Day 87: Kigoma – Gombe National Park
The alarm starts 6:30 (local time). We want to have a leisurely breakfast before being picked up.
It takes about two hours by boat to the Gombe National Park Center.
We're accompanied by Peter, our guide, and Esther, who will be cooking for us. Also with us are the two boatmen, Sarehe and Sam. Then we meet Richard, who will be hiking with us on behalf of the national park.
We check in, take care of the usual paperwork, and deposit our things in a room; the actual room isn't ready yet. A short introduction from Richard, followed by a short introduction from Peter, who had already told us many interesting things about Kigoma and the chimpanzees on the way. In between – somewhat rudely towards the speakers – we have a few eggs with pastry, which are essential for survival. And off we go. First by boat, then on foot.
Some chimpanzees are wearing trackers. This gives the rangers a rough idea of where each group is. Two rangers set out in the morning, search for their favorite trees and feeding grounds, and then accompany the animals throughout the day. Considering the speed at which the chimpanzees move and the difficulty of the terrain, this is a real challenge.
Richard is in radio contact with the rangers and leads us through the forest. Today will be a tough hike, with an ascent of around 300 meters in a short time. Brigitte, unfit as she is, is reaching her limits. But: We make it in time to reach the group of chimpanzees raiding trees and bushes. So peaceful and so beautiful to watch them. Wonderful.
Aside from us, there is another group of students there, but the chimpanzees are not disturbed in any way. They are used to humans. You shouldn't get closer than ten meters to the animals, and you must wear a mask. Those are the rules.
After a while, the monkeys head off into the next valley, and in the dense bushes, only the two rangers follow them.
It's time for us to head back. We sometimes slip and get a little tired, but we're happy about the encounter with the Chimps.
At camp, we have a (late) absolutely delicious lunch! Then a swim in the lake and a (cold) shower.
And we have the pleasure of watching two chimpanzees right in the camp, munching their way through the trees. Incidentally, there's also a whole horde of olive baboons frolicking peacefully around the grounds.
As night falls, we have a small campfire and another delicious meal (chips mawai, a kind of omelet with vegetables) and fruit for dessert. What a great day and what a lovely evening in company of "our crew."
Since the mosquito net in our room is a joke (one side of the canopy is completely open), we move late into another room. We're used to being close to each other by now and sleep in a single bed. The net isn't completely airtight, but it's generously sized so you can tie any holes together. And the room is cooler because it's on the ground floor. So, everything's fine.