Located near the town of Kigoma around Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania. With an area of just 56 km², the park may be small in size, but it is rich in wildlife discoveries! And for good reason—it is one of the reserves with the most significant chimpanzee population. Recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the park has been and remains a major research hub for chimpanzee studies. Read on to learn more…

Jane Goodall's First Steps with Chimpanzees

Founded in 1968, Gombe Stream National Park gained its fame thanks to primatologist Jane Goodall. It was in this remote and difficult-to-reach area that the young woman undertook the most significant behavioral study of chimpanzees. And it's safe to say that thanks to her work, determination, and engagement with local communities that the park is today protected and designated as a biosphere reserve. Jane Goodall settled there in 1960 and made incredible discoveries. She was able to observe chimpanzees making and using tools, revealing to the world just how close chimpanzees are to humans. It's said they share nearly 99% of human DNA!

In 1965, the Gombe Stream research center was established. The goal? To continue the research initiated by Dr. Jane Goodall. This led to incredible new discoveries about chimpanzees, such as the fact that females leave their groups when they reach reproductive age. Today, the center continues to monitor the evolution of chimpanzee families in the park and contributes to its protection through numerous awareness campaigns and environmental education initiatives, as well as close collaboration with neighboring villages.

Observing Chimpanzees in the Park

Have you always dreamed of seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitat? There's no better place than Gombe Stream National Park to encounter these great apes during an English-speaking guided trek. Accustomed to human presence and not easily frightened, chimpanzees go about their daily activities while remaining easily approachable. That said, for obvious safety, hygiene, and protection reasons, it is forbidden to make direct contact with them. Indeed, human presence, while tolerated, is strictly controlled. Chimpanzees must not have prolonged contact with humans, and encounters must be limited to one hour per day. Your guide will provide you with all the rules of conduct to follow: maintain a distance of about ten meters from the primates, always let them have the right of way, avoid making direct eye contact, and so on.

During your trek to encounter chimpanzees, your guide can take you to the famous Jane Goodall's Peak. This is where the primatologist set up her observation site and succeeded in creating an incredible closeness with the chimpanzees. In other words, this is where the entire adventure began!

Good to know: given the sometimes challenging trek conditions, climate, and altitude of the park (ranging from 770 to 1,500 meters), treks are recommended for people in good physical condition. We also recommend staying at least two days if you want to increase your chances of spotting chimpanzees. If trekking intimidates you, know that it's also possible to visit the park by safari! In any case, you can stay on-site in a lodge, guesthouse, or campground.

Florine Dergelet