Western Tanzania trip report

As there is not much recent info on Western Tanzania, I thought to share our experience 2 weeks ago. We visited Katavi and Gombe using public transport.
We took a bus from Arusha (better to book 2-3 days ahead) to Tabora via Nzega. The buses to Mwanza all pass Nzega (about 8-9 hours) and then you can change to Tabora (another 2 hours). After Nzega, it is a dirt road. NBS have a direct bus from Arusha to Tabora, but it was full when we wanted to buy tickets for the day after. The bus got to Tabora around 7, we took a taxi to the train station. The train leaves at 9PM on Monday for sure, I do not know the other days, I think the new LP is correct though. The ticket office was closed, but the chief of station arrives at 8:30 and we got the last 2 places on 2nd class with paying a bit extra to the conductor. There is 1 2nd class coach, the rest 3rd class. There was no 2nd class a few month ago, it can change anytime. We arrived in Mpanda at 7AM, the train was okay. It is easy to get to Sitalike, takes about 40-50 minutes. There is no restaurant in Mpanda, there is a hotel that serves food if you tell them in advance. Same for Sitalike. Bus to Tabora is around 38000 TSH, the train 2nd class 16000, with the "extra" it was 23000 TSH. Bus from Mpanda to Kigoma 20000 TSSH
We stayed at Riverside camp, which is very nice, 20 dollars/person/night + 5/8/8 dollars for breakfast/lunch/dinner. They also have a 4wd for Katavi day tour. The park no longer rents vehicles but forwards you to the guy. it's 200 USD + 10 for the guy who is the driver/guide.
From Sitalike, we went back to Tabora, then took a 6AM bus next morning to Kigoma. It is a very beautiful road, but in very bad state. It took us 13 hours to get to Kigoma, partly because there was something wrong with the bus and they were repairing for an hour. You can arrange a boat in Kigoma at Kibirizi port, around 170-190 dollars, it takes 2-3 hours. The public boat has no shade and takes a while, though a lot cheaper. Leaves around noon-2PM, costs around 7000 Tsh comes back in the morning. Gombe park fee is 100 USD/24 hours, but it only counts when you are in the forest with a guide. The guesthouse is nice, 20 use/person, but food is expensive 10/15/15 USD. The beach is nice and have no bilharzia.
Right now Precision air flyes to Mwanza to Dar every day with connection to Zanzibar on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fly 540 is supposed to have a new flight from august to Tabora/Dar. Costs around 240 USD to Zanzibar, but I think it's worth it.

that's about the practical issues of how to get there. hope it is useful to someone. we used the LP that came out am month ago, at it was as accurate as possible where things change fast.