Chimpanzee tracking vacation, Gombe Stream NP, Tanzania
Typically trips are expertly guided by a leading specialist with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Inevitably, birds, plants and mammals are the main focus of attention however, the aim will be to incorporate all other aspects of the natural world in an attempt to be as broad-minded as possible. A local guide may often accompany trips.
How this vacation makes a difference
Environment
The lodge we use is constructed of local materials with all staff being employed from the surrounding region where employment opportunities are limited. The lodge uses home cooked food, also sourced locally wherever possible. For every one of our group departures we provide clients with an in depth information pack on how to travel responsibly offering advice on traveling in country. This ranges from cultural sensitivities, to environmental awareness with an emphasis on showing respect to your hosts ensuring that each traveler sets a precedent and adheres to a strict code of conduct. When spending time with wildlife – Please keep your voices low. You will then also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest. Keep a safe distance from wildlife. Your guide will be on hand to advise – listen to your guides advice at all times. Do not eat or drink whilst you are near wildlife. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases. Please remember that although much of the wildlife is semi-habituated, they are still wild animals. You should always strictly adhere to the guidelines explained to you by the ranger before you embark on the trek. Providing you do so, you will be minimising any potential threats. It goes without saying, but DO NOT touch any wildlife of any sort. The guides and rangers will give you a full briefing on the rules of conduct before you embark on the trek and it’s very important you adhere to them. It is us who are being given a privileged insight into the natural world and we should treat all wildlife with respect!
To mitigate the carbon dioxide released into the high atmosphere through your air travel, for EVERY international flight we book from the UK, we are giving £
10 per client to Rainforest Concern. Rainforests have a central role to play in the slowing of climate change and yet we are removing forests from the planet at a faster rate than they can grow back. It is thus axiomatic to try and preserve the forests that we have rather than replanting. Rainforest Concern was established in 1993 to protect threatened natural habitats, the biodiversity they contain and the indigenous people who still depend on them for their survival.
Community
The guides we use on this tour are from the surrounding region and money raised from this tour helps support the training and education of the guides themselves. We include a donation of £
300 per trip to the Jane Goodall Institute and the local community project “Roots and Shoots” This is a grass roots programme aimed at education communities who live near to the park on the benefits of habitat conservation and involved them in the decision making process of land usage that borders the park. By visiting Gombe Stream itself, you will also be paying the park entry fees, which go directly to the upkeep of the park itself, but also the training and education of the guides with whom we work closely along with support for the chimpanzee researchers and the vital work they are undertaking.
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