Gombe Stream National Park — Entry Fees & Practical Info

Gombe Stream National Park is the smallest national park in Tanzania, yet it holds an outsized place in the history of science and conservation. Perched on the steep, forested slopes above Lake Tanganyika in the country's remote west, Gombe Stream National Park is world-famous as the site of Dr Jane Goodall's pioneering chimpanzee research. For anyone fascinated by our closest relatives, Gombe Stream National Park offers an intimate and deeply moving wildlife experience.

Why visit Gombe Stream National Park? The chance to trek through lush forest and observe wild chimpanzees, habituated over decades of research, is extraordinary. The chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park are among the most studied and best understood in the world, and encountering them in their natural habitat is a profound and unforgettable privilege.

The history of Gombe Stream National Park is legendary. In 1960, a young Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking study of chimpanzee behaviour here, transforming our understanding of primates and humanity itself. The area was gazetted as a national park in 1968, and research continues today, making Gombe Stream National Park a living landmark of scientific discovery.

Wildlife in Gombe Stream National Park is centred on its famous chimpanzees, but the forest also supports olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Over 200 bird species inhabit the park, alongside bushpigs, forest antelope, and a wealth of butterflies and insects.

Activities in Gombe Stream National Park focus on guided chimpanzee trekking through the mountain forest. Visitors can also hike to scenic waterfalls and viewpoints, watch baboons along the shore, and enjoy the calm waters of Lake Tanganyika for swimming, snorkelling, and boating.

The landscape of Gombe Stream National Park is a narrow strip of rugged terrain where steep forested valleys and grassy ridges tumble down to the sparkling lake. Streams cascade through the greenery, and the meeting of forest, mountain, and water creates a scene of striking natural beauty.

Culture enriches any visit to Gombe Stream National Park. The lakeshore communities of the Kigoma region have long lived alongside this landscape, and the nearby historic town of Kigoma and Ujiji offer fascinating cultural and historical connections.

Accommodation for Gombe Stream National Park includes a comfortable lakeside lodge and simple park guesthouses and hostels, with many visitors basing themselves in or near Kigoma before travelling to the park by boat.

Travel tips for Gombe Stream National Park: reasonable fitness is required for the steep forest treks, so wear sturdy footwear and follow guide rules to protect the chimpanzees. Access is by boat from Kigoma, so plan transfers in advance. Antimalarial precautions are essential, and the dry season offers the best trekking conditions.

The best season to visit Gombe Stream National Park is the dry season from June to October, when trekking is easiest and wildlife is most visible, though the park is rewarding year-round. Nearby attractions include Mahale Mountains National Park, Lake Tanganyika, and the town of Kigoma.

Gombe Stream National Park is a small but historic sanctuary where the story of chimpanzee research began and continues today. Whether trekking to meet these remarkable apes or gazing across Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream National Park offers a rare and inspiring adventure. Begin planning your journey today.

Entry fees

Activities

Opening hours

6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (daily; treks by booking)

All parks · View on AfricaTravelHub