Key facts
| Area | 52 km² |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Tanzania on Lake Tanganyika, near Kigoma |
| Getting there | 2 to 3 hours by boat from Kigoma |
| Park fee per person per day | 100 USD. Children aged 5 to 15 years 20 USD (chimpanzee visit from age 12), under 5 years free. Plus 18% VAT. |
| Best months | January to February, June to October |
| Typical wildlife | Chimpanzees, baboons, red colobus monkeys, guenons, leopards |
| Accommodation | Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge |
Highlights and wildlife
At 52 km², Gombe Stream National Park is one of the smallest parks in Tanzania, yet one of the best known. You hike through dense tropical rainforest, over steep mountain slopes and along small streams that flow into Lake Tanganyika. Narrow valleys and marked differences in altitude create many different habitats within a small area. The focus is on the chimpanzees that live here in the wild. You will also frequently encounter baboons, red colobus monkeys and vervet monkeys, often right along the hiking trails. Leopards are also part of the park’s ecosystem, but usually remain hidden. The park is also home to numerous forest birds and birds of prey.
Gombe became world-famous through Jane Goodall, who began chimpanzee research here in the 1960s. Decades of observation produced groundbreaking insights into the behaviour of chimpanzees. Several chimpanzee groups live in the forested valleys of the park and roam the forest daily in search of food. On guided walks, you follow the tracks of a group and observe the animals from a respectful distance. To this day, the park is considered one of the most important sites for primate research worldwide.
Best time to visit
In principle, you can visit Gombe all year round. Conditions are best in the dry seasons from January to February and from June to October. Then the hiking trails are easier to walk, and the chimpanzees stay at lower altitudes more often, which makes them easier to observe. In the rainy seasons, the forest becomes very dense and the steep paths can be slippery, making the hikes more demanding. Scenically, however, the park looks particularly lush and green at these times.
| Month | Weather | Wildlife |
|---|---|---|
Dry season, better paths | ||
Dry season, better paths | ||
Dense forest, slippery paths |
Fees and rules
The park fee is 100 USD per person per day. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 20 USD, children under 5 are free; 18% VAT is added to all amounts. Chimpanzee trekking is only possible on foot and always with a guide. You keep a distance of at least 10 metres from the animals and follow the instructions of your guide. According to TANAPA, only visitors aged 12 and over may visit the chimpanzees; if you are ill or have an infectious disease, the visit is not permitted. When you come within 50 metres of the animals, you wear a mask provided by your guide. You stay with the animals for a maximum of one hour, in small groups. You still need patience and some stamina, as the paths are steep and the search for a group can take time.
Getting there and combinations
Gombe lies near the town of Kigoma and cannot be reached by road. You take a domestic flight to Kigoma or travel by train from Dar es Salaam. From the harbour in Kigoma, you continue by boat; the journey to the park takes two to three hours. This remote location preserves the park’s original character. For a longer trip through western Tanzania, Gombe combines well with other parks: Mahale Mountains National Park is also known for chimpanzees, but is considerably larger and wilder. With Katavi National Park, you can add a classic savannah safari to the rainforest.
