How to get to Gombe Stream National Park
Getting to Gombe Stream National Park is quite a challenge and can cost a bit because its’s locate in the remote area on the far western parts of Tanzania. The park is about 1,108 kilometers from Dar es salaam by plane and 800 kilometers from Arusha, making it relatively inaccessible to get to. However, there are two ways to reach the park, with flying and taking a boat being the easiest and fastest options.
By air
Taking a flight in the easiest way on getting to this park. Depending on your travel itinerary, our driver guide from Focus East Africa Tours will pick you up from either Nyerere International Airport in Dar es salaam, or in Arusha at Kilimanjaro International Airport. They will also arrange your domestic flight to Kigoma town near the park. There are regular scheduled domestic flights connecting form Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Kigoma Airstrip in this Kigoma local town most close to the park, in most cases different charter flight companies such as safari Air links or coastal aviation operate these domestic flights. Once you arrive in Kigoma, it’s just a short 20-kilometer trip to Gombe Stream National Park, but you’ll need to take a boat to get there. You’ll rent a private motorboat for this journey, which adds to the excitement of your adventure. The boat ride takes less than an hour.
By road
Another option to reach the park is by driving. If you’re coming from Dar es Salaam, the journey to Kigoma is about 1, 374 kilometers, which takes around 20 hours passing through Dodoma and Tobora. If you’re going through Tabora, and takes around 16 hours. Once you arrive in Kigoma, you’ll need to take a boat to get to Gombe Stream National Park. However, using ground transportation can be challenging and often takes a lot of time, so it might not be the best choice
For brilliant chimpanzee trekking and viewing we recommend you to have two nights for exploring their culture, beauty and behavior.
About Gombe Stream National Park
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 sq km, 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 ranked as one of the world’s endangered species, and is 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.
What to do and see while on a Tanzania safari in Gombe Stream National Park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is the most popular activity for visitors at Gombe Stream National Park. This park offers a fantastic opportunity to observe chimpanzees up close, as many of the family groups are used to being around people. The highlight of any visit is definitely the hike up the hilly, forested areas to reach the chimps’ homes. As you get closer, you can hear their distinct pant-hoot calls, which only adds to the excitement.
When you finally come face to face with these amazing animals, it’s a thrilling experience, especially knowing they share about 98% of our DNA. Making eye contact with a chimp feels like a moment of connection, bridging the gap between our species. While exploring their territory, you’re also likely to see other primates, like monkeys swinging through the trees, as well as baboons and a variety of other wildlife, including reptiles, bush pigs, and even elephants.
Boat trips
The boat trips offer stunning views of the park’s lush greenery and clear blue waters. You can take these rides on Lake Tanganyika or the local rivers, and there’s an option for every budget. They can be arranged upon request and are offered in the morning and afternoon. As you glide across Lake Tanganyika, you’ll enjoy the fresh breeze and admire the breathtaking scenery of the Great Rift Valley, along with the sights of various birds and animals.
Birding
Experience the thrill of bird watching in Gombe Stream National Park. This beautiful park is home to more than 200 different types of birds, showcasing a mix of birds from East African grasslands and West African forests. While on a birding safari here, you can spot amazing species like the Pied Kingfisher, Common Hoopoe, Speckled Mousebird, Crowned Hornbill, Common Barn Owl, African Fish Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Little Sparrowhawk, African Harrier Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture, Osprey, White-winged Tern, Long-tailed Cormorant, African Darter, Great Cormorant, African Sacred Ibis, Striated Heron, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron and Yellow-billed Stork among others.
Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks in Gombe National Park are truly something special. The park is filled with beautiful landscapes, featuring steep hills, rivers, and a mix of plants like alpine bamboo, tropical rainforests, and grassy areas. These natural wonders create stunning views as you explore the area. During the walk, you’ll have the chance to see an old feeding station set up by the Goodall Foundation, where Dr. Jane Goodall studied chimpanzee behavior. You’ll also learn about the historical meeting between Henry Stanley and Dr. Livingstone in 1871.
Hiking Safaris
Hiking safaris in Gombe Stream National Park offer amazing encounters with the park’s green vegetation and scenic views of the surrounding area. Hiking is an adventurous safari activity as it not only treats you to spectacular scenery but also tests your physical ability. Enjoy the heavily forested green hills and tropical forests with abundant sights of unique wildlife species including plants species, animals such as chimpanzees, elephants, monkeys, and baboons as well as a variety of bird species including African broadbill, Black saw-wing, Crowned eagle, Double-toothed barbet, Kenya Rufous sparrow, Livingstone’s turaco, Palm-nut vulture, Peter’s Twinspot and Red-capped Robina mong others.
Best time to visit Gombe Stream National Park
The best time to visit Gombe national Park for the Chimpanzee tracking is between November and August but you’ll need to be in the right place at the right time to catch all the action
Where to stay while on a Tanzania safari in Gombe Stream National Park
When visiting Gombe Stream National Park for a safari, you’ll find plenty of places to stay, ranging from basic self-catering options to luxurious lodges. Some popular 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.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about how to get to Gombe Stream National Park and then 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.
