Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park is synonymous with chimpanzee trekking, made famous by Dr. Jane Goodall’s research. This small park along Lake Tanganyika offers visitors the chance to observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The forested hills are home to diverse wildlife, including baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and unique bird species. Visitors can also enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.

When to visit

Chimpanzee trekking is possible all year, but the dry months from May to October generally mean easier trails and more predictable sightings. The short rains around November and the longer rains from February to April make the steep forest paths slippery, though the park is at its greenest and the lake at its clearest.

Getting there

Gombe is a narrow strip of forest on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, north of Kigoma. There is no road access: visitors fly to Kigoma and then take a boat along the lake, roughly one to two hours, to reach the park.

What you'll see

This is where Jane Goodall began her landmark chimpanzee study in 1960, and the Kasekela community here remains well habituated. Alongside the chimps, Gombe has a long-studied troop of olive baboons plus red colobus, red-tailed and vervet monkeys, and good forest birding. Steep valleys of tangled forest run down to quiet beaches on the lake.

Good to know

• At about 35 km², Gombe is Tanzania's smallest national park.
• One or two days is enough; it is often combined with a stay in Kigoma or a Lake Tanganyika trip.
• Trekking involves short but steep climbs on rough forest trails.
• Swimming and snorkelling off the beaches is a relaxed way to end the day.