Gombe is the smallest national park in Tanzania, situated western part of the country in the district of Kigoma on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. The park covers an area of about only 16km and comprises forest-fringed hills and also the soft sand shores of the lake. Its unique spectrum of flora and fauna has made it to be one of the most visited safari destinations in Tanzania. The terrain is simply impressive thanks to steep slopes as well as river valley which shapes cliffs of the far east tip of the great rift valley. You will find some deep tropical forest on the slopes together with alpine bamboo as well as grasslands.

The park is also famous for being home to the Kasakela Camp, which is a chimpanzee sanctuary. This camp is in fact famous through the operations of Jane Goodall exactly who during 1960 started research into the conduct by the chimpanzees in this park. The female Chimp known as Fifi is actually the only surviving member of the first family of the research.

Primates are the most common tourist attractions in the park and visitors to Gombe Stream will get a chance to see a variety of primates species which include olive baboons, the rare red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and lastly the chimpanzees. Other games found in the park are the bush pigs, leopards, snakes, and even rare hippos seen about the lake shores.

Bird lovers find Gombe Stream National Park an amazing destination due to the fact that the park is blessed with over 200 different species of birds just like the fish eagle and Peter’s twin spots which come to welcome all the visitors to the park. You’ll as well find a few unique butterfly species to brighten the park.

Getting there

The park is accessed from Dar es Salaam as well as Arusha through scheduled flights to Kigoma Airport from where you can use the road to access the park which is just a 30-minute drive. There is also a slow rail service towards Mwanza and Dar es Sallam. From Mbeya by rough dirt roads.

Through Kigoma, regional taxis are three hours to arrive at Gombe, or motorboats could be rented, sailing for likely 1 hour.

Another easy and convenient way to access the Gombe Stream National Park is by hiring a safari vehicle from the many car rental agencies in the country. Visiting Gombe Stream National Park on self-drive is the best option to enjoy all the attractions in the park.

Things to do

Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania is a renowned destination primarily known for its population of wild chimpanzees studied by Jane Goodall. The park offers a unique opportunity to observe these amazing primates in their natural habitat, but there are several other activities and attractions you can enjoy while visiting the park. Here are some things to do in Gombe Stream National Park:

Chimpanzee tracking
The main tourist attraction of Gombe Stream National Park is the chimpanzee trekking. Join guided treks led by experienced guides to track and observe chimpanzee families in their natural environment. It’s a chance to witness their behaviors, interactions, and social structures up close. Nevertheless, the park is nothing like the zoo, more care and attention ought to be adopted whenever making day trips within the park. The tracking experience normally takes two days.

Birdwatching
The park is home to over 200 different species of birds making bird watching among the best tourist attractions in the park. Bird lovers can spot species like the African fish eagle, palm-nut vulture, African grey parrot, and many others. Lake Tanganyika also offers opportunities to see aquatic birds.

Hiking and Nature Walks

Gombe offers various hiking trails that take you through lush forests, along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and to scenic viewpoints. These hikes allow you to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the park while enjoying beautiful landscapes.

Boat Cruise
Lake Tanganyika is one of the world’s deepest and longest freshwater lakes. Take a boat trip to enjoy the stunning views, cool breezes, and possibly catch sight of hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species.

Swimming along with diving in the underwater paradise by the great lake is worth the time. It is the greatest way to end a tough and tedious day trip in the multi-colored cichlid fish corals.

Fishing on the lake is quite common. In the evening, countless lantern-lit boats set off for another catch. My favorite species of fish are the tiger fish and also tilapia.

When to go

The chimps are actually readily seen during the rainy season of February up to June and later from November towards mid-December. Superior picture options from the dry season through July until October as well as late December.

Accommodation

1 latest luxurious tented lodge, and a self-catering hostel as well as a guest house. There are camping locations around the lakeshore.