yesterday’s presentation, this morning you will be given the opportunity to see some of JGI’s wider community work in action by visiting their projects in the vicinity escorted by JGI staff. This afternoon the group will travel by boat to Gombe Stream National Park – a journey of approx 2 hours. Gombe is Tanzania’s smallest park, extending over a mere 39 kilometres of hilly terrain climbing from the lakeside, but harbours one of the country’s most famous residents – the chimpanzee. Made famous by the ground-breaking study of these fascinating animals by primatologist Jane Goodall, the park is now home to the longest running study of an individual animal species in the world. The park’s population is roughly 100 chimpanzees, living in three communities, one of which is habituated and for those prepared to face the challenging terrain, offers one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters in Africa.
 
The group will be staying at the comfortable Gombe Forest Lodge, situated near the Mitumba stream at the northern end of Gombe Stream National Park, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The camp’s spacious tents, set on wooden platforms overlooking the lake itself, are shaded by huge mango trees along the lakeshore, each with en-suite facilities and stunning views. There will of course, be opportunities to follow in the footsteps of Dr Jane herself and explore the forest, looking for chimpanzees. Tracking can be strenuous, given the habitat and a good level of fitness is required, however the effort is well worth it! Whilst tracking the chimpanzees, the group will be split into two groups of five, one of which will be accompanied by chimpanzee researchers, switching around each day so everyone can benefit from this expertise.
 
Whilst the chimpanzees are obviously a highlight of the area, there are also a number of other fascinating primates found here, including the habituated olive baboons who forage in front of the camp along with vervet, blue, red-tailed and red colobus monkeys all usually seen whilst tracking chimps. The lakeshore is also a great place to look for some of the park’s 200 resident bird species and the lake itself is excellent for swimming (and snorkeling) with numerous fish unique to these waters. In the evening the group can watch the sunset over the distant Congolese mountains and as night falls, enjoy a cold beer as the lanterns appear across the lake from the fisherman’s boats.
Overnight: Gombe Forest Lodge on a full board basis
 
Saturday 27th July 2013
Gombe Stream National Park
Chimpanzee activities
Overnight: Gombe Forest Lodge on a full board basis
 
Sunday 28th July 2013
Gombe Stream National Park
You will have your last full day exploring Gombe with our local researchers.
In the evening we will be joined by Dr Jane Goodall DBE for drinks around the fire, where you will have the opportunity to interact and learn first-hand of her many years tracking and researching chimpanzees. This promises to be a memorable end to a wonderful few days in the Park.
Overnight: Gombe Forest Lodge on a full board basis
 
Monday 29th July 2013
Gombe to Kigoma, Fly Kigoma/Arusha
Breakfast in the morning at the Lodge before transferring by Dhow boat to Kigoma.
We will then be collected and transferred to the Kigoma Airport to depart on our shared Charter Flight from Kigoma to Arusha.
 
Alternatively, there is an opportunity to purchase an extension to the Gombe tour, which is not included in the auction prize but can be added-on separately through Steppes Discovery if desired. This optional extension includes a 3-night tour to the Serengeti, where the annual wildebeest migration should be in full flow. Further details are available on the Steppes Discovery website.
 
The auction prize includes:
All domestic flights  All transfers  Expertise of JGI researchers in Gombe and meeting with Dr Jane Goodall DBE  All accommodation on a full board basis unless otherwise shown  Group transport  Chimpanzee tracking  All park fees required  Donation of all money raised from auction to the Jane Goodall Institute UK, to support the JGI’s Tanzanian programmes.
 
The auction prize excludes:
International flights  Insurance  Visas  Vaccinations  Items of a personal nature  Gratuities  Alcohol  Drinks and meals other than those shown
 
Single Supplement: If the winning bidder is travelling alone (i.e. is not travelling with someone who has booked an additional place on the tour), and you wish to have a single room, then a single supplement will apply. This supplement is payable to Steppes Discovery and costs £275, with an additional £180 single supplement required should you choose to take the Serengeti extension. If you are happy to share accommodation with a fellow traveller of the same sex then you will not be charged a single supplement for your holiday, so long as there is another same sex traveller on the trip who is also wanting to share.
 
Amendments & Changes: Steppes Discovery takes meticulous care in preparing their tour itineraries, but they retain the right to modify or cancel any tour, flight schedule, accommodation or arrangement, as per their Terms and Conditions. Most changes are minor, however if they constitute a more significant change they will of course inform the winning bidder as soon as possible.
 
Age restrictions: Travellers on this tour must be aged 16 years or over. Please note: those aged 16-17 years must be accompanied by an adult who is over 18 years old.
 
Booking Terms and Conditions:
To avoid disappointment, please ensure you are able to meet the relevant Booking Terms and Conditions of Steppes Discovery, before placing your bid for this tour (http://www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk/information/booking+form+and+conditions/).
 
 
How the winning bidder will claim their place on the tour:
In addition to receiving notification of winning through eBay, the winner of this auction prize will receive a letter from the Jane Goodall Institute UK, confirming that they have won. The letter will include the details you will need to contact Steppes Discovery and arrange your booking directly with them. Steppes Discovery will also be informed by the JGI of the name and address of the winning bidder.
 
If you are purchasing the tour as a gift for someone else, please email the name and address of the person who will be travelling, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., so that we can pass on the correct details to Steppes Discovery.
 
 
If you have any questions about the tour before bidding, please contact Steppes Discovery (see website for details, www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk/).
 
For further information about the conservation, education and humanitarian work of the Jane Goodall Institute in the UK and worldwide, please visit www.janegoodall.org. All of the money raised from this auction will go to the Jane Goodall Institute’s programmes in Tanzania.
 
Thank you for supporting the Jane Goodall Institute UK

 

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