Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Gombe Stream National Park: Gombe Stream National Park is a national park in Kigoma District of the Kigoma Region in Tanzania, It stretches about 16 km north of Kigoma, the capital and the nearest town to the park. Gombe Stream National Park was established in 1968, it is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania. The Gombe Stream National Park is the smallest in the country. It measures an area of just 35 square kilometers and has become one of the most visited chimpanzee trekking sites in East Africa, of protected land along the hills of the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika – is an African Great Lakes, it is the second-largest freshwater lake by volume and the second deepest in both cases after lake Baikal in Siberia. It is the world’s longest freshwater lake which is shared among four countries such as Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia. More so the park’s terrain is distinguished by steep valleys and the vegetation ranges from grasslands to woodland to tropical rainforest. Amazingly the park is most famous as the location where Jane Goodall pioneered her behavioural research on the common chimpanzee populations.
Many tourists and primatologists visit Tanzania with the sole purpose of encountering chimps in a wild setting. The groups earmarked for tourism have gradually gotten used to frequent human presence in a process known as the chimpanzee habituation experience. Tourists who visit Gombe Stream National Park also get the rare opportunity to see other monkey species like the olive baboons, colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys among others.
Chimpanzee trekking is the main highlight of any safari in Gombe Stream National Park. This activity involves walking on foot through the lush and dense forest in search of habituated chimpanzee families. The chance of observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat is a profound experience that fosters a deeper understanding of their social structure and behaviors. Trekking these fascinating creatures can be physically demanding, requiring good fitness level, but every step is rewarded by the thrill of encountering friendly chimpanzees swinging from branch to branch.
This amazing activity typically begins early morning with a briefing at the park headquarters where tourists are introduced to the chimps tracking procedures and the expectations during the trek and there after you will be allocated an experienced guide who will take you through the park’s lush forest to hunt for these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. During the chimpanzee tracking safari, you will also have the chance to encounter other forest dwellers such as beachcombers, olive baboons, Anubis baboon, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, diadems, snakes, leopards, bushpigs and various colorful birds and flowering plants. Once these fascinating creatures’ area allocated, you will have the chance to observe how they do with their daily activities such as playing, grooming, foraging for food and playing among others. you will also have a chance to have captivating photographs and many more in the wild.
How much is chimpanzee tracking permit in Gombe Stream National Park?
A Chimpanzee Permit in Gombe Stream National Park costs $ 100 per person, it is important to know that the minimum age of chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania 15 years. Travelers are required to follow the guidelines given to them during the briefing before the trek. Visitors are recommended to maintain the park’s rules and regulations for chimpanzee trekking in the park such as Sticking to the trekking group and not wandering off and risking getting lost in the dense vegetation. Keeping a distance of at least 7 meters away from the nearest chimpanzee while viewing and spending time with them and finally not looking directly into the eyes of a chimp as this may be mistaken for aggression or a challenge.
Packing List for Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe Stream National Park
Tourist planning to take part in chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream National Park should pack long-sleeved shirts to prevent insect bites and scratches in the forests. T-shirts, free walking trousers, strong light waterproof hiking boots and breathable socks are also highly recommended for the dense African jungle. Other items on the packing list should include insect repellents, sunscreen, a digital camera, binoculars, day backpacks to carry travel equipment, drinking water, rain jackets, and snacks.
What is the best time to go for chimpanzee tracking in Gombe Stream National Park
The best time to go for a chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream National Park is during the dry season, the trails in the forests are free of mud and less slippery. It may also be easier to take photos and undertake longer hikes. However, fruits are scarce during the dry season and the chimps may move deeper into the forest hence requiring more time finding them.
Where to stay while on a chimpanzee tracking in Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park has a number of stunning safari accommodation options ranging from budgets to mid-range and luxury levels. All these accommodation facilities offer the best services to visitors. Such accommodations include Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, Lake Tanganyika Hotel, Coast View Resort, Mwitongo Garden Hotel, Janda Lodge, Sunset Vista Hotel, One Point Lodge, Gombe Executive Lodge, Nzimano Hotel, Triple J Resort, Zanzibar Lodge, Malagarasi Hotel, Mwanga Lodge and Kigoma Hilltop Hotel among others.
Besides the chimpanzee tracking, Gombe Stream National Park also offers other fascinating activities to its visitors while on a Tanzania safari in the park, tourists on a chimpanzee tracking in the park can also join an activities number of activities such as, primates tracking, exploring the beauty of jane’s Goodall peak to learn her achievements in chimp’s habituation, nature walks, birdwatching forest natures walk and cultural tours among others
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information and inquiries about Tanzania chimpanzee tracking in Gombe Stream National Park and book with our tours and travel companies, such as Focus East Africa Tours, who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.
