Tanzania · Primate Tours

1-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Gombe with Jane Goodall Research

1 Day Round trip from Kigoma Region Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek through lush forest in search of wild chimpanzees
02 Spend up to one hour observing chimpanzee families in their natural habitat
03 Look out for other primates, over 200 bird species, and diverse forest flora
04 Enjoy a scenic boat ride across Lake Tanganyika to reach Gombe National Park
05 Relax on the beach with a picnic lunch and optional visits to Kakombe Waterfalls or Jane's Peak

Explore the remote Gombe National Park on a unique 1-day adventure from Kigoma. Cross Lake Tanganyika by boat to reach the park, then trek through lush forest in search of chimpanzee families and spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Along the way, look out for other primates, over 200 bird species, and diverse forest flora. The experience also includes a picnic lunch, time to relax on the beach, and optional visits to Kakombe Waterfalls or Jane's Peak before returning to Kigoma.

Cross Lake Tanganyika by boat to reach the park, then trek through lush forest in search of chimpanzee families and spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kigoma, Gombe National Park

Languages English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Gombe National Park Chimpanzee Trek and Lake Tanganyika Boat Trip

Depart from your hotel in Kigoma and drive to Kibirizi Port.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride across Lake Tanganyika with stunning views of the lake and coastline.
Meet the park ranger at Gombe National Park headquarters for a briefing.
Embark on a chimpanzee trek with guides and trackers, spending up to one hour observing chimpanzee families.
Spot other primates, birds, and forest flora along the trek.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and relax on the beach.
Optional activities include visiting Kakombe Waterfalls or hiking to Jane's Peak for panoramic views.
Return by boat to Kigoma and transfer to your hotel, completing the day trip.

Where this trip takes you

Lake Tanganyika boat crossing, Gombe National Park forest, Kibirizi Port

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kigoma Region 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All park fees
Round-trip boat trip
Trekking fee
Guide fee
Bottled water throughout the safari
Meals as specified

What's Not Included

International and domestic flights
Tips
Personal items such as visas and travel insurance
Personal expenses and gratuities
Optional activities

What to bring

All items for safari

Know before you go

The Main Attraction: Chimpanzee Trekking

The Focus: The park's primary draw is trekking to observe the wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Gombe is the site of the world's longest-running study of a wild animal population.
A Physical Challenge: Chimpanzee trekking is not a simple walk. The park is a small, hilly strip of forest on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, involving steep valleys and dense bush. A good level of physical fitness is required for the sometimes long and strenuous hikes.
Time on the Trek: Treks can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four or more hours to locate the chimpanzees. Be prepared to hike for a significant amount of time.
Minimum Age: The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 15 years old, as determined by TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority).
Rules: Follow your guide's instructions precisely. Do not feed or attempt to touch the chimpanzees, and maintain a safe distance to protect both the chimps and yourself.