Gombe Stream National Park

Overview

Gombe Stream National Park is situated in the western border of Tanzania and is easily accessible by boat from Kigoma town which is 16 km to the south. With an area of only 52 square kilometers, Gombe Stream is one of the smallest National Parks in Tanzania, comprising a narrow strip of mountainous country bounded in the east by the crest of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and in the west by Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest and second deepest at 1400 meters deep.

Gombe Stream, like its sister game park of Mahale Mountains to the south, is a park without roads, where you can experience nature on foot accompanied by the park guide. The park’s vegetation varies from the evergreen forests of tall trees to open woodlands and grasslands. The park’s most special feature is its chimpanzees, made famous by Jane Goodall’s study. Chimpanzees are classed as one of the world endangered species, and are the primary visitor attraction in Gombe.

Other common mammals found are forest species, mostly primates including baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys and red colobus monkeys. There are more 200 species of birds in Gombe Stream National Park.

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.

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.

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!)