Gombe national park in Tanzania is a forested ancient park nestled along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, featured with mountainous and steep valleys. The park serves as an ecosystem to protect primates mainly the chimpanzees. The park has captivating sceneries that consists of valleys, ridges and flowing streams. Gombe national park was designated as a game reserve in 1943 and later established as a national park in 1968. The park is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks covering an area of 35 square kilometers.
How to get to Gombe national park in Tanzania
Gombe national park also known as Gombe streams national park found in Kigoma town is accessed by boat after taking landing by flights from Julius Nyerere international airport or Kigoma airport. All flights can be booked by the tour operator through Air Tanzania, safari Air link, Zan Air and precision Air. There are boats that take tourists taking about an hour to reach the park.
What are the activities to do in Gombe national park?
There are a number of activities that are done during your visit to Gombe national park such as;
Chimpanzee trekking
Gombe national park is most known for chimpanzee habituated groups where primate lovers visit to trek the chimpanzees in their forested home. Chimpanzees in Gombe national park in tanzania became known in 1960 during Dr. jane Goodall research activities in the park. It is noticed that the park now has over 150 chimpanzee individuals that are visited every day. Other primates that are spotted in Gombe national park are the red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. There are also sightings of animals like forest pigs, small antelopes, hippos and leopard.
Birdwatching
The park is a home to over 200 bird species that makes it a must visit area for bird enthusiasts. A birding safari to Gombe is worthy where you will view birds such as double toothed Babet, Livingstone turaco, Kenya rufous sparrow, African broadbill, black saw wing, red capped robin, palm nut vulture, crowned eagle, African fish eagle, ring necked dove, ross’s turaco, red chested cuckoo, yellowbill, African pigeon, Hildebrandt’s francolin, crested guinea fowl and many more
Boat trips
There are arranged boat trips on Lake Tanganyika and the park streams offering beautiful views of the park. The boat can be booked for single or group individuals that wants to enjoy the rift valley escarpment.
Hiking safari
Hiking takes you to explore the forest on foot through the guided hikes and nature walks along Lake Tanganyika shores.
Waterfalls viewing
The park has streams and waterfalls which provide important sources of water for birds and wildlife creating picturesque landscapes. nature lovers explore various waterfalls in the park such as kakombe and mkenke waterfalls that provide tranquil beauty.
Jane Goodall research Centre
Getting insights from the famous primatologist jane Goodall site founded in 1960 before even Gombe was established as a national park. This nature enthusiasts did great work in conservation efforts to protect the chimpanzees.
Kasekela chimpanzee community
This community in Gombe has attracted chimpanzees for many years where tourists witness these species up close in this conducive environment.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is one of the unique activities that is done on Lake Tanganyika. This involves catching fishing using the live baits and other methods before they release it back in the water.
Best time to visit Gombe national park
Gombe national park can be visited all year round, however the best time for ideal trekking, bird viewing and wildlife is during the dry season that range from June to September and December to February. During this period the chimpanzees are so active as they forage for food.