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Gombe National Park

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Gombe National Park (Tanzania)

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Gombe National Park is Tanzania's smallest, yet its scientific importance is immeasurable. This is where Jane Goodall began her legendary studies on chimpanzee behavior in 1960. The park consists of a narrow strip of mountainous rainforest bordering Lake Tanganyika. Chimpanzee trekking is the ultimate highlight, offering a rare chance to meet our closest relatives in the wild. In addition to chimpanzees, Gombe is home to Anubis baboons, red colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. The landscape is characterized by deep valleys and steep slopes intersected by streams. Hikes to waterfalls, such as Kakombe Falls, offer spectacular views and a welcome refreshment in the tropical heat. As the park is only accessible by boat from Kigoma, visitor numbers remain limited. Accommodations are mostly simple and close to nature, emphasizing the focus on wildlife observation. In Kigoma, you can try local dishes like 'Dagaa' (small dried fish), while camps serve international fare. The best time to visit is the dry season (May to October), when trails are less slippery and chimpanzees are easier to track. The wet season from November to April is convenient for photographers, however, as the vegetation is particularly lush and the air is extremely clear.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C242525252524242627262524
Rain mm1641291571615885134497191160

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Gombe National Park is open for visits - you explore the dense forest mainly on foot. Entry is usually allowed, but you must join guided tours.
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Typical hours
Typical opening hours are from sunrise to sunset, usually between 6:00 and 18:00. Exact times vary by season.
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Photography
Photography is allowed, but flash is strictly prohibited near chimpanzees. Use a telephoto lens for best shots without disturbance.
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Time needed
A half-day trip suffices for a short introduction, but a full day is recommended. Those with more time can undertake multi-day hikes.
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Combine with
Combine your visit with Kigoma town and a boat trip on Lake Tanganyika. A detour to the Mahale Mountains is also possible.
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Getting there
The park is only accessible by boat from Kigoma - the journey takes about 1-2 hours. Book a public or private boat in advance.
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Insider tip
Book your chimpanzee trekking permit well in advance - the daily visitor quota is strictly limited. Mornings offer the best chance of encounters.

Geography

Coordinates
-4.66667, 29.63333

Facts

  • Smallest national park in Tanzania
  • Jane Goodall's research site
  • Famous for chimpanzee troops
  • Accessible only by boat
  • Home to Kakombe Falls
  • Over 200 bird species
  • Bordered by Lake Tanganyika
  • No vehicles allowed in the park

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Gombe ParkGombe Park7 km · SEExplore →
Gombe ForestGombe Forest9 km · SWExplore →
Kigoma PortKigoma Port20 km · WExplore →
Ujiji Historical SiteUjiji Historical Site24 km · WExplore →
Port of Nyanza-LacPort of Nyanza-Lac30 km · EExplore →
Nyanza-LacNyanza-Lac31 km · EExplore →
MabandaMabanda40 km · NEExplore →
Mount InanzerweMount Inanzerwe47 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Gombe National Park (6)

Jane's Peak🌿 nature

Jane's Peak is an elevated viewpoint in Gombe National Park famous as a favored observation spot of primatologist Jane Goodall.

Old Feeding Station📍 landmark

The Old Feeding Station in Gombe National Park remains as a historical site where researchers initially accustomed wild chimpanzees to human presence with bananas.

Gombe 3📍 landmark

Gombe 3 is a designated tracking zone within the dense forested hills of Gombe National Park where specific chimpanzee troops are routinely observed.

Kaburi wazi hill📍 landmark

Kaburi wazi hill is a prominent natural attraction in Gombe National Park offering challenging hikes through prime chimpanzee habitat.

Ngonya River🏛 museum

The Ngonya River museum facility details the aquatic ecology and historical research expeditions along the waterways of Gombe National Park.

Gombe Stream National Park🌿 nature

Gombe Stream National Park is a protected nature reserve on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, world-renowned for Jane Goodall's pioneering behavioral research on its resident chimpanzees.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Gombe National Park: where is it located?
Gombe National Park is located in Tanzania.
Gombe National Park: what is there to see?
Highlights include Jane's Peak, Old Feeding Station, Gombe 3.
Gombe National Park: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Gombe National Park: why is it worth visiting?
Gombe National Park is Tanzania's smallest, yet its scientific importance is immeasurable.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Kasulu — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Kasulu
A bustling town near the Burundian border, heavily influenced by regional trade.
Kigoma — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Kigoma
The most important port city on Lake Tanganyika and terminus of the Central Railway.
🗺️
Kibondo
An isolated border town, heavily impacted by the many refugee camps in the area.
Nyanza-Lac — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Nyanza-Lac
Nyanza-Lac is a lakeside town in southern Burundi.
Mabanda — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Mabanda
Mabanda is a southern Burundi town near the Tanzanian side of the country.
Makamba — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Makamba
A southern city close to the Tanzanian border.
Vyanda — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Vyanda
A town in the south of Bururi Province, near the Vyanda Forest Reserve.
Bururi — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Bururi
A southern Burundi city set in a cooler upland area.
Songa — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Songa
Songa is a southern Burundi commune with an agricultural character.
Rutovu — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Rutovu
Rutovu is a southern highland town in Burundi.

Nature

🗺️
Source of the Nile
The source of the Nile in southern Burundi is a symbolic geographic point tied to the river's long journey north.

More places

Gombe Forest — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Gombe Forest
A famous forest for chimpanzees.
Serengeti Habitat — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Serengeti Habitat
A world-famous wildlife area.
Kizimkazi Historical Mosque — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Kizimkazi Historical Mosque
One of the oldest Islamic sites in East Africa, located at the southern tip of Zanzibar, still in use today.
Gombe Park — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Gombe Park
Famous for chimpanzee research.
Kigoma Port — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Kigoma Port
The main port on Lake Tanganyika, facilitating trade with neighboring Burundi, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
Ujiji Historical Site — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Ujiji Historical Site
One of the oldest towns in western Tanzania, famously known as the place where Henry Morton Stanley met David Livingstone.
Port of Nyanza-Lac — Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
Port of Nyanza-Lac
A strategic port at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika for trade with Tanzania.
🗺️
Mount Inanzerwe
The highest point in the southern province of Makamba, located close to Lake Tanganyika.