Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe

Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe

Imagine walking in the pristine forests searching for the chimpanzees. You feel nature after every step you make, touch it, and discover little things like butterflies, mice, and flowers. That is another side of Tanzania. That’s Tanzania beyond game drives.

While game drives in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater offer tremendous views of wildlife, Tanzania is more than that. You can experience it differently by engaging in a barefoot adventure, which makes you part of nature, not just an observer.

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the off-the-beaten-path wildlife experiences worth going after. In Tanzania, this experience is available in the remote western corner, on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.

You may be wondering why these beautiful primates live in the western part of the country. Here’s the reason. Chimps prefer ancient, dense mountainous forests, which are prevalent in western Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the DR Congo. They find refuge in forested mountain slopes and steep valleys, which are common in Gombe and Mahale.

Gombe National Park

Gombe is small and compact, but it has much to offer. It’s only 35 square kilometers (14 square miles), making it Tanzania’s smallest national park. But if you want to watch the chimps in their natural habitats, then head to this park. The population of wild chimpanzees is between 80 and 100. Most of them are habituated – they are not scared of humans being around them.

Gombe is also famous for Jane Goodall’s research on the behavior. This British primatologist arrived in Gombe National Park in 1960 and spent decades studying these big-brained creatures. She came out with groundbreaking findings, which redefined the way we view these creatures.

Gombe lacks large game, except occasional leopards, but it’s home to many primates, including olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys. Along the trail, you might also see birds, butterflies, and flowers.

Chimpanzee trekking

This experience is unique as it sounds. It requires a special permit from the park officials, usually costing $100 per person. The park also allows only eight guests to trek with a single chimpanzee troop for an hour, excluding hiking time.

The adventure starts with a brief on the experience and how to behave around the chimpanzee. You then start hiking on the trail, following clues like dung, shaking of branches, and their unique call. The hike may take a bit longer, maybe 2-3 hours, and along the way, you can watch other primates like baboons or stare at colorful birds.

After we locate a troop, you’ll sit at least 8 meters from them and enjoy their daily routines. Watch the playful young chimps as they play with giant silverbacks. As you concentrate, you notice that these primates have a clear division of labor. Females take care of children while silverbacks defend their territory.

After an hour, we leave the troop and hike back. Appreciate the beautiful floral species along the way. You can walk around the forests to find other primates or visit Jane Goodall’s research center. You can also proceed with other activities, like surveying on the beach. At lunch, you can taste one of the delicious fish found in Lake Tanganyika, cichlid fish (migebuka).

Other things to do in Gombe

Boat cruises

The evenings are perfect to be spent by the lake. Head out for a sunset cruise to experience a sundowner from a boat in the middle of the water. Witness the sun sinking in the crystal-clear waters of the longest tropical lake.

Beach relaxation

Lake Tanganyika has some of the finest beaches. They’re pristine and uncrowded, allowing you to relax on your own. You can hone your diving or snorkeling skills in the shallow waters of the lake.

When to go to Gombe for trekking with the chimpanzees.

The best time for chimp trekking in Gombe is from June to October. This time, you can easily navigate the vegetation. The chimpanzees also stay near water sources, and their movements are predictable. In addition to that, the trail is dry and easier to walk on.

How to get to Gombe

The best way is to fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma Airport. There are daily scheduled flights connecting these towns, taking about 2 hours. From Arusha, you can fly, mostly on a charter flight, to Kigoma Airport.

The only way to get to Gombe from Kigoma town is by boat. The ride takes about 4 hours to arrive at Gombe.

Where to stay in Gombe

Gombe has limited places to stay inside the park. Its only accommodation is Mbali Mbali Gombe Camp, with the capacity to accommodate just 14 guests per day. The camp has seven tents perfectly designed to offer luxury and comfort.

The bottom line

Trekking with the chimpanzees in Gombe is an experience worth a trip. We can take you there. Our safari planners can tailor-make your itinerary to fit your budget and travel time. And our guides are there to make you enjoy your trip. If you still have more questions about this experience, please call us.