Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe National Park

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Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream National Park offers more than just a wildlife adventure. It gives you the chance to explore a forest known for years of research and to see wild chimpanzees where they live. Gombe sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. Although it is one of the country’s smallest national parks, its steep valleys and varied forests are home to many interesting animals.
Trekking in Gombe can be physically challenging, and there is no certainty of seeing chimpanzees. However, with preparation and patience, one might have an unforgettable encounter with great apes in East Africa.

Tour Highlights

  • Two chimpanzee tracking sessions within two days in Gombe.
  • Experience a boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Stream National Park
  • Explore Gombe National Park, the site of Dr Jane Goodall’s landmark chimpanzee research since 1960
  • Optional hike to Jane Goodall’s Peak for panoramic views of Gombe and Lake Tanganyika
  • Sighting other primates such as colobus monkeys, baboons, and red-tailed monkeys
  • Spot birds and wild pigs
  • Experience the beautiful scenery of the Gombe forest
Trekking Chimpanzee Gombe

 Chimpanzee Trekking Itinerary 

Day 1: Fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, followed by a boat transfer to Gombe. Half-day chimpanzee trekking

Day 2: Trekking Chimps in the morning, then transfer by boat to Kigoma

Day 3: Fly Kigoma to Dar es Salaam

TOUR RATES

Solo traveler: US$ 1,180
2 pax: US $ 890 per person
3 pax: US $ 880 per person
4 - 5 pax: US $ 850 per person

Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe Includes

  • Boat transfer Kigoma- Gombe  Park fee,
  • Return air tickets from Dar to Kigoma
  • FB accommodation at Gombe Rest House
  • All transfers made by road in a private car in Kigoma
  • 1 night accommodation in Kigoma
  • Fee for a professional guide; all activities as per itinerary

Tour Excludes

  • International flight
  • Airport departure tax,
  • Flying doctor's insurance,
  • Activities that are not mentioned on the itinerary,
  • Tips for the guide,
  • Any expenses of a personal nature.

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Day-by-Day Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe

Day 1: Dar es Salaam - Kigoma - Gombe

The 3-day chimpanzee trekking tour begins with a flight from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, which departs in the early morning and arrives in Kigoma around 08:30 am. Upon arrival, you will meet with our guide, who will take you to a local restaurant for breakfast, 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 birdlife. In the evening, you’ll return to Gombe Rest House for the night.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking Gombe

After having breakfast early in the morning, you’ll embark on the adventure and spend half a day doing chimpanzee trekking through the forest. The trek includes moving to a chimpanzee feeding site. In this feeding process, they used to feed bananas to the chimps. The feeding process has ceased now because it has resulted in making chimps lazy since they don’t have to look out for their normal food like herbs and fruits. Therefore, it has made them weak since it has affected their immune system, and they fall sick more often, resulting in death. Trekkers go further to Kakombe waterfalls to feel the breeze of the refreshing environment. They might meet some monkeys such as olive baboons, beachcombers, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus, blue monkeys and vervet monkeys. Among the monkey species mentioned above, two are known to hybridize in the region, and they include red-tailed and blue monkeys. After midday, we move back to the lodge for a hot lunch and prepare ourselves for boating back to Kigoma town, where we will then go to Green View Resort for accommodation.

Day 3: Kigoma to Dar es Salaam

On the final day of the Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Gombe, you will have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your 08:30 am flight to Dar es Salaam. The tour concludes upon arrival in Dar es Salaam. Onward city or international airport transfers can be arranged based on your final flight schedule.
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Why Gombe is Famous

The fame of Gombe is directly tied to primatologist Jane Goodall. Beginning in 1960, Goodall studied chimps in Gombe in relation to their social interactions, family ties, tool use, and hunting patterns. She revolutionized the knowledge of chimps and helped raise awareness for their conservation through her studies.
Gombe’s research program makes it a key location for chimpanzee behavior and ecology research. Tourists visiting the park must remember that Gombe is primarily a wildlife sanctuary, and not a zoo. The chimps living in the forest are wild animals and behave as such.
Jane Goodall Gombe

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.

What 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

Best Time to go for Chimpanzee Trekking in 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

Gombe is isolated and cannot be accessed by road.

Access Route

  1. Fly to Kigoma: Take a commercial flight from Dar es Salaam or a charter flight from Arusha to Kigoma Airport.
  2. Boat to Gombe: From Kibirizi Port in Kigoma, you take a boat north along Lake Tanganyika. A private speedboat takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, while a traditional wooden dhow takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Accommodation:

    • 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Gombe is and what the landscape is like?

Gombe Stream National Park is situated along the western edge of Tanzania, adjacent to Lake Tanganyika. Access to the park is usually via boat from Kigoma, the principal town of the area. While traveling by boat across the lake is one part of the experience, there are always variations in travel plans and conditions.
Gombe is a relatively small national park in comparison with the famous savanna parks of Tanzania. The landscape of Gombe is quite different from that of a safari. There will be forest tracks, ravines, inclines, and uneven terrain. Trees include woodland, grasslands, and forests, with streams running through the valleys.

What does chimpanzee trekking involve?

A trek usually begins with a briefing from park staff or guides, followed by a hike into the forest to look for a habituated chimpanzee community. Guides use their knowledge of the animals and the latest information about their location to choose a route. Because chimpanzees travel through the forest, the search can take time and may involve steep, slippery trails.
After locating the chimps, the visitors may be allowed to watch them at a certain distance for some time, according to the guidelines of the park. The chimps may be feeding, grooming, resting, vocalizing, and moving through the canopy. They may also run away or stay partly hidden. There are no assurances that the visitors will have a close and long view.
The trek may take several hours, depending on how the chimps are moving and other factors such as the weather and terrain. Always listen to your guide during the whole journey.

What might you see apart from chimpanzees?

Chimpanzees are Gombe’s main attraction, but the forest is home to other wildlife too. Visitors may encounter olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and a variety of birds. The park also has smaller mammals and reptiles, though many are elusive.
The landscape itself is part of the experience. From higher trails, there may be views across Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s deepest freshwater lakes. Its clear waters and long shoreline provide a striking contrast to the shaded forest paths.
Wildlife sightings vary from day to day. Keeping an eye out for plants, insects, birds, and signs of animal activity can make the trek rewarding even when chimpanzees are difficult to find.
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