Gombe Stream National Park Tanzania | Home of Chimpanzees & Guide
Our Complete Guide to Gombe Stream National Park Tanzania is all you need to know about this beautiful park. here we give you the latest information on the attractions, activities, best time, location and accommodation facilities around the park.
We also go ahead to show you how to best plan your safari as well as offer you sample packages with a free quote to help you plan your Classic Safari – Chimpanzee tracking, and other primate species to Gombe National Park. Gombe National Park, also known as Gombe Stream National Park, is located in the western Kigoma Region, Tanzania, 10 miles (20 km) north of Kigoma, the capital of the Kigoma Region. Established in 1968, Gombe National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania, with only 13.5 square miles (35 km2) of protected land along the hills of the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. The terrain is distinguished by steep valleys, and the forest vegetation ranges from grassland to woodland to tropical rainforest. Accessible only by boat, the park is most famous as the location where Jane Goodall pioneered her behavioral research conducted on chimpanzee populations. The Kasekela chimpanzee community, featured in several books and documentaries, lives in Gombe National Park.
Gombe’s high levels of diversity make it an increasingly popular tourist destination. Besides chimpanzees, primates inhabiting Gombe include beachcomber olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys have also been known to hybridize in the area. The park is also home to over 200 bird species and bushpigs. There are also many species of snakes, and occasional hippopotami and leopards. Visitors to the park can trek into the forest to view the chimpanzees, as well as swim and snorkel in Lake Tanganyika with almost 100 kinds of colorful cichlid fish.
Gombe Stream National Park Tanzania
Gombe Stream is set on immaculate white sand beaches overlooking Lake Tanganyika, a wild region of lush woodland and sweeping lake views. It is one of just two locations in Tanzania where you may trek to view wild chimpanzees. With Katavi and the Mahale Mountains it is a great choice for travellers wishing a secluded safari experience.
Gombe Stream, on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, is Tanzania’s smallest national park, with barely more than 14 sq. mi.
It is one of the three spots in Tanzania where you can view chimpanzees.
The park is characterised by a varied landscape of large meadows, dense woodland sections and tropical rain forest separated by steep slopes, rivers and streams of water.
This is famous as the site of Jane Goodall’s most extensive pioneering research on chimpanzees.
The resident primatologist spent years in Gombe observing the behaviour of Chimpanzees an endangered species.
Many of the chimpanzee teams here are habituated (adapted to humans) thanks to Jane Goodall, which means you may travel to see them up-close in their native forest habitat.
Gombe has numerous unique primates including chimpanzees. There are olive baboons, red colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and vervet monkeys.
You can see birds, butterflies and a vast array of uncommon forest plants on forest walks and chimpanzee expeditions. Apart from the occasional leopard, there are no major predators in Gombe Stream.
Where does Gombe Stream National Park Fit Into Your Tanzanian Adventure?
Gombe Stream is part of Tanzania’s remote western safari circuit which also includes Lake Tanganyika, Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.
It is a seldom-visited circuit, so remote that the only way to get there is via plane or boat.
But visitors are rewarded with pristine wilderness, good densities of wildlife and an off-the-beaten-track safari experience away from some of Tanzania’s bigger parks.
The Western Safari Circuit
Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest freshwater lake and borders on four countries.
From the sandy beaches of the lake, gazing across the glassy blue seas into the horizon, the vastness of this body of water resembles an ocean more than a freshwater lake.
After travelling through the jungle, Gombe Stream offers just one hotel option, so a beach holiday on Lake Tanganyika is perfect.
Katavi National Park is a 4,000+ sq km block of pure wilderness. It is famous for its significant concentrations of large species such as hippo, elephant and lion.
Mahale Mountains National Park is a primate paradise on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The park is home to little under 1,000 chimpanzees, the uncommon Red and Angola colobus monkeys and the red and blue-tailed monkeys. They are the main attractions as you walk through the forest.
Things to Do in Gombe Stream National Park
1. Chimpanzee Trekking
Walk with a ranger in the forest and maybe spot our closest relative, and up to 82 other wildlife species that make the parks home.
The park is home to around 150 chimpanzees.
You are never sure you will see a chimp. But if you have experienced guides you have high chances. When you identify the troop you will be given up to an hour to observe them.
Tracking chimpanzees requires a permit and, at the time of writing, a chimpanzee permit for Gombe National park is the more affordable choice at $100.
2. Sundowners on Lake Tanganyika
One of the most popular ways to spend an evening is to hop into a dhow (traditional boat) and join the masses of light carrying dug-out canoes headed out to fish for the evening
Onboard you may drink romantic sundowners and watch the sunset across the lake on a 1.5 hour trip.
3. Snorkelling and Diving
Lake Tanganyika is an excellent place for diving and snorkelling.
The water is a constant 25 degrees Celsius year round and visibility in the dry season is deep, up to 20 m.
The lake is full of brightly coloured cichlids. This lake has 98% of the 250 recognised species of cichlids.
Most of the diving takes place near to the coastlines, which makes it perfect for beginners and intermediate divers.
You’ll have a local guide. There are crocodiles, hippos and bilharzia in various regions of the lake so it is crucial to travel with a local specialist.
Depending on where you’re staying, you might find various water-sports activities accessible such as kayaking, wakeboarding and water-skiing.
Where To Stay
1. Mbale Mbale Gombe Camp
Gombe’s only tented camp is shaded by a canopy of ancient mango trees. Mbali Mbali Gombe Camp is a small, premium safari camp with a maximum of fourteen people.
Seven tents with thatched roofs provide shelter for your private deck, a perfect retreat from the heat of the afternoon.
Each tent is strategically placed for privacy with a section of woodland between each tent.
The four-poster beds have mosquito nets so you’ll sleep well, and each tent has a flush toilet and hot showers.
On the sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika, there is a big community area with library, bar, dining room and jetty going onto the lake.
All bungalows are en-suite and open right out onto the beach with uninterrupted views of the brilliant blue ocean.
If you want to pay a bit less, lawn bandas are a great choice. They have the same private views of the mountains and lakes. However, they do share toilet facilities.
Soak in the jacuzzi, start the day with an early morning yoga session or spend an afternoon at the spa.
2. Lupita Island
Lupita Island is an undisturbed private island on 110 acres of deserted land among a tiny group of islands on Lake Tanganyika.
The lodge sits on top of a hill with panoramic views of the lake and neighbouring mountains.
Guests can enjoy excellent and private lodging in the form of 10 magnificent cottages.
Facilities & amenities The resort offers a good selection of amenities including great dining, a spa, a swimming pool, a games area, a bar & lounge and a gym.
Worst/Best Time to Visit Gombe Stream National Park
The best time to visit Gombe Stream National Park is during the dry season between June and September. At this time of year the forest is easier for trekking and the chances of spotting the chimps are better.
Gombe has one long wet season from November to April and we suggest you to avoid this time as nature walks are less pleasurable in the mud and rain and likely to be cancelled.
Getting There
The best way to go from Dar es Salaam to Gombe Stream National park is by taking a domestic flight to Kigoma. These are on a daily basis and last around 2 hours.
From Arusha, there are shared charter flights available just twice a week.
Driving is not recommended because of the huge distances and rugged terrain.
There are also trains and buses but this can take up to 2 days if travelling from Dar es Salaam and is not suggested for persons who enjoy the luxury and pleasure of travelling in business class.
When you reach Kigoma, the only method to reach Gombe Stream National Park is by lake taxis or private boats.
The Lake Taxi from Kibrizi beach, just to the north of Kigoma takes around 4 hours.
This costs around 10,000tsh ($5), so don’t be afraid to haggle within reason.
The best way to go is by way of private charters and you won’t be tied to the schedule of lake taxis/ferry, but they can charge $200 plus.
For something a little different, The MV Liemba, a 100-year-old “indestructible warship,” makes a five-day trip every other Wednesday as a passenger ferry between Tanzania and Zambia, calling at Gombe.