Safari Activities to do in Gombe Stream National Park

Safari Activities to do in Gombe Stream National Park : If you are looking for a truly wild destination in Tanzania which such significant representation of the few magnificent remaining great apes known as chimpanzees and other endemic species in fragile of lush forest and steep river valley rising towards the rift valley escarpments, Gombe stream national park is an ideal place to visit as one can conduct different activities such as chimpanzee tracking, bait cruise, hiking and birding among other.

Gombe National Park is the smallest park in the east Tanzanian national park system. It protects a remote patch of steep, forested valleys. The valleys rise into mountains covered with alpine grass and bamboo. The park covers many habitats; home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and, most famously, one of the last chimpanzee populations in this part of East Africa. Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania is home to the Kasakela Group, a clan of chimpanzees. These are the most studied chimpanzees in the world, and have given us insight into our own human nature. Gombe Stream National Park lies on Lake Tanganyika, the second-deepest and second-largest (by volume) freshwater lake on Earth. It is also the world’s longest freshwater lake. It forms a natural boundary between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it the basis of the local economy because it’s rich in fish. However, this article emphases on the safari activities at  Gombe Stream National Park such as;

Chimpanzee tracking Gombe Stream National Park

Chimpanzee tracking is the main highlight for a safari in Gombe Stream National Park. The park is home to 150 chimpanzees which Internationally renowned for Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee behavioural research. This exciting activity involves tracking through the lush jungles of the Gombe forest on foot in search for these captivating creatures in their natural habitat.  Once they are located, tourists get to spend at least an hour with the primates. The activity starts early in the morning at 7:00 am with a briefing about the rules and regulations of tracking the chimps as well as expectation while in the forest. After the briefing, trekkers will be separated into groups of 6, and with 1 armed guide. Tracking chimpanzees in Gombe can go on for hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees, and after locating them, each group spends an hour with the primates.

 During your chimpanzee trekking, you will also be able to spot other wildlife species that dwell in the forest, which include beachcomber, olive baboon, Anubis baboon, red colobus, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey, diadems, snakes, leopards, bushpigs and various colorful birds and flowering plants. Once these fascinating creatures are allocated, you will have the chance to observe how they do with their daily activities such as playing, grooming, foraging for food ad playing among others. you will also have a chance to have captivating photographs and many more in the wild.

Hiking Jane’s Goodall peak

Hiking Jane’s Goodall peak is a must -do activity when you visit Gombe stream national park. The hike can be quite challenging but rewards you with the astonishing views of the forest and opportunity to spot chimpanzees. The park is named after jane Goodall, the famous scientists who studied chimpanzee here, and it honors the important work being done to protect the animals and the area.

The hike itself is a real workout taking you up and down through thick rainforest and over rough ground. Once you get to the top, you’ll be treated with the stunning viewed of the sea of green, the vast Lake Tanganyika and the forest where the chimpanzees live.

Walking safari

A walking safari in Gombe Stream National Park lets you truly feel connected to nature. You’ll explore on foot with a guide, getting a much closer look, hearing the sounds, and even smelling the scents of the park. It’s a sensory journey that lets you really be present in the moment. You’ll stroll through different areas like forests, riversides, and open grasslands. During your walking safari, you’ll likely see animals like monkeys and birds, beautiful butterflies, and many types of plants and flowers. These walks also encourage you to be more aware of your surroundings and to slow down and appreciate the little things.

 Birding tours 

Birding in Gombe Stream National Park is another exciting activity to do while on a safari in the park. The park is home to over 200 bird species, the park offers an enchanting sanctuary for both casual bird lovers and dedicated ornithologists. During your birding tours, you’ll spot different bird species such as Speckled Mousebird, Crowned Hornbill, Common Barn Owl, African Fish Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Little Sparrowhawk, African Harrier Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture, Osprey, White-winged Tern, Long-tailed Cormorant, African Darter, Great Cormorant,  African Sacred Ibis, Striated Heron, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, Marabou, Red-eyed Dove, African Green Pigeon, Blue-spotted Wood Dove among others.

 Exploring historical centre

Exploring historical centre is also another safari activity you can joined to your safari when visiting Gombe. The park is home to one of the exciting historical sites such as Dr. Livingstone historical site is situated nearby Ujiji and is the site where Henry. you can also explore the Dr. David Livingstone to known their history and the significant in date back.

Boat trips

This is an amazing experience you can embark while on a Tanzania safari in Gombe Stream National Park. boat trips in the park are done on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.  You can choose a luxury boat or an ordinary speedboat, depending on your budget. This activity allows you to feel Lake Tanganyika’s breeze while savoring the culture of local communities as well as different aquatic species dwelling at the park’s shores.

 Wildlife viewing

Gombe Stream National Park is a true primatology marvel with 8 primate species found in the park. The species include olive baboons, blue monkey, red tailed monkey, vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys and bush babies. It also protects 35 mammal species including the bushbuck, bush pigs, duiker, civets, white tailed mongoose and checkered elephant shrew making it a superb place to travel. During your wildlife viewing tour, you’ll have the chance to encounter this incredible wildlife roaming in their natural habitat.

 How to get Gombe Stream National Park

This park can be reached by boat from Kigoma town. Drive, schedule or charter a flight from Dar es salaam, Mwanza or arusha, or take a slow or fast train from Dar es salaam, or ferry along the shore of Lake Tanganyika from Burundi or Zambia to Kigoma. To reach Gombe you must travel by boat from Kigoma as there is no road to the park. Take a local tax or charter boat from Kigoma to Gombe (2-3 hours). You can plan for an overnight stay or for a day trip and return to Kigoma town in a single day.

Accommodation options in Gombe Stream National Park

The park has a wide range of accommodation establishments that are lodges and camps offering accommodation to travelers visiting the park for a Tanzania safari, accommodation establishments in Gombe Stream National Park are of various status that are luxury, midrange and budge such as; Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, Lake Tanganyika Hotel, Coast View Resort, Mwitongo Garden Hotel, Janda Lodge, Sunset Vista Hotel, One Point Lodge, Gombe Executive Lodge, Nzimano Hotel, Triple J. Resort, Zanzibar Lodge, Malagarasi Hotel, Mwanga Lodge and Kigoma Hilltop Hotel among others while on Safari Activities to do in Gombe Stream National Park