Gombe National Park – Overview

Set on the shore of scenic Lake Tanganyika, forested Gombe National Park is one of the best places in Africa to track chimpanzees. Originally habituated by Jane Goodall in the 1960s, the chimps of Gombe now form the subject of the world’s longest-running study of a wild animal population. Observing these fascinating apes, which are our closest living genetic cousins, in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.

Best Time To Go

July to October (Best time to find chimps)

High Season

July to October (Gombe never gets crowded)

Size More info

52km² / 20mi²

Altitude More info

767-1,606m / 2,516-5,269ft

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Pros & Cons

• A chance to come face-to-face with chimps
• Pristine forest rising from the shore of the world’s longest and second-deepest lake
• Watching wildlife on a hike is a nice change from vehicle safaris
• Very exclusive and not crowded
• Remote from Tanzania’s other parks and relatively difficult to get to
• Accommodation options are limited

Wildlife

Gombe’s chimps are the main attraction, but the park is also home to a habituated troop of olive baboon that can usually be found on the lakeshore. Several other monkey species are present, notably the endangered Ugandan red colobus, which is sometimes hunted by chimps.

Scenery

Gombe lies on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, which is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by volume and the longest on the planet at 675km/420mi. Within the park, 13 streams run down from the forested escarpment to the sandy beach. Swim out into the lake to look back at how the forested slopes climb the steep Rift Valley escarpment.

Activities

The main reason most people visit Gombe is to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat, and this is far and away the most popular activity in the park. Chimp tracking aside, guided walks along the forest paths offer an opportunity to see other primates and birds, and to enjoy the lovely tropical scenery.

Weather & Climate

Gombe has a pleasant, relatively cloudless Dry season (May to October) and a humid, stormy Wet season (November to April). Due to the proximity to the equator, temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year (around 26°C/79°F during the day and 18°C/64°F at night). A lot of water can get dumped on the park when the rains come, but these usually arrive late in the day and don't last long.

Best Time To Visit

The chimps tend to stick to the lower slopes of the escarpment from July to October (the middle and end of the Dry season), so this is the best time to track them. Hiking through the forest is also much easier when the tracks are firm and dry. By contrast, in the Wet season (November to April) the forest paths tend to be slippery underfoot, and it usually requires a lot more effort to find chimps.

Want To Visit Gombe NP?

• Gombe Chimp Trekking Tours
• Tour Operators for Gombe