Gombe National Park

Home to the Chimpanzee

TANAPA

November 19, 2019

Welcome to Gombe National Park

A map showing the location of Gombe National Park

There are truly wild places in Tanzania, Gombe National Park is one of them. The nature value of Gombe was noticed in 1943 when it was designated as a game reserve. Gombe gained its popularity after the pioneering research activities of Dr Jane Goodall in 1960 which is believed to be the longest running study of primates in the world. Conservation status was upgraded to that of a National Park in 1968 and opened for tourism in 1978 after chimpanzee habituated to human visitors. It is located 16 km north of Kigoma town on the shores of the world’s second deepest Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania with an area of 56 square kilometers.

How to get there

Drive, schedule or charter a flight from Dar es salaam, Mwanza or Arusha or take a slow or fast train from Dar es salaam or ferry along the shore of Lake Tanganyika from Burundi or Zambia to Kigoma. To reach Gombe you must travel by boat from Kigoma. Depending on your budget, there’s an option of speed boat, which takes much less time- or passenger’s boat, which takes longer about 4 hrs.Boat ride is an amazing trip.

Park Attractions

Gombe wilderness worth a year round visit; enabling you to cruise along part of the historical inquisitiveness way back in the 19th century when Livingstone and Stanley searched the source of River Nile. Rainy season is the best chimpanzee sporting while the green vegetation blooms providing an astonishing scenic view and waterfalls are at the best (November to Mid- May) while dry season provides a chance for best photo taking , short and long hike(May to October).

Wild Animals

Gombe has abundant and diverse wildlife animals. Habitat preferences and seasonal food cycles determine in a general sense where a particular animal may be at a particular time (esp chimpanzee). Although Gombe chimpanzee are favorite among wildlife watchers that come to the Park, there are several notable animals.

*Red tailed Monkey (Picture by Africawildlifes)*

*Red colobus Monkey (Picture by Africawildlifes)*

Reptiles and Amphibians

Gombe is attractive to herpetologist and other scholars as it harbors provides dozen of reptilian and amphibian species, which some of them are endemic to the Park.

Kakombe and Mkenke waterfall

Besides the incredible wildlife experience you can head out to Kakombe trail and Mkenke valley and explore the gorgeous natural Kakombe and Mkenke waterfalls.

*Waterfall at Kakombe valley, a spiritual place*

Lake Tanganyika

African great Lake, one of the attraction in Gombe National Park. This is the longest and deepest lake in Africa and the second deepest lake in the world.

Bird’s Life

Gombe is also a home to numerous birds. Over 200 birds species fly around, varying from the iconic fish eagle, three kinds of kingfishers and the bright Peters twinspots. Another remarkable character is the palm vulture, a near vegetarian common to Lake Tanganyika that prefers fruits over carcasses. They usually stay in their blotch of forest since food is abundant throughout the year and occasionally venture into open area.

Tourism Activities

Gombe National Park is a place to capture lots of memorable experiences, ranging from getting a view of the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika to exploring dense tropical rainforest. You can take a trails for deep forest hike with great chances of bird watching, butterfly gazing and sightseeing at Jane’s peak, mountain hiking to the waterfalls and large populations of the shy, social African great apes make Gombe National Park a popular destination for exciting moments of chimp trekking. Furthermore the Lake offers an expansive area for sport fishing, snorkeling,kayaking and swimming.

Chimpanzee trekking

The chimpanzees trekking is the main activities at Gombe National Park. These remarkable mammals, habituated to human visitors, were made famous by the pioneering work of Jane Goodall, who in 1960 founded a research program that now stands as the longest running study of its kind in the world.

Boat cruise

Tourists hire a tourist boat and just move about in the Lake Tanganyika to view its tourist attractions and leisure taking activities.A boat cruise is an amazing experience—you can choose a luxury boat or an ordinary speedboat, depending on your budget—for it allows you to feel Lake Tanganyika’s breeze while savoring a view of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

Walking Safari

Short walks along the shores of Lake Tanganyika or to Waterfalls.

Mountain hiking

There are magnificent views of the mountains of the rift escarpment falling westwards into the lake. The undulating terrain, valleys and the mosaic forest, woodland and grassland provide visitors with varied attractive landscape.

Butterfly gazing

Butterfly are most colorful, striking and silent beauty of the forest among the smaller creatures in the Gombe forest. The estimated total butterfly of Gombe is 400-500 species.

Filming

Gombe is a hotspot for filming. A number of Tanzanian TV crews and journalists have been interested in chimpanzee and conservation in general. Moreover there has been a lot of interest over the years by international communities such as National Geographic and BBC on Gombe’s chimpanzees and the forest.

Kayaking

Kayaking is one of watersports activity conducted in Gombe National Park. A small narrow boat which is propelled by means of a double –bladed paddle. This activity is done when the lake weather is calm. Four hours of paddling out offer a great way to explore part of stunning Lake Tanganyika.

Sport Fishing

This activity is done for pleasure is also known as a catch and release, it is done when the Lake weather is Calm. Crew are experienced at all disciplines of fishing. Well-equipped sports fishing boats and informed crews will ensure your absolute enjoyment out on Lake Tanganyika water.

Snorkeling and diving

Gombe National Park has a tranquil beach. Water sport activities such as snorkeling and diving will add values to your visit. Lake Tanganyika offers a whole other world to explore under the water. Gombe is a remarkable place for snorkeling and diving. Shielded by hills, the waters here are calm, clear and rich with colorful life that leaves a lasting impression.

This activity is conducted for 3hours within the lake.

Cultural tourism at Mwamgongo village

Mwamgongo Village is located adjacent to Gombe National Park. The village formed a women cultural group. Visitors are invited to experience authentic hospitality, learn about traditional dances and local art and craft.They produce pottery, fabrics, grass hats, mats and baskets using traditional techniques and local materials.

Accomodation

Gombe National Park offers high earned and budgeted tourists as it encompasses an array of places to stay. Ranging from rest house, public/special campsite and Banda’s. Private facilities like Kasekela luxury campsite and Gombe forest lodge are also available (A Prior booking is highly recommended!)

Kasekela Luxury Campsite

Kasekela luxury campsite nestles in a perfect place to immense warm breeze of the world’s longest freshwater Lake Tanganyika, each tent at Kasekela features either one king-size bed or a double bed.

Kasekela Rest house

Kasekela rest house has a capacity of 12 people.Rooms are decorated in a simple, elegant fashion.You can enjoy the sunshine from your private balcony.This rest-house has a restaurant which provides Swahili and Western cuisine comprising a wide range of mouth-watering dishes.

Mitumba Rest house

Located in the shade of dense tropical rainforest just along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Mitumba rest-house has a capacity of 5 people. Park provides catering services to visitors however tourists can organize a self-catering.

Gombe forest lodge

This lodge provides a catering for maximum of 14 people.Elegantly furnished luxury tents of Gombe Forest Lodge were designed to offer every comfort.

Gombe Tourist Guiding Map

Visit Gombe National Park today

Support the work of Gombe National Park by visiting the Park and seeing the wildlife that call this place home. Visiting parks help support local livelihoods and help protect wildlife for generations to come

Learn more about the work of Tanzania National Parks to protect and manage Tanzania's wildlife for Tanzanians and the world