Fly to Kigoma, Tanzania

• Time zone: UTC / GMT +3
• Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh, often written as =/)
• Driving: left-hand side of the road
• Power Outlets: 220V-240V 50Hz. Plug types are ‘Type D & G (British)’
• Closest airports: Kigoma Airport (TKQ)

Kigoma is a tropical destination. It is always warm, and in the evening it cools off to pleasant temperatures. The wettest month is usually March, the warmest August.

If you come to Kigoma to go trekking with the chimpanzees in either Gombe or Mahale NP, the least rain and potentially easier walks are in the dry season from June to October. But, it is definitely possible to see the chimpanzees year-round, don’t forget it is a tropical rainforest and rain is possible every day.

Kigoma is a relaxed small town and port on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in the west of Tanzania. Lake Tanganyika is the longest lake in the world and the second deepest, and it contains around 18% of all fresh water on earth. But it also contains a huge variety of fish, with at least 250 species of cichlids. Cichlids are better known as the colourful aquarium fish and snorkelling in Lake Tanganyika is like snorkelling in a huge fish tank.

Kigoma is the best starting point for a close encounter with the chimpanzees. Gombe NP, made famous by Dr Jane Goodall,  is easily accessible from Kigoma and can even be done on a long day trip. There are approximately 90 chimpanzees in Gombe NP living in three communities.

Mahele NP is further from Kigoma and harder to reach, but well worth the extra effort. There are around 700 chimpanzees living in Mahale NP.

It is best to spend 2-3 days tracking the chimpanzees to allow yourself the best chance of seeing them. Unlike their cousins the gorillas, a daily time of one hour with the chimpanzees is included in your daily entry fee into the park. If you are lucky you may observe them using leaves and twigs as tools.

If you have a spare couple of hours, drop into Ujiji and visit the Livingstone Memorial, the location where Henry Stanley asked the famous question “Dr Livingstone, I presume?”.

From Kigoma it is possible to hop on the MV Liemba, the oldest ferry in operation in the world. It sails all the way to Mpulungu in Zambia, but it is also possible to get off at Buhingu (also known as Lugosa or Magambo) which is located only 15km north of the Mahale NP boundary.

There are a few restaurants in town serving good food, including local fare like wali maharagwe (rice with beans) or ugali (maize meal which looks a little like mashed potato) with chicken or fish. The view over the lake from the Kigoma Hilltop hotel restaurant is superb and they serve Indian and Western style, but no alcohol.

In Kigoma you can find Christians and Muslims, as well as people of other faiths.

Whilst not extreme, it is good to be aware of cultural do’s and don’ts:

• Shoes should be removed when entering a home or place of worship
• Dress modestly in public
• Topless sunbathing and homosexuality is illegal

In some public places, the consumption of alcohol is not allowed.

When photographing people, always ask permission first and agree on payment if required. As a general rule, ask.

Kigoma is a small destination with accommodation, transport, food and excursions for all budgets. Many hotels and guest houses are set in beautiful gardens and offer a view of the lake.

This is what you can expect to pay in Tanzania for:

• Domestic beer (0.5-litre bottle) in a supermarket – 2,554TSh
• Imported beer in a supermarket (0.33-litre bottle) – 3,833TSh
• Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) – 3,340Tsh
• A bottle of coca cola / pepsi (0.33-litre bottle) – 1376TSh
• A small bottle of water (0.33-litre bottle) – 950TSh