Tanzania
Gombe National Park Overview
Jane Goodall's chimpanzees. The research that changed the world.
July to October (Best time to find chimps)
July to October (Gombe never gets crowded)
52km² / 20mi²
767-1,606m / 2,516-5,269ft
Gombe Stream is where Jane Goodall arrived in 1960 with a notebook, a pair of binoculars, and an idea that would transform our understanding of primates. Sixty-five years later, the chimpanzees she studied are still here - and you can sit among them. This is not a zoo. This is not a sanctuary. This is wild chimpanzee trekking in the forest where primatology was born.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Gombe's chimpanzees are habituated - accustomed to human presence after decades of research. You trek into the forest with a guide and researcher, find the chimps, and sit with them for up to an hour. Watch them groom, play, forage, and communicate. The eye contact alone is worth the journey.
Goodall's Legacy
This is the site of the longest-running animal research project in history. The Jane Goodall Institute still operates here. Walking the same trails she walked, watching descendants of the chimps she named - David Greybeard, Fifi, Frodo - connects you to a story that matters.
Lake Tanganyika
Gombe sits on the shore of Lake Tanganyika - the world's longest freshwater lake. After trekking, swim in water so clear you can see the bottom at 20 metres. Watch the sunset paint the Democratic Republic of Congo's mountains across the water.
Experience Designer
Brighton Mboya
Regions of Speciality:
Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda
Trip Designer
Brighton has spent the last decade building safaris across the East African circuit, from the Serengeti's migration corridors to the misty volcanoes of Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. He started out guiding walking safaris in Tarangire, then moved into gorilla and chimp trekking after years escorting researchers through the Albertine Rift. His itineraries turn on the small details most operators skip: the right camp on the right night of the migration, a permit window that lines up with the gorilla family closest to your lodge, a quiet bush airstrip that saves a full day on transfer.
Trip Inspiration
Snapshot of a Day
A female chimp sits three metres away, grooming her infant. The baby looks at you with curious brown eyes, then buries its face in its mother's chest. Your guide whispers the chimp's name - she is a granddaughter of one Goodall studied in the 1960s.
Trip Inspiration
Gombe Chimp Experience
Fly to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, boat to Gombe, and spend two days trekking with wild chimpanzees in the forest where Jane Goodall began her research. Swim in the lake. Sleep to the sound of chimps calling across the valley.
Recommended Duration: 3 days
Best Time To Go: July - October
Things to See & Do: Chimpanzee trekking, forest hiking, Lake Tanganyika swimming, research station visit
Don't Miss Out On: Chimp eye contact, sunset on Lake Tanganyika, Goodall's research station
Featured stays
Gombe Forest Lodge
Location: Gombe Stream, Lake Tanganyika shore
Testimonials
“A chimpanzee looked into my eyes for ten seconds. I understood everything Goodall wrote about.”
We trekked for two hours through steep forest before finding the group. They were feeding in a fig tree. One old male climbed down and sat on the trail, three metres from us. He looked at us - really looked - and then went back to eating. That moment is seared into my memory. Our guide said he was the great-grandson of David Greybeard.
— Sophie H. - Paris, France
Process
Step 1
Let's connect
Whether you have a specific trip in mind or are looking for inspiration, get in touch with your travel preferences, and one of our specialists will kick off the planning.
Step 2
Detailed Brief
After a conversation to learn more about your trip, you will receive details on an adventure with us, including activities and accommodation options in the destinations.
Step 3
Customized Itinerary and Confirmation
Collaborate with your specialist to adjust and finalize the itinerary. A per-person trip cost is presented once the itinerary is confirmed.
Step 4
Support, Start to Finish
From the moment you arrive until your trip ends, our team is with you. Experienced guides, porters, and a 24/7 support line ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Good to know
Getting There
Gombe is remote. Fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Kigoma (the nearest town), then take a boat along Lake Tanganyika to the park - about 90 minutes by motorboat. The remoteness is part of the magic.
Fitness Required
Chimp trekking at Gombe involves steep, sometimes slippery forest trails. You need reasonable fitness and sturdy hiking shoes. Treks last 2-6 hours depending on where the chimps are. The forest is hot and humid - bring plenty of water.
Best Time
The dry season (July-October) is best - trails are drier and chimps tend to stay at lower elevations, making them easier to find. The wet season (November-May) is beautiful but trekking is harder and chimps range higher in the forest.
Gombe safaris
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Gombe's chimps are descendants of the groups Goodall studied from 1960. They are habituated to human presence after 60+ years of research. Treks last 2-6 hours depending on chimp location.
Fly to Kigoma from Arusha or Dar es Salaam, then take a 90-minute motorboat ride along Lake Tanganyika to the park. The remoteness is part of the experience.
Chimp trekking involves steep, sometimes slippery forest trails. Moderate fitness is required. Trails are hot and humid. Bring sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of water.
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