Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe: An Unforgettable Wildlife Adventure
Imagine locking eyes with a chimpanzee in its own world. The raw emotion, the intense intelligence, and the connection you feel is like nothing else. Gombe National Park offers you this chance. It’s a place where you can trek through the forest and observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Gombe’s also famous for Jane Goodall’s long-term research. Her work changed how we understand these amazing animals. Chimpanzee trekking here is a unique and responsible way to experience wildlife tourism.
Key Highlights of Gombe National Park
Location: Nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, Gombe is one of Africa’s smallest national parks (52 km²) but rich in biodiversity.
Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe: Gombe is home to a population of wild chimpanzees, and trekking to observe them in their natural habitat is the main attraction.
The chimps are habituated to human presence, allowing for close encounters and incredible opportunities for observation and photography.
Biodiversity: Gombe is home to about 90–100 chimpanzees in three habituated communities (Kasakela, Mitumba, and Kalande). Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe focuses on the Kasakela group.
Besides chimpanzees, Gombe is home to other primates, such as olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys.
The park also boasts diverse birdlife, tropical forests, and stunning views of Lake Tanganyika.
Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe Itinerary
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- Day 1: Fly Dar es Salaam to Kigoma followed boat transfer to Gombe. Half Day Chimpanzee Trekking
- Day 2: Full day Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe National Park
- Day 3: Boat from Gombe to Kigoma then fly to Dar es Salaam
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TOUR RATES
Solo traveler: US $ 1180
2 pax: US $ 890 per person
3 pax: US $ 880 per person
4 – 5 pax: US $ 850 per person
Planning Your Chimpanzee Trekking
Planning a chimpanzee trekking in Gombe needs some thought. Knowing the best time to go and how to get there is important. You should also learn how to book your permits. A little planning makes for a smooth and amazing experience.
Best Time to Visit Gombe
The best time for chimpanzee trekking in Gombe is during the dry season. This is from June to October. The trails are easier to hike then, and the chimps are easier to find. During the wet season, from November to May, the forest gets thick. It can be harder to trek and see the chimpanzees. Even though it can be harder in the wet season, the park is still open. Just be ready for muddy trails and rain.
Getting to Gombe National Park
Getting to Gombe requires a bit of travel, but it’s worth it. First, you can fly into the Kigoma Airport (TKQ). From there, you’ll need to take a boat to Gombe. Boats are often chartered or available as scheduled services. The boat trip takes about 2-3 hours. Chartering a boat might cost around $300-$500. Scheduled services are more affordable, around $30-$50 per person. It’s best to book your boat in advance, especially during peak season.
Accommodation:
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- Luxury: Gombe Forest Lodge (tented camp with lake views).
- Mid-range: Mbali Mbali Gombe (comfortable tents).
- Budget: Gombe Rest House and Kasekela Tented Camp near the park headquaters.
Itinerary For Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe
Day 1: Kigoma – Gombe Stream National Park
The 3-day chimpanzee trekking tour begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Dar es Salaam, followed by a flight to Kigoma, departing at 09:30 am and arriving at 11:40 am. Upon arrival, you will meet a representative who will take you to a local restaurant for lunch, then to the port for a boat ride to Gombe National Park, which takes about 1.5 hours on Lake Tanganyika.
After registering at the park headquarters, you’ll embark on an afternoon trekking adventure guided by a park ranger to spot chimpanzees and other primates in the forest rich with bird life. In the evening, you’ll return to Gombe Rest House for the night.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe
After an early breakfast, the journey begins with a half-day chimpanzee trekking in the forest, specifically hiking to a former chimpanzee feeding point where researchers once provided bananas. This feeding practice was halted due to concerns that it made chimps lazy in foraging for their natural diet, consisting of herbs and fruits, which led to weakened immune systems and increased illness and mortality among the chimps. The trek continues uphill to Kakombe waterfalls, where visitors can enjoy the cool breezes and stunning scenery. Along the way, trekkers may also encounter various monkey species, including olive baboons, beachcombers, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys, with the red-tailed and blue monkeys known to hybridize in the area. After midday, the group returns to the lodge for a hot lunch, packs up, and boards a boat back to Kigoma town. Upon arrival in Kigoma, guests will be transferred to Green View Resort for their overnight stay.
Day 3: Gombe – Kigoma – Depart
On the final day of the 3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Gombe, you will have breakfast at the lodge and then depart at 8:00 am for a 1.5-hour tour of the Dr. Livingstone Museum in Ujiji town. A guide will share the history of Dr. Livingstone and highlight the meeting point with Stanley. After the museum visit, you’ll drive directly to the airport for your 12:20 pm flight to Dar es Salaam, where a transfer will be provided to your hotel.
Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe Includes:
- Boat transfer Kigoma- gombe Park fee,
- FB accommodation at Gombe Rest House,
- Meal on the last day at Kigoma,
- All transfer made by road in a private car in
- Kigoma and Dar es Salaam,
- Fee for professional guide, all activities as per itinerary
Tour Excludes:
- International flight,
- Airport departure tax,
- Flying doctors insurance,
- Activities which doesn’t mention on the itinerary,
- Tips for the guide,
- Any other expenses of the personal nature.
GWhat to Expect on a Chimpanzee Trek
A chimpanzee trek in Gombe is an adventure. You’ll spend time hiking and observing these creatures. Knowing what to expect can make the experience better.
The Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe Experience
A typical day involves an early start. Treks usually begin around 7 am. You’ll hike with experienced guides who know the forest well. The trek can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. The terrain can be steep and uneven. You need to be reasonably fit. The guides track the chimps and lead you to them. When you find them, you’ll spend about an hour observing them. It’s amazing to watch them eat, play, and interact
Essential Packlist for Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe
Bringing the right gear can greatly enhance your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Key items to consider are:
- Durable walking shoes or boots
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts for protection against vegetation and insects
- Rain protection, as the weather may be unpredictable
- Binoculars to observe the chimps and various wildlife more closely
- A camera with an excellent zoom lens to capture your experiences
- Ample water and snacks
Chimpanzee Trekking Rules & Regulations
Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe National Park is a popular attraction, but strict rules are essential for the safety of both chimpanzees and visitors. Key regulations include:
- Maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the chimpanzees to prevent disease transmission.
- Wear masks when close to them and avoid eating or drinking in their presence.
- Keep personal items off the ground and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Those with infectious diseases should not participate, and participants must be at least 15 years old.
- Speak softly, do not mimic chimp calls, and avoid sudden movements or direct eye contact.
- Stay in tight groups, avoid surrounding the chimps, and squat or sit to reduce disturbance.
- If chimps approach, calmly find a nearby tree for safety and grip its trunk.
- If they come within 10 meters, back away slowly without sudden movements and avoid flash photography.
Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
At gombe national park, chimpanzee tracking is allowed from 0800 hrs to 0600 hrs. Each day, five groups are permitted to go chimpanzee trekking, with a maximum of 5 people in each group. The cost of a permit is $118 for adults and $23.6 for children between the ages of 5 and 15.
Travel Tips for Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe
As adventurers prepare for their trek in Gombe, certain travel tips and best practices can enhance the overall experience. Visitors should consider packing light but essential items aimed at comfort and safety, such as sturdy footwear, water, and adequate clothing for varying weather conditions. Adhering to safety guidelines when it comes to wildlife interaction is imperative, both for personal safety and to ensure that wildlife is respected during encounters. Finally, planning the visit during the dry months can yield better opportunities for wildlife observation, leading to a truly unforgettable adventure in one of East Africa’s most precious national parks.