Chimpanzee Trekking
Guided forest walks to find chimpanzees, with rules to protect both animals and visitors.
Western Tanzania
Gombe National Park
Chimpanzee trekking and forest landscapes beside Lake Tanganyika.
Gombe is a small, beautiful park on Lake Tanganyika, known worldwide for its research on chimpanzees.
Western Tanzania · Tanzania
Discover Gombe
Chimpanzees on the Lake Shore
Gombe Stream National Park lies on the shore of Lake Tanganyika near Kigoma. It is a small park of forested valleys and steep slopes that run down to the water.
The park is famous for the long-running study of its chimpanzees, which began in the 1960s.
Reaching Gombe is part of the adventure, as access is mainly by boat.
ChimpanzeesHabituated communities
Lake TanganyikaDeep, clear lake
BoatAccess from Kigoma
SmallCompact park
Highlights
What Makes Gombe Special
A close encounter with our nearest relatives.
Lake Tanganyika
The lake offers clear water, quiet beaches and a beautiful backdrop to the forest.
Forest Walks
Steep forest trails lead through streams and valleys alive with birds and primates.
Wildlife Encounters
Primates and Forest Life
Besides chimpanzees, Gombe is home to baboons, red colobus and other monkeys, along with many forest birds.
Sightings depend on where the chimpanzees are on the day, so a flexible approach helps.
Chimpanzees
Olive Baboons
Red Colobus
Vervet Monkeys
Forest Birds
Lake Fish
Waterfalls
Lake Views
Things to Do
Experience Gombe
Plan for forest walking, early starts and some steep terrain.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Walk with a ranger to find habituated chimpanzees.
Waterfall Hike
A forest hike to a waterfall within the park.
Swimming
Relax on the beach after trekking, where allowed.
Boat Journey
Travel across the lake from Kigoma.
Birdwatching
Look for forest species along the trails.
Photography
Close wildlife encounters in dappled forest light.
When to Visit
The Best Time to Visit Gombe
Your ideal travel period depends on the experiences and landscapes you want to enjoy.
The Drier Months
Trails are firmer and trekking is generally easier.
The Wetter Months
The forest is green, but trails can be slippery and rain is more likely.
Plan Your Visit
Getting to Gombe
Gombe is reached from Kigoma by boat, and Kigoma is served by scheduled flights and by road and rail.
Boat transfers depend on lake conditions, so allow for flexibility.
- Fly or travel to Kigoma first.
- Boat transfer to the park.
- Chimpanzee trekking requires a ranger and park rules apply.
- Confirm permits, fees and boat schedules in advance.
Western Tanzania
Let Us Plan Your Gombe Journey
Tell us your dates, group size and what you hope to experience, and we will shape a journey around it.
Plan Your Gombe Journey