Following are the top tips to travel in Tanzania via road:
Book a local bus: Bus companies available for that route are- Mghamba, Air Jordan and Mohamed Enterprises. These buses leave Arusha at 6 am and arrive in Kahama around 4 pm.If you want to travel later, opt to take a taxi or a bodaboda to a hotel. Buses operating from Kahama to Kigoma are- Ally's, Summry, Adventure and Saratoga.
The cheapest option of heading to Mahale is by Mv. Liemba, which departs on Wednesday and returns on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Be sure to check with the locals about where and how to find Mv. Liemba.
If you fail to connect with the Liemba you can go to the information office at Kigoma and talk with the park officials, they will book a speed boat that can catch you at the half-point of the drive to Mahale, at Sigunga.
Book a transfer overland Via Simbo which is 21 kms away from Kigoma where you get a junction to the south, go through Burambola, Ilagala, Sunuka and lastly arrived at Sigunga. It is advisable to make this arrangement in advance.
The accommodations called the bandas are the rest houses owned by Tanapa who charge 30 USD per person per nigh. The Bandas have blankets, mosquito nets and bed sheets. They have showers too. You can buy your own food in Kigoma and bring it with you. They provide gas and cooking utensils. So you can either cook by yourself or hire some help.