Gombe StreamNational Park
Gombe Stream National Park, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, is where Jane Goodall began her landmark study of wild chimpanzees in 1960 — the longest-running study of any wild anim…
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Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, is where Jane Goodall began her landmark study of wild chimpanzees in 1960 — the longest-running study of any wild animal population. Tanzania's smallest national park, Gombe is a strip of steep, forested valleys reachable only by boat, and trekking to see its habituated chimpanzee communities is one of Africa's most moving wildlife encounters.
Gombe was declared a national park in 1968. Its forested ridges run down to clear-water beaches on Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest and oldest lakes in the world.
Chimpanzee trekking is the reason to come. Accompanied by park rangers, visitors follow forest trails to find one of the habituated communities descended from the chimpanzees Jane Goodall first studied. Olive baboons, red colobus and red-tailed monkeys are common, and the forest and lakeshore are rich in birdlife.
After trekking, you can swim or snorkel in the lake among colourful cichlid fish, or visit Jane Goodall's former feeding station and the viewpoint where she watched the chimps.
Year-round; the dry months of July to October make trails easier, while chimps often stay closer to the lake in the wet season
Warm and humid, with a long wet season from roughly November to April
TZ, Western Tanzania
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Before You Go
Gombe is reached from Kigoma town, which has scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha. From Kigoma, a motorboat takes you north along the lake shore to the park. Plan at least two nights so you have more than one chance to find the chimpanzees.
Trails are steep, so a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes are needed. Park rules on minimum age, group size and viewing distance protect the chimps from human illnesses; we will brief you before you go.
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Gombe Stream National Park: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gombe Stream National Park and how do visitors reach it?
Gombe Stream National Park sits on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania and is a strip of steep, forested valleys reachable only by boat. Ecological Wilderness Adventure can arrange boat access as part of a tailored trip.
Why is Gombe Stream National Park famous?
Jane Goodall began her landmark study of wild chimpanzees there in 1960, the longest-running study of any wild animal population. Gombe was declared a national park in 1968 and is Tanzania's smallest national park.
What wildlife can I see in Gombe besides chimpanzees?
Olive baboons, red colobus and red-tailed monkeys are common, and the forest and lakeshore are rich in birdlife. Chimpanzee trekking with park rangers remains the main reason to come.
Can visitors swim or snorkel in Lake Tanganyika at Gombe?
Yes, after trekking you can swim or snorkel in the lake among colourful cichlid fish. Lake Tanganyika is one of the deepest and oldest lakes in the world.
What is chimpanzee trekking in Gombe actually like?
Accompanied by park rangers, visitors follow forest trails to find one of the habituated communities descended from the chimpanzees Jane Goodall first studied. It is described as one of Africa's most moving wildlife encounters.
Can I visit Jane Goodall's former feeding station and viewpoint at Gombe?
Yes, you can visit Jane Goodall's former feeding station and the viewpoint where she watched the chimps. These are among the historical highlights of a visit to Gombe Stream National Park.
