4 Days Chimpanzee Encounter Gombe Stream N. P. & Historical Tour

Detailed Overview

Overview

Gombe Stream National Park, the smallest national park in Tanzania, is located in the western region of Kigoma on the wild shores of Lake Tanganyika. Its main attraction are the chimpanzee families that live in the park. This park became famous for Jane Goodall, the resident primatologist who spent many years in its forests studying the behavior of the endangered chimpanzees. But hiking and swimming are also popular activities here, once the day’s expedition to see the chimpanzees is over. Guided walks are available that take visitors deep into the forest to observe and sit with the extraordinary primates for an entire morning — an incredible experience and one that is the highlight of many visitors’ trips to Africa. Besides chimpanzee viewing, many other species of primates live in Gombe Stream’s tropical forests. Vervet and colobus monkeys, baboons, forest pigs and small antelopes inhabit the dense forest, in addition to a wide variety of tropical birdlife.

Lake Tanganyika is the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of volume and the second deepest lake after Lake Baikal in Siberia.

8 km down the lake shore from Kigoma, Ujiji is one of Africa's oldest market villages that was once an important base for the goods and slave trade from the Congo. Here, the two British explorers “Richard Burton” and “John Speke” were the first Europeans to reach Lake Tanganyika in February 1858. This is where the famous words "Dr. Livingstone, I presume" were spoken by the explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley when he found the famous explorer David Livingstone, believed to be dead, in November 1871.

Tour Highlights

• Experience wild chimpanzees in their natural environment
• Boat trip on the second deepest and longest freshwater lake in the world
• Enjoy the beach and the evening starry sky above Lake Tanganyika
• Take a brief look at the history of the city of Kigoma and the village of Ujiji

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Dar es Salaam Airport – Kigoma Town

Scheduled flight to Kigoma. On arrival meet & greet and transfer to your accommodation. After lunch, free time and later a sightseeing tour of Kigoma and a visit to the village of Ujiji. Visit the terminus of the "Kigoma Railway Station" of the Central Line Train from the German colonial era and the Kaiser House" that was built for the German Emperor. In the tiny town of Ujiji we visit the stone monument with the offshoots of the original mango trees, under which the two explorers Henry Stanley and Dr. David Livingstone met, and the adjacent "Livingstone Memorial Museum".

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Imperial Hotel (budget), Kigoma Hill Top Hotel (mid-range)

Day 2: Kigoma Town – Gombe Stream National Park

After breakfast, departure for the Gombe Stream Nationa Park by boat along Lake Tanganyika. Lunch at the Lodge. If time permits, you can proceed with chimpanzee tracking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Gombe Rest House (budget) or Gombe Cottage / Gombe Forest Lodge (luxury)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Kakombe Waterfalls

After breakfast, chimpanzee tracking and if time permits climb to Kakombe Waterfalls in Gombe Stream National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Gombe Rest House (budget) or Gombe Cottage / Gombe Forest Lodge (luxury)

Day 4: Gombe Stream National Park – Kigoma Town – Dar es Salaam

After breakfast, transfer by boat and vehicle to Kigoma airport for your scheduled flight to Dar es Salaam. On the way lunch in Kigoma town. No accommodation at that day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Best Travel Time

• Tracking chimpanzees in Gombe national park is possible all year round. However, there is a better chance of finding them quickly towards the end of the dry season, which lasts from July to October, as they tend to be on the lower slopes. In the rainy season, it can take three to four hours to find them. The wet season is from November to April.
• The only private lodge in the park is closed from March to April.

Inclusions

• Schedule flights Dar es Salaam/Kigoma/Dar es Salaam
• Transfer by car from the Airport to the hotel / hotel to the boat and from the boat to the Airport as well as during the sightseeing tour in Kigoma and Ujiji.
• Boat transfer Kigoma/Gombe/Kigoma
• All accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary or as agreed. N. B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availability at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
• Professional English-speaking Tour Guide
• Park Entrance & museum fees
• Chimpanzee Tracking & climb to Kakombe Waterfalls in Gombe if time permits
• Airport Tax and Aviation Safety Fee
• Drinking water during walking safaris

Exclusions

• International/national flights and visa fees
• Extras, personal expenses i.e. soft- and alcoholic drinks, telephone, souvenirs, laundry etc.
• Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurance
• Flying doctor rescue services
• Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park entrance fees
• Tips to the driver & guide
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions
• Optional activities not outlined on the itinerary

Optional Add-ons

• Visit of a fishing village near Gombe N. P. for an extra cost
• A shorter stay is possible
• Lake Tanganyika offers the possibility for diving. Please talk to us!
• Additional accommodation before and after the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
• Extension of the stay or additional program possible / or have a look at our other offers

Important Notes

• The minimum age to take part in the chimpanzee tracking in Gombe Stream National Park it is 15 years.
• We offer discounted prices for children.
• Usually our tours require a minimum of 2 persons to run. Single travelers can join a tour or ask us for a

What to Bring

• Lightweight neutral-colored clothing
• Warm layer for mornings and evenings
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera and binoculars
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Personal medication
• Travel documents
• Insect repellent