Location, How to Get There, and Overview

Gombe Stream National Park is a narrow strip of protected forest along the northeastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, in western Tanzania. Covering just 52 square kilometers, it’s the smallest of Tanzania’s national parks — but globally famous as the place where Dr. Jane Goodall conducted her groundbreaking chimpanzee research beginning in 1960.

By Air:
The nearest airport is in Kigoma, which can be reached by scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam or Arusha. From Kigoma, visitors take a boat to the park.

By Boat:
A 1 to 2-hour boat ride from Kigoma across Lake Tanganyika is the only way to access the park. Options range from motorboats to traditional wooden dhows.

By Road:
You can also reach Kigoma by overland travel, though the journey from Dar es Salaam can take multiple days.

Gombe’s intimate size, beautiful landscapes, and remarkable chimpanzee encounters make it a truly special destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Tourist Attractions

• Chimpanzee Trekking – Gombe is home to a famous, habituated chimpanzee community that can be observed on guided forest hikes.

• Jane Goodall Research Site – Visit the place where Jane Goodall began her pioneering primate studies, which forever changed how we understand great apes.

• Kakombe and Mkenke Waterfalls – Short hikes through the lush forest lead to these beautiful waterfalls.

• Lake Tanganyika Shoreline – Crystal-clear waters offer great swimming, kayaking, and lakeside relaxing after trekking.

• Forest Wildlife – Besides chimps, Gombe hosts olive baboons, red-tailed and blue monkeys, bushpigs, and small antelope.

Fun Facts

• Gombe is home to the world’s longest-running chimpanzee research project, started by Jane Goodall in 1960.

• Many chimpanzees here are descendants of individuals studied by Goodall, and are still tracked by researchers today.

• The park’s steep valleys and forested hills create an incredibly scenic, immersive environment.

• Though tiny, Gombe holds a dense concentration of biodiversity, including over 200 bird species and rare butterflies.

Best Time to Visit

• July to October (Dry Season): Best for chimpanzee tracking; trails are drier and chimps stay closer to the lower slopes.

• November to May (Green Season): Lush and vibrant forest conditions, great for photography and birding, though trails may be slippery.

Activities

• Chimpanzee Trekking – Hike with expert guides to find and observe wild chimpanzees up close in their natural habitat.

• Forest Hiking – Explore the park’s rugged terrain, hidden valleys, and waterfalls on foot.

• Birdwatching – Spot forest species like trumpeter hornbills, palm-nut vultures, and the rare African broadbill.

• Swimming and Kayaking – Enjoy the cool, clear waters of Lake Tanganyika after your trek.

• Cultural Tours in Kigoma – Combine your visit with a tour of this historic lakeside town, once a hub of explorers and traders.

Why Visit Gombe Stream National Park?

Gombe is a sacred site for wildlife lovers and primate researchers alike. It’s where the story of human-chimp connection began and continues to this day. With up-close chimp encounters, no roads, and an enchanting forest setting on the lake, Gombe offers a safari experience unlike any other — intimate, educational, and emotionally powerful.