Gombe National Park is among the 22 national parks in Tanzania. Additionally, this National Park is situated in the western ends of Tanzania right next the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. Gombe National Park covers just about 35 square kilometres (13.5 square miles) in size. Hence, the smallest national park in Tanzania.

Gombe Stream National Park was put into establishment in the year 1968. So, this was due to the pioneering work of the British primatologist who was known as Dr. Jane Goodall. She came to Gombe Stream National Park as a young researcher aiming to learn more about wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. And ever since that time till today, it’s a unique place in the world of wildlife conservation and primatology.

Gombe Stream National Park is made up of dense tropical rainforest, steep valleys, rocky hills, and forested slopes. These features shelter a variety of species like the largest population of chimpanzees and other primates like, red colobus monkeys, baboons, and vervet monkeys.

Getting to Gombe Stream national park visitors can get to the national through numerous ways and these include: By Air, use of boats, Train and road.

1. By Air: Want to visit Gombe in Tanzania fast on a short safari? The quickest way ever is by using air. Also, this park is closest to Kigoma Airport, so opt for charter flights from Dar es Salaam and sometimes from Arusha or Mwanza. Them, then take a boat transfer to Gombe National Park in Tanzania.
2. By Boat: while at Kigoma port, it only takes sightseers approximately 1 to 2 hours to get to the Gombe park in Tanzania. There are local boats which are available for visitors to use and access the national park.
3. By Road and Rail: For those that would love to be part of longer adventures Gombe park, use thr rail and road. There is chance to opt for long-distance buses or trains from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma port. So, this would take over 16-20 hours to reach the national park depending on the route and road conditions.

Put into consideration the worst and best time to visit Tanzania for a wildlife safari in Gombe National Park. Here is what to know about the worst and best months to visit Gome Park Tanzania.

Best months to visit Gombe National Park in Tanzania

June to October and the best months to visit Tanzania Gombe park also known to be the dry Season. Additionally, this time is great for numerous safari activities in Gombe national park such as chimpanzee tracking, and general wildlife observation. The weather and the roads like Kigoma- Ujiji from major areas like Dar es Salaam or Arusha are excellent due to the clear skies, minimal rainfall. Hence, perfect for driving to andd from this park during your Tanzania safari tour.

Also, it’s very easy to predict where animals will be congregating during these months. So, animals gather around permanent water sources including Riparian zones, lowland wetlands, Gombe River, small tributaries and Lake Tanganyika. Hence, during your Tanzania Gombe safari in this season, you’ll spot chimpanzees, Primates like red colobus and vervet monkeys and very many others.

Worst Time to Visit Gombe National Park, Tanzania

There are reasons why one shouldn’t opt for a safari in wet season months of March to May in Gombe park. So, it’s because Gombe stream national park tends to have numerous challenges during this season. Therefore, the wet season months of March to May have long rains hence the worst time to visit Gombe Stream National Park.

Due to heavy rains, roads to Kigoma from inland town tend to become very muddy and slippery. So, it becomes hard to visit other areas in this park and also increasing travel time during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Tanzania Gombe. Similarly, the forest paths also get to be hard to navigate plus Boat transfers along Lake Tanganyika are dangerous. Hence, leading to delays or even cancelling boat transfers from Kigoma to Gombe park Tanzania.

As there are numerous water supplies in the wet season within the national park animals do need to congregate at specific water points. So, they disperse to different areas of the park hence reducing predictable viewing opportunities for these animals in Gombe Park Tanzania.

Gombe Stream National Park surely offers unique things to do in Tanzania on a budget with family, kids and couples. Learn about these affordable safari experiences in Gombe National Park to confirm why this park shouldn’t skip your bucket-list.

Gombe Stream National Park offers unique, low-impact tourism activities which are specifically aimed at forest ecology. Also, lake experiences and these activities include Chimpanzee tracking especially around Kakombe Valley, Mitumba Valley, and Mkenke Valley. Additionally, these places to visit in Gombe Stream National Park offer great chimp tracking experiences in Tanznia. Here are some of all safari activities in Gombe NP.

•  Chimpanzee tracking:  This is an iconic Africa safari tour experience carried out in the Tanzania Gombe. So, engage in tis chimp tracking in Gombe Stream National Park especially around areas of Kakombe Valley, Mitumba Valley and Mkenke Valley.
• Hiking and Nature Walks: This national park is filled with numerous hiking trails like The Jane Goodall Trail, Kakombe Waterfall Trail and Mkenke Valley. So, sightseers interested in close-up safaris in Gombe Park Tanzania venture through the park. Hence, witness the beauty of the park plus smaller animals which are within the park.
• Snorkeling and Swimming in Lake Tanganyika. Lake Tanganyika has clear waters and so, is an ideal spot for snorkelling also swimming. It is a very safe at the location for these cheap things to do in Tanzania Gombe. Witness colourful cichlids and other freshwater fish species found within the lake during these activities.
• Bird Watching tours in Gombe. This Tanzania Park is home to over 200–287 species of birds in Tanzania. Also, birdwatching safaris in Gombe National Park are more thrilling especially in the wet season from November and April. So, during this period, migratory species come to the park mostly in areas like the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika and Forest Edges.
  • Expect to see birds like African Fish Eagles, Palm‑nut Vultures, long‑tailed Cormorants. Also, other species in Gombe park like African Darters, Yellow‑billed Storks, Marabou Storks.

2) Other Mammals in Tanzania Gombe

Aside from primates, Gombe National Park has other mammals to see during your safari to this park in Tanzania. So, some of the mammals in this park include Bush pigs and forest duikers, Civets, Leopards, Hippopotami.

 3) Birdlife in Gombe national park in Tanzania

Gombe NP is filled with over 200–287 species of birds, this is one of the main wildlife found within the national park. So, these birds are majorly witnessed in the wet seasons even though even in the dry season they are available. Bird species in Gombe Tanzania include Forest specialists, Lakeshore species, Migratory and edge species.

Visit Gombe National Park in Tanzania and see birds like palm‑nut vultures, African fish eagles, African broadbill, Peter’s twins pot. Also, spot double‑toothed barbet usually seen along lakeshore, forest trails and also around camp areas in Tanzania Gombe.