GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK

 

LOCATION

North of Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in the remote far west of Tanzania. Arrive by boat from Kigoma

 

ABOUT THE PARK

Gombe Stream National Park is Tanzania’s smallest National Park. It was made famous by Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research. Hikers can visit her science station and the view points from which she made her most famous observations. Gombe Stream is less visited than Mahale Mountains but remains a real gem. It is possible to visit on a budget thanks to the TANAPA run bandas and regular ‘water taxis’ along the lake. When not tracking chimpanzees you can snorkel or enjoy some lake-shore downtime.

 

WHAT TO DO

Hiking to see chimpanzees, lodge safaris, snorkelling, fishing.

 

WHEN TO GO

Ideal chimp viewing: JUNE - OCTOBER. Can be inaccessible between March and June.

Stay 3-4 nights. Fly from Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

 

NOTABLE WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

There are several habituated troupes of wild chimpanzees which the guides will take you to see. Other primate species include olive baboon and vervet monkeys.