OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Hoopoe Safaris operate in Northern Tanzania, offering a combination of mobile safaris on set departures or on a private basis. The standard of their vehicles, safari camp equipment, cuisine and driver guides are excellent, and leading naturalist Peter Lindstrom trains all local guides. New this year are private safaris to the remoter parks including Selous. Ruaha, Mikumi, Katavi, Gombe and Mahale. They also operate donkey and hiking safaris together with Kilimanjaro climbs.

Mahale Mountains Camp is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika and is truly remote, 120 miles from the nearest road and accessible only by light aircraft and boat. The tropical rainforest that covers the mountain slopes are home to the largest group of free-living chimpanzees in Tanzania - over 100 strong. These chimps have been habituated to human contact over a 25-year period, the result of work by Japanese and American researchers. Accommodation for 10 guests is in canvas and mahogany Ottoman style tents on a deep, sandy beach overlooking the lake. The camp is managed by renowned naturalist Roland Purcell, and has a large mess tent and museum. The camp provides dugout canoes and a fishing boat with tackle. Snorkelling is excellent and the water is safe and clear. Worth a 4 night visit but costly to get to.

Nomad Mobile Safaris operate in all of Tanzania's National Parks and Reserves for parties of 2 - 12 guests on a private tailor-made basis or as part of group on a set departure mobile safari led by an expert local or specialist guide. Safaris are fully equipped and camps vary in comfort according to the type of safari required, some being as basic as a bed roll under a mozi net, and more luxurious safaris staying at permanent camps accompanied by a specialist guide. Anything is possible! Costs generally work on a sliding scale - the less people on safari being the more expensive. Owned by naturalist and chief guide Mark Houldsworth.

Wild Frontiers operate budget scheduled mobile safaris in Southern Tanzania, covering the Selous, Ruaha, Mahale and Gombe Stream. These safaris cover the huge distances by road, camping in remote sites. A real expedition and adventure, but somewhat basic!

Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru climbing trips can be arranged from 4 - 8 nights with porters and guides and vary in difficulty, staying at mountain huts or pitched sites. Please ask our consultants for more details.