Gombe National Park

Gombe National Park

Gombe National Park, Tanzania’s smallest national park, lies on the western border near the Congo. Despite its size, it gained global recognition through Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking chimpanzee research.

Its diverse landscape features valleys, streams, and rivers, with vegetation ranging from tropical rainforests and alpine bamboo to grasslands. The park’s high concentration of chimpanzees makes it a premier destination for primate enthusiasts. Other notable residents include red-tailed and red colobus monkeys.

Birdwatchers can spot over 200 species, including the majestic fish eagle and the vibrant Peter’s twinspots, which frequent the visitors’ center.
At night, the lake shimmers under a dazzling sky, illuminated by lantern-lit wooden boats, creating a mesmerizing view.

About Gombe Stream National Park
Size: 52 sq km (20 sq miles), Tanzania’s smallest national park.
Location: 16 km (10 miles) north of Kigoma on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania.

Gombe National Park Facts

• Gombe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a protected area renowned for its high concentration of chimpanzees.
• The Gombe Stream Research Center continuously studies the life and behavior of wild chimpanzees.
• Located in northwestern Tanzania, the national park borders Lake Tanganyika and lies just south of Burundi.
• A safari trip to the national park offers a mesmerizing experience as chimpanzees display human-like gestures—kissing, patting, hugging, shaking fists, and holding hands—sharing 99% of human DNA.