3 Day Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Trekking
Fly to Kigoma, cruise along Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Stream and track the wild chimpanzees made famous by Jane Goodall's research.
- Duration
- 3 days
- Route
- Kigoma – Gombe Stream National Park (Lake Tanganyika) – Kigoma
- Start / end
- Starts and ends at Kigoma Airport (flights from Dar es Salaam or Arusha can be arranged)
- Best time
- Chimpanzee trekking is possible year-round; the drier months of roughly June to October make for easier trails, while in the wet season the chimps are sometimes found lower down the slopes.
- Trip style
- Private boat transfers and trekking with a park ranger guide in a small group, staying at a simple, comfortable tented lodge on the lakeshore.
Tour overview
Gombe Stream National Park is one of Tanzania's smallest parks and one of its most remarkable. It was here, on the forested slopes above Lake Tanganyika, that Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking study of wild chimpanzees in 1960, and the chimpanzee families that live here are among the best studied in the world.
This short trip takes you by plane to Kigoma and then by boat along the lakeshore to Gombe. With a ranger guide you track the chimpanzees through the forest and spend time watching them feed, groom and play. Between treks you can swim in the clear lake, hike to waterfalls and enjoy a peaceful lakeside stay far from the usual safari routes.
Highlights
- Track habituated wild chimpanzees with a ranger guide
- Visit the forest where Jane Goodall began her research
- Scenic boat ride along Lake Tanganyika
- Olive baboons, red colobus and red-tailed monkeys
- Hike to Kakombe Waterfall
- Stay on the lakeshore inside the national park
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Fly to Kigoma, Boat to Gombe
Fly by scheduled flight to Kigoma, a lakeside town in western Tanzania, from Dar es Salaam or Arusha. You are met at the airport and transferred to the harbor, where a motorboat takes you north along the shore of Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest freshwater lake. The ride to Gombe usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, passing fishing villages and steep green hills. Arrive at your lakeshore lodge in time for lunch, a briefing from the park, and a swim or a sunset walk on the beach.
Day 2Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe
After an early breakfast, set out with a ranger guide to track the chimpanzees. Trackers are often already with the community and radio their location, but finding them can take anything from a few minutes to several hours of hiking on steep forest trails. Once you reach them, you spend up to about an hour watching them interact, a moving and unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, hike to Kakombe Waterfall or relax by the lake, watching the baboons on the beach.
Day 3Optional Second Trek, Return to Kigoma
Those who wish can join an optional second chimpanzee trek early in the morning, while others may prefer a walk to Jane's Peak viewpoint or a final swim in the lake. After lunch, board the boat back to Kigoma, enjoying views of the lakeshore along the way. You are transferred to Kigoma Airport for your scheduled flight back to Dar es Salaam or Arusha, or to a hotel in Kigoma if your flight departs the next day.
What is included
- Transfers between Kigoma Airport and the harbor
- Return boat transfers Kigoma – Gombe Stream
- Gombe Stream National Park entrance fees
- One chimpanzee trek with a park ranger guide
- Kakombe Waterfall guided walk
- 2 nights' accommodation on the lakeshore
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water
Not included
- Flights to and from Kigoma (can be arranged)
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Optional second chimpanzee trek
- Tips for rangers, boat crew and lodge staff
- Drinks unless stated
- Personal items and laundry
Good to know
- Park rules set a minimum age for chimpanzee trekking, require visitors to keep a distance from the chimps and ask that you wear a face mask near them; please check current rules with us when booking.
- You should not trek if you have a cold, flu or any contagious illness, as chimpanzees are vulnerable to human diseases.
- Trails are steep and can be slippery, so bring sturdy hiking shoes, long trousers and a light rain jacket.
- Flights to Kigoma do not operate every day, so the trip dates may need to fit the flight schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?
Sightings are not guaranteed with wild animals, but the Gombe chimpanzees are habituated and closely monitored, so success rates are usually very high.
How fit do I need to be?
A reasonable level of fitness is needed, as the trails are steep and the chimps may be some distance away. Your ranger will set a steady pace and take breaks as needed.
Can I combine Gombe with Mahale Mountains?
Yes. Mahale Mountains National Park, further south on Lake Tanganyika, also offers chimpanzee trekking, and the two parks can be combined with flights and boat transfers.
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