Why You Should Visit the Tanzania Western Circuit?

Why You Should Visit the Tanzania Western Circuit?

When you think of a Tanzania safari, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, or Mount Kilimanjaro pops up in your mind. These famous destinations lie in the North (or Northern Circuit), a region that accounts for more than 60% of Tanzania’s park visitors. However, as many people rush to this famous region of Tanzania, other safari circuits remain quiet. The Western Circuit is no exception.

The Western Circuit mainly consists of three thriving parks: Katavi, Gombe, and Mahale. While they have something unique to offer, they’re undervalued. And that’s why we are featuring them. In this article, we’ve rounded up five reasons why you should visit the Western Circuit.

Remote, crowd-free place.

Very few people visit the western part of Tanzania. Most of them are returning visitors. First-timers and thrill-seekers often end up visiting the northern circuit. And the result? Parks in the North record the highest count of visitors in Tanzania, which also causes prices to go higher. As a result, you pay more compared to an equivalent service in the West.

So, to avoid the crowd, people usually go to the Western Circuit. Yes, there’s no migration in the West, but you’ll watch large herds of buffalo and hippos in Katavi National Park, the only place in the western circuit. Elephants, giraffes, and wildebeest constitute a large population of wildlife. Moreover, you may see lions, hartebeest, elands, impalas, and dik-diks.

Bucket-list activities.

In the North, game drives are the center of wildlife exploration, but in the West, you can do other safari activities in addition to game drives. A clear example of this is Katavi National Park. Here, you can book a boat safari and float along the ever-flowing Katuma River or in the seasonal swamps (when there’s plenty of water).

Sometimes, a fly camp is the best thing you can do. Here, you spend a night under the African stars in a secluded location, usually near a river. This simple, mosquito-netted tent is set by your lodge or camp. And you’ll feel, hear, see, and even dream about the surrounding nature.

Some guests choose to spend their early night hours doing game drives. These peaceful night safaris often expose the wildlife richness of Katavi, especially the highest concentration of nocturnal animals—civets, bat-eared foxes, lions, porcupines, and owls. Gombe and Mahale also offer chimpanzee safaris, which aren’t available in the North.

The chimpanzees.

There’s no other place that hosts chimpanzees other than the western circuit. These endangered primates live in the tropical forests on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. They also live on Rubondo Island, northwest of Tanzania, where they were introduced to living in the dense forests of this island.

Chimp trekking is only done in Gombe and Mahale. With this adventure, guests, led by expert field guides, walk in the forest following clues like dung and footprints searching for their territory. After you find them, spend the next hour watching them do their daily routines. See playful young dance with the giant silverbacks… amazing.

Gombe is popular for the chimpanzees: families of these primates live in the dense forests of Gombe. And they’re well studied by the British primatologist Jane Goodall, who spent decades exploring their behavior. Another popular spot is Mahale, which harbors about 1,000 eastern chimpanzees. They also exist alongside lions, leopards, and antelopes. As of now, Rubondo has around 60 chimps and is still thriving.

Affordable and offers intrinsic value.

Parks in the North have their names sold the first time you hear their name. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater… and maybe Kilimanjaro. And for a reason, most people going there prepare a substantial amount of money to spend. And still, you may struggle to see animals. Lodges, even those with just average facilities and services, may charge extremely high prices.

In the West, everything is valued at its right price. No higher prices, no matter what season you’re traveling in. Guests enjoy a few, but more affordable, options. And to our surprise, most of them are extremely affordable. Yes, luxury properties do exist in these parks, but their price tags are friendly compared to the same properties in the North.

However, one thing is often debated by many safari-goers: accessibility. It’s true, these parks are conveniently accessible by flights. That may add something to the overall cost of your trip. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to hire a safari vehicle to explore Gombe and Mahale; walking is enough. That reduces cost. And for the case of Katavi, there’s an intrinsic value in every drive, as you won’t be bumping other vehicles or competing for a scene.

Lake Tanganyika.

Lake Tanganyika is another gem you should plan to explore. The lake is the longest freshwater lake in the world and the second deepest. Beyond these titles, Tanganyika hosts a variety of aquatic species, from cichlid species to massive hippos. So, it’s one of the reasons you should visit the western part of Tanzania.

To access it, you’ll have to fly to Kigoma Airport. (Driving is possible only if you have plenty of time: 24 hours from Dar es Salaam). Most guests choose to combine this lake with either Gombe or Mahale (or both). Some activities to do on this lake include swimming, dhow cruises, fishing trips, snorkeling, and diving.

Tanzania is still raw and pure. If you have seen popular places in the North, now it’s time to explore hidden gems in the West. At Focus East Africa Tour, we explore these options to give you a comprehensive guide and, hence, a seamless exploration of little-known places. Trust us for your next adventure in Tanzania.