Gombe Stream is the smallest of Tanzania's national parks, but thanks to the world renowned zoologist Dr Jane Goodall, it is also one of the best known. Despite its size, Gombe Stream National Park is among the most beautiful areas in Tanzania. Covered mainly in dense tropical forest, the park also encompasses a long stretch of Lake Tanganyika's shoreline, making it a haven for all manner of wildlife, with a particularly stunning array of birdlife.
More significantly, Gombe is one of the few areas in Africa which harbours the rare Chimpanzee. Jane Goodall's study of the Gombe chimps, conducted in the 1960s, contributed hugely to our understanding of primates. Other primates found in the park include baboon, red colobus, red-tail and blue monkey.
In and around Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
Chimpanzee safaris are of course the main attraction of Gombe, but you can also hope to spot game such as bushbuck, dik-dik and duiker, while the lakeshore attracts a huge variety of birdlife, including eagles, kingfishers and turaco. Big game, however, is very limited.
Most days start with a visit to the chimps, while afternoons are typically free to explore the park on foot - there are many walking trails - or to take a boat onto the lake, where you can also swim/snorkel.
Though not as easily accessible as the parks on Tanzania's northern safari circuit, Gombe Stream is well worth the effort it takes to visit - for many who travel here it is the highlight of their safari. For excellent chimp-viewing tours, do also consider Mahale.
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