Gombe stream national park is a safe area and of the slightest national parks in Tanzania located western Kigoma region and remains in a range of 20 kilometers north of Kigoma, the national park occupies a surface of 52 square kilometers neighbouring Lake Tanganyika to the west and thigh rift escarpment to the east.
Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park, which was first designated as a national reserve in 1943 and later changed to a national park in 1968, is a prime habitat for chimpanzees. The Gombe National Park is well known for serving as the focal point for Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research, which began there in 1960 and continues to this day. It is the longest-running study of its sort ever conducted. With no formal college background and at the age of 25, Jane Goodall set off for Tanzania to do study on chimpanzees based on the knowledge that they share more than 80% of our genetic makeup. While pursuing her studies, she conducted study on Fifi, the matriarch of the first group studied when Jane Goodall arrived at Gombe National Park. Fifi was 3 years old when Goodall first observed her, and she is still alive today.
A sandy beach, steep mountains, river valleys, rolling grasslands, and steep slopes covered in semi-deciduous forest make up the scenery of Gombe Stream National Park, which is quite similar to that of Mahale. Gombe National Park is home to around 150 habituated chimpanzees and is regarded as Tanzania’s premier primate habitat. Other primates found in the area include baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and many others. Almost 200 different bird species can be found in the Gombe National Park, including both resident and migratory species that come to the area from November to April. African broadbill, Black saw-wing, Crowned eagle, Double-toothed barbet, Kenya rufous sparrow, Livingstone’s turaco, Palm-nut vulture, Peter’s twinspot, Red-capped robin-chat, Red-chested cuckoo, Ross’s turaco, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, and many other bird species can be found in Gombe National Park.
Things To Do In Gombe Stream National Park.
Chimpanzee tracking.
The primary safari activity in Gombe Stream National Park is chimpanzee tracking. The area is home to habituated chimpanzees that have become accustomed to humans and have been trained for tracking. In the Gombe Stream National Park, chimpanzee tracking begins with a training on the laws and procedures to be followed before heading into the tropical forests in search of the chimpanzees. Finding the chimpanzees in their groups playing and going about their daily lives is the highlight of this encounter. When searching for chimpanzees, you may also see dik-dik, bushbucks, bush pigs, and other animals.
Birding safari.
Over 200 bird species, both resident and migratory, can be found in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Birding safaris there provide opportunities to see birds like the African broadbill, Black saw-wing, Crowned eagle, Double-toothed barbet, Kenya rufous sparrow, Livingstone’s turaco, Palm-nut vulture, Peter’s Twinspots, Red-capped robin-chat, Red-chested cucko.
Guided nature walks.
Gombe Stream National Park is a great place to go on guided nature walks because it is naturally equipped with steep valleys, streams, and rivers as well as a variety of flora types, including alpine bamboo, tropical rainforests, and grasslands. You have the chance to visit the former Goodall Foundation feeding station during this same excursion, which is where Goodall first started his research on chimpanzees. Henry Stanely and Dr. Livingstone also first met at the old feeding station in 1871.
Boat rides.
Boat rides are available on Lake Tanganyika and the park’s rivers, providing breathtaking views of the park’s greenery and blue waters. The Gombe National Park offers boat trips on demand in the mornings and afternoons. These excursions reward visitors with views of birds, other animals like chimpanzees, and the chance to take some beautiful photos.
Hiking safaris.
Hiking safaris in Gombe Stream National Park are an exhilarating safari experience that provide fantastic encounters with the park’s lush greenery and picturesque views of the surroundings. Hiking also serves as a workout activity because it challenges your physical stamina and works your muscles. Trekking through thickly forested green hills and tropical woods at the Gombe Stream National Park allows you to see rare wild flower and plant species, chimpanzees, and a variety of birds, including trumpeter hornbills, horn bills, kingfishers, sunbirds, palmnut vultures, and many others.
Fishing safaris.
Fishing safaris in the Gombe Stream National Park are particularly engaging safari activities that allow visitors to practice their fishing skills for pleasure in the Lake Tanganyika waters. Many fish species, including the Lake Tanganyika sardine, Tanganyika killifish, Lake Tanganyika sprat, Tanganyika slates, and enormous tilapia, can be found in Lake Tanganyika. You must obtain a fishing ticket that includes a fishing guide in order to go on a fishing safari in Gombe Stream National Park.
Swimming safaris.
Swimming safaris at Gombe National Park are conducted at Lake Tanganyika, which is close by. Lake Tanganyika is the second-oldest freshwater lake in the world and the second-largest lake in East Africa. The cool lake waters of a swimming safari provide a pleasant and calming experience away from the stifling sun.
How To Access Gombe Stream National Park.
Only water and air transportation are available to get to Gombe Stream National Park; domestic flights are available from Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. You can take a car from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kigoma, and a boat connects Kigoma and the park by water.
Accommodation In Gombe Stream National Park.
Accommodations at the Gombe Stream National Park are obtained from a variety of lodging facilities of varying status; these lodging facilities are divided into luxury, midrange, and low-cost options.
The GHN Lake Tanganyika Hotel, the Kigoma Hilltop Hotel, the Gombe Executive Lodge, the Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, the Triple J resort, and many others are all luxurious.
Midrange hotels include the Sunset Vista Hotel, Leader’s Lodge, Gombe Forest Lodge, and many more.
Gombe Bandas, Janda Lodge, One Point, and Muzye Lodge are included in the price.