Best Time to Visit – Gombe NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

Trekking chimpanzees in Gombe National Park can be done throughout the year, but the odds of finding them quickly is better towards the end of the Dry season, from July to October. This is when the chimps tend to stick to the lower slopes. In the Wet season, it might take three to four hours to locate the chimps. The only private lodge in the park is closed in March-April.

Best Time July to October
High Season July to October (Gombe doesn't get crowded any time of the year)
Low Season April and May (The only lodge is closed)
Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather November to April (Wet season)

May to October –Dry Season

  • Chimpanzee are easiest to track from July to October when they stay on the lower slopes
  • Lots of sunshine – it seldom rains
  • Fewer mosquitoes means less risk of malaria
  • You might see other tourists tracking chimps, but the park never gets really crowded

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (20)
+18 Photos

November to April –Wet Season

  • The air is clear and has no haze
  • Presence of migratory birds makes bird watching great
  • Butterflies are abundant
  • The forest tracks will be difficult and slippery to walk on
  • Chimpanzee might be difficult to find as they move away from the lake
  • It gets very hot and humid

Wildlife Photos
+18 Photos

Best Time to go to Tanzania by Major Park

Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

Want to Visit Gombe NP?