Fact 01
Size
About 52 km², one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks.
Photo: Roland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gombe Stream National Park Facts
Local Expert
By the Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris team
Our Arusha-based guides and safari planners know Gombe Stream National Park first-hand, and write this guide from experience on the ground.
Gombe Stream National Park is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks, a narrow strip of forested valleys and ridges on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, north of Kigoma. It is world-famous as the place where Jane Goodall began her pioneering chimpanzee research in 1960, and it remains one of the best places in Africa to spend time with habituated wild chimpanzees.
Gombe at a glance
Gombe Stream National Park: Key Facts
The essentials for planning a private, tailor-made visit.
Fact 02
Established
1968, managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
Fact 03
Location
Eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, north of Kigoma.
Fact 04
Famous for
Habituated wild chimpanzees, tracked on foot.
Fact 05
Research history
Jane Goodall began her chimpanzee study here in 1960.
Fact 06
Other primates
Olive baboons, red-tailed and red colobus monkeys.
Fact 07
Access
By boat from Kigoma; there are no roads into the park.
Fact 08
Ideal stay
2–3 nights for chimpanzee trekking.
Gombe Safari Tour Packages
Every traveler experiences Gombe differently. Choose the safari style that suits you, and Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris will tailor a private itinerary around your dates, budget and interests.
For Families
Family Safari
Ideal for
Families with children, grandparents and multi-generational groups
Highlights
Private vehicle, family rooms and a flexible, unhurried pace
Gombe works well for families who plan ahead: our guides turn every sighting of habituated chimpanzee families, olive baboons and forest monkeys into a learning adventure, and we tailor activities to the ages and energy of your group.
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For Couples
Honeymoon Safari
Ideal for
Honeymooners, anniversaries and couples celebrating something special
Highlights
Sundowners, private dinners and secluded, romantic stays
Pair habituated chimpanzee families, olive baboons and forest monkeys with private sundowners, candle-lit dinners and a secluded room with a view. Many couples finish with Mahale Mountains, a northern circuit safari or a Zanzibar beach stay for the perfect escape.
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For Photographers
Photography Safari
Ideal for
Wildlife photographers and keen amateurs who want the best light
Highlights
Flexible timings, patient guiding and golden-hour outings
Flexible timings and patient guiding put you in the right place at dawn and dusk. In Gombe, expect habituated chimpanzee families, olive baboons and forest monkeys, plus guided chimpanzee treks through steep forest valleys for varied angles and stories.
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Easy Pace
Seniors Safari
Ideal for
Mature travelers who value comfort, safety and a gentle pace
Highlights
Short transfers, comfortable stays and an attentive private guide
A manageable boat ride and a short lakeside stay, although chimp treks on steep, slippery forest trails suit travelers with reasonable fitness and a steady pace. We plan a gently paced itinerary with rest time each day and an experienced guide who handles every detail.
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Fly-In
Flying Safari
Ideal for
Travelers short on time who prefer flights to long road transfers
Highlights
Scenic flights and more time for wildlife
Flights reach Kigoma, followed by a boat transfer north along the shore of Lake Tanganyika. Flying in maximises your time with habituated chimpanzee families, olive baboons and forest monkeys and links neatly with Mahale Mountains, a northern circuit safari or a Zanzibar beach stay.
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Premium
Luxury Safari
Ideal for
Travelers seeking the finest stays, service and exclusivity
Highlights
Private guiding, fine dining and exclusive experiences
Stay at the finest available camps and lodges with private guiding, fine dining and exclusive experiences such as guided chimpanzee treks through steep forest valleys, all while enjoying habituated chimpanzee families, olive baboons and forest monkeys in comfort.
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Best Value
Mid-Range Safari
Ideal for
Travelers who want comfort and quality without luxury prices
Highlights
Comfortable en-suite rooms, full-board meals and private guiding
Comfortable, well-located accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, full-board meals and private guiding: the best-value way to experience habituated chimpanzee families, olive baboons and forest monkeys.
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Solo Travelers
Solo Safari
Ideal for
Solo travelers who want safety, privacy and flexibility
Highlights
Private vehicle, dedicated guide and sociable camp evenings
Travel on an individual private, tailor-made safari with your own vehicle and dedicated guide. Gombe is welcoming for solo guests, with guided chimpanzee treks through steep forest valleys and sociable evenings at camp.
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Gombe Stream National Park Facts: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gombe Stream National Park famous for?
Gombe is famous for its wild chimpanzees and as the site of Jane Goodall’s long-term chimpanzee research, which began in 1960. Guided treks take visitors into the forested valleys to observe habituated chimps, and the park also offers lakeshore scenery, forest walks and other primates.
How big is Gombe Stream National Park?
Gombe covers only about 52 square kilometres, making it one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania. Its narrow strip of steep valleys and ridges runs along the shore of Lake Tanganyika, so most treks are short but can be steep.
How do you get to Gombe?
Gombe has no roads. Visitors usually fly to Kigoma and then travel by boat north along Lake Tanganyika to the park, a trip that takes from about one to a few hours depending on the boat. We arrange all transfers as part of a private itinerary.
How long should I stay in Gombe?
Two to three nights is ideal. Chimpanzee locations change daily, so allowing more than one trekking day gives the best chance of a rewarding encounter, plus time for a forest walk and relaxing by the lake.
Plan Further: Gombe Stream National Park Guides & Resources
Explore Gombe Stream National Park
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