Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park is located within the Western Kigoma region in Tanzania. It became popular when a researcher called Jane Goodall studied the behaviour of the chimpanzees that reside in the park, and today its commonly visited for Chimpanzee Tracking Tours. It was set up in 1968 and is regarded among the tiniest national parks in the country occupying merely 35 sq km. Gombe Stream sits next to the hills of the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. The park is made up of woodlands, steep valleys, tropical rainforests as well as grasslands.

Wildlife in Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream inhabits a number of primates including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys plus Vervet monkeys and many more. Hippos, leopards as well as bush pigs also live in the park in addition to reptiles too. More than 200 bird species also reside in the park.

When to visit the park

You can visit the national park throughout the year but the most ideal time to tour is during the months of February to June plus November to Mid-December. Throughout this time, primates can be spotted without difficulty. During July to October, as well as the end of December, the park is dry making the primates easy to see as well as the trails being navigable.

Weather in Gombe Stream National Park

The dry season: During the dry season, from May to October, chimpanzees are easy to locate in addition to a conducive weather for water sports. better still, during this peak season, Gombe Stream does not get congested with people so holidaymakers on a Tanzania Safari Tour who are looking for a less crowded destination can visit the park.

The wet season: During the wet season which runs from November to April, the vegetation is thriving and looks amazing and there is no fog. It is the best time to go for birding. Chimpanzees are usually difficult to trek during this time. The tracks are generally impassable since most of them are muddy.

How to get to Gombe Stream National Park

You can be able to reach the park in two ways; through air or by water transport.

If you opt for air transport, you can take a flight from either Kilimanjaro or Dar-es-Salaam airport that will take you to Kigoma.

For water transport, you can take a boat from Kigoma that will drop you directly to Gombe Stream National Park.

What to pack on a Safari to Gombe Stream National Park

It is recommended that you carry drinking water, hiking boots or shoes, a first aid kit, backpack, a pair of binoculars, camera with spare batteries, insect repellant, light rain jacket, hat, note book, sunglasses, sunscreen, light rain jacket, gloves, light pants and shirts, mosquito net, a guide book as well as other items.

Attractions in Gombe Stream National Park

Chimpanzees and other primates

Gombe Stream National Park has a high concentration of chimpanzees and visitors can get the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat in the tropical forest. The primates that reside in the park include red tailed monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and many others. Tourists also get the chance to go for trekking the chimpanzees and get a better understanding of their lifestyle as the chimpanzees in this park are all habituated.

Birds

Gombe Stream has a rich birdlife with a bird list of about 200 species that include the sunbirds, African fish eagles, vultures plus sunbirds as well as water birds. To top it all off, the park also hosts a number of migratory birds from different continents. If you love birding, you should definitely visit this park.

Things to do while at Gombe Stream National Park

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is a very fun activity and the primary activity in the park. The chimpanzees that live in the park have been habituated and you will have a spectacular time with them as you watch their lifestyle. They share a lot with humans and you will be fascinated by the traits we have in common with them. While trekking, you may come across different wild animals such as bush pigs, dik-dik, bush bucks and others.

Bird watching

Gombe Stream National Park boasts of an abundant birdlife of 200different including native birds and migratory birds. You might even get the chance to see birds that migrate from Europe in the beginning of the wet season. Some of the birds that live in the park include the kingfishers, palmut vulture, sunbirds, African fish eagles, trumpeter hornbill and many others.

Guided Nature Walks

Experiencing the park while walking on a guided trek is absolutely great. Your guide will take you to tour the old feeding station of Goodall’s foundation and you will be able to understand her experience during her research as well as the location where she begun her research into the behavior of the chimpanzees in this park. This is also the exact location where Henry Morton Stanley met Dr. David Livingstone in 1871.

Boat rides

Boat rides usually take place during the morning hours and in the afternoon. It is a spectacular sight while on the river. While you are at the edge of the river, you will also get to view the birdlife plus the wild animals. It is a very serene place and you can take numerous photographs while there.

Fishing Fishing is an exciting activity on the lake. In order to have a great time while fishing, you are required to have a fishing permit as well as a fishing guide. However the highlight of your day will be capturing a large tilapia fish.

Hiking

The tropical forests plus the green hills are great for hiking. You will get the opportunity to see the vegetation in the park from a close range. You will view different rare plant species, birds, wild animals and generally enjoy yourself.

Swimming

Gombe Stream National Park is situated next to Lake Tanganyika that has transparent fresh waters. You can take a dip in the lakeduringa hot afternoon to cool off and relax.

Where to Stay | Accommodation

within Gombe Stream National park, you will not find the super luxury facilities however if you are looking for a somewhat high-end accommodation facility, we have highlighted a few; Gombe Forest Lodge, GHN Lake Tanganyika Hotel and

Kigoma Hilltop Hotel. For Midrange facilities; Mahale Classic Lodge, and then the TANAPA-owned Gombe Bandas perfect for backpackers.