Yes, it's expensive to visit and awkward to get to, but this results in fewer visitors and makes Gombe Stream a peaceful and uncrowded place and hopefully will help protect and preserve these magnificent primates. I chose to stay 1 night at one of the four or so lakeside tents ($59 pp) but cheaper rest house accommodation was also available. The tent was great, with a comfortable bed, white bedlinen, hot shower, toilet, deck with chairs, power outlet (no power cuts during my stay). There were no bugs and I didn't drop down the anti-mozzie net. I did one long trek in the morning with Ahadi who was a fantastic guide. We saw two families, followed them first on a path, then through the bush and were able to stay with and observe them for quite a long time (until they decided to take off) on a few occasions. It was pure joy watching the chimps, especially the youngsters and babies! They are so fascinating! The trek was everything I hoped to get from this trip. Very lucky with the weather - sunny and dry - even though it rains now almost every day. The trails were not really muddy (it rained the day before) or too slippery. The scenery was fantastic. I organised the trip on my own: booked return Dar to Kigoma flights with Air Tansania, hotel in Kigoma for one night and researched the park fees in advance (these I believe are available on the TANAPA website, also blogs and forums. They haven't changed in a while.) What was not clear was how to arrange a boat transfer from Kigoma and its price with prices mentioned on the internet to be anywhere from $150 to $300 for the return journey. In the end, I managed to contact the Gombe visitor center in Kigoma and the super helpful Iddi aranged a TANAPA boat and a transfer from the airport to the TANAPA boat dock via WhatsApp. The costs are as follows: approx. $90 cash for the fuel (I paid TZS) payable to the boat captain, and $23.6 per boat + $23.6 per night waiting time to the park by card when you arrive in the park. The boat was very nice and the ride to the park very scenic and took approx. 1 hour 15 minutes one way. Tipping (park guide, chimp finder / checker, boat captain) is expected, appreciated and well-deserved - all the park staff were great and a pleasure to deal with. Even though Air Tanzania cancelled one of my flights and messed my park visit plans, it all worked very well for me in the end, and I had a superb experience in the park.

Gombe National Park was an incredible experience. We stayed for two days and one night there. The park ranger Mr. Saanane was very cordial and got our entry permits sorted quickly. We had a guide assigned who took us around on both days. We were lucky to have sighted chimpanzees within 15 minutes of arriving in the park. On the second morning, we hiked across the island to see several breathtaking views (Jane's Peak) and refreshed ourselves at a waterfall, besides sighting more chimps (this time they weren't closeby and were on the trees). We stayed in a luxury tent which was on the lakeside and had great amenities (there are cheaper options such as guesthouse rooms also available). Our trip was arranged by Roaring Tours and Safaris, who were very good and affordable overall. Amos, our chef who accompanied us, was a creative genius with his culinary skills!

Gombe was an incredible park. Loads of Chimpanzees to meet very close to the park gate, we were able to get super close to the wild animals. Knowledgeable guide who knew exactly where we found the chimps and knew them all by name. We also met the Vice President of Tanzania who happened to be visiting that day! Made selfies & nice chat with him. 😃

Magical 4 day trip to the edge of Lake Tanganyika in 2008 to see the chimps ! Had an awesome time and beauty of this park is magnificent. Such a great camp with stunning sunsets !

$100 park entry fee (per person) $20 per night in the dorm (per person) $20 per chimp trek morning or afternoon (per group) plus tip. $10 per meal there $15 for the public boat (per person) Or $100 for the park boat (per group) $20 boat waiting fee (overnight per group) If you go with a group, price becomes affordable. We were the only ones there. Incredible experience.

It was one of the best experience of my whole life. We were two. We made a day trip and it was enough for us. We left Kigoma at 7am with a private boat (around 140$ for the day). We arrived after 2 hours at Gombe National park. People there were very welcoming. We paid entrance fees 118$ per person plus guide fee 23,6$ for the group (max 6 people). You don't have the choice to pay fees by card and there is 1,5% additional taxes. It could be interesting to go to Gombe National park office in Kigoma to prepared the trip. We didn't, but if you don't have any contact it will be easier. Paulo the ranger who guided us there give us a lot of explanations during the trek, we learned a lot. After only two hours of trekking in a stunning, but sometimes challenging, landscape, we met three chimps. A mother and her children. It was incredible to see them eating, jumping and relaxing on the trees. We stayed one hour close to them (it is the maximum you can stay with chimps, to a 10 meters distance). The trek was not really hard, but you have to take good hiking shoes and water. We also saw waterfalls and Jane's peak. After the trek, we did go down for lunch. The meal is provided for 10$ per person. Try the local fish it is delicious ! We left the park around 3pm because the weather was not the best, but you can stay for others activities like swimming, kayaking, snorkelling...

Stupid I was attacked by a monkey do not go.

It's a paradise, for those willing to pay the price. This place is famous thanks to Jane Goodall who still comes every year and continues her research on chimpanzees that she habituated to humans. The best time to come is November/ December when you can see chimps in groups, other times it's harder to track them, IT'S NOT GUARANTEED TO SEE ANY, and if you lucky you spot 2 or three. Logistics : we didn't find much info apart from private boat for around 150$ However there are 2 other options to get there we tried both of them. We took public boat that leaves everyday except Sunday from port at 12h30. Cost was around 1$. Boat is shaded, life jackets were provided, time to Gombe was about 3h. It was ok, because there were good conditions, no waves. Entrance to the park 100$ without VAT! Tracking fee per group 20$ Accomodation 21$ (cheapest option, even if you have your own tent the price is the same) room is average, water pressure terrible Meals 5$ The best thing about this place is that there was noone just baboons and it has a great access to the beach with crystal clear water. Next day after the track we took public boat again leaving around 3pm to Mwagongo (30 min ride for about 0,25$) this time it was a bumpy ride, hard to board the boat, got completely wet :D We camped in the village ( the leaders of the village ended up persuading us to camp inside the village hall cause they were worried about our safety- apparently noone ever camped there before) it was completely free of charge, in the village we bought food ( rive beans chapati ) and water . Next day we hiked for 4h+ (uphill) to Kwa Bibi area from there we took a boda to a nearest road and from there public mini bus back to Kigoma, which was even cheaper than taking the boat again back to Kigoma ( the boat leaves at 7am) THIS IS PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST WAY TO VISIT GOMBE :)

Gombe Park is very much worth a visit! We were the only two guests during our visit at the end of September and found plenty of chimps at close distance. At first it might seem as an expensive trip, but with some planning of your own it may turn out pretty affordable. Entry is $118 per 24hrs, ($100 excl. 18% VAT), guide costs $23.6 (per group) and the 'official' boat is priced at $354. If you're on a budget however, it is possible to find a 'private boat' (which the guy at the Gombe Information Centre in Kigoma already offered us at $200). We still found this rather expensive, so we went to the Kibizi harbour ('bandari') to find a boat ourselves. Upon entering the harbour and asking for a boat, we were immediately led to the right person. He asked for $200 at first, but after some bargaining we got it down to $100 (knowing basics of Swahili does help a lot, as he barely spoke English, but you might find a translater at the harbor). Our trip for two to Gombe cost $360 in total, thanks to the cheap boat. You could consider taking a Lake Taxi for $3 single, but they don't go on Sundays and (as we've heard) depart from Kigoma just once daily at 12:30pm, take 4 hours (without shade) and pass Gombe on the way back at 8:30 in the morning. As entry fee is calculated per 24h, you're cheaper off taking a boat at $100 instead of having to stay in the park for an extra 24 hours. Cheapest overnight stay option (don't know about its conditions) is at $23.6. We went to Gombe early in the morning, leaving Kibizi at 6am. The boat trip took 2 hours; just as long as the official boat would take (unless you take the speedboat, 25min at some $1400). Upon arrival in Gombe, we got our guide and had quite a trip up the hills. Apparently the chimps are at the end of the dry season (end September/October) farther away; in Feb/March/April they may be right down at the beach. Trying not to disturb the chimps too much, you are allowed to stay 1hr at each group of chimps, so if you're lucky you might find another group. As we were just the only two visitors of the day, we were allowed to stay a bit longer at our group. We did not come across another group however.

The trek to Jane's Peak is brutal. Get fit and ready for it. It's not long (about 45 mins) but it IS steep in places. The chimp trek was amazing! We met and hang out with 21yr old Zeus. He was so chill. Accommodations are basic but really comfortable. I recommend the tented rooms. The food was also pretty good.

For the price you pay things could be better, while we were there the generator wasn't working so we had to sacrifice lights, hot water, and charging our phones. But the price of course didn't change a shilling. When you go there you will see chimps and it's an incredible opportunity but be warned it's not for anyone. The chimps can be anywhere, from 15 minutes away to 3 hours away, and they don't make trails where they go either.

the sounds of birds, chimpanzees and baboons in the night make for a very relaxing night! The beach with crystal clear water supplements the noon swimming routine! The cold waterfall, public boats ferrying people to and from places around the shore make up for a Perfect place! 👌

I watched the movie Jane(2017) and came to know about this park where Jane had her research on Chimpanzee. I gathered lots of knowledge on Chimpanzee who look like human being. In the stone age, human beings were like Chimpanzee as the movie claims so it tried to figure out how the human beings used to behave then. I wish I could visit the park. Yea, I am from Bangladesh.

Beautiful forest and you can get sooo close to chimps!

It is amazing how amazing those creatures are and now they might be extinct come on people.(i'm only eleven years old)

chimps are the best

(Translated by Google) It's pretty cool (Original) Ni pazuri saana

Great visit in a special environment. We are so happy to have the privilege to visit our ancestors and that they allow us to observe them. Iti was an impressive visit and somehow shocking as we felt as intruders in the intimacy of a big family.

(Translated by Google) This park, which is accessed after two hours of navigation on Lake Tanganika, is really very beautiful. It is the smallest park in Tanzania: a small habitat for chimpanzees who are now used to the sight of humans. They were made famous by the pioneering study of Jane Goodall, who in 1960 began a lengthy behavioral research project that is still considered among the most important in the field today. You cannot get too close to the chimpanzees, 10 meters is the allowed distance, you must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth and the observation allowed is for a maximum of 1 hour. The park is landscaped very beautiful. It is also worth climbing up to the waterfall. (Original) Questo Parco, da cui si accede dopo due ore di navigazione sul lago Tanganika, è veramente molto bello. E' il parco più piccolo della Tanzania: un piccolo habitat per gli scimpanzé che ormai sono abituati alla vista dell'uomo. Sono stati resi famosi dal pioneristico studio di Jane Goodall, che nel 1960 iniziò un lungo progetto di ricerca comportamentale che è ancor oggi considerato tra i più importanti nel settore. Non ci si può avvicinare più di tanto agli scimpanzé, 10 metri è la distanza consentita, occorre indossare una mascherina che copra naso e bocca e l'osservazione consentita è per max 1 ora. Il parco paesaggisticamente è molto bello. Vale la pena inerpicarsi anche fino alla cascata.

Best national park I ever visited!

Visiting Gombe Stream National Park was a long wished dream come true. Wandering in the footsteps of Jane Goodall, the fauna and flora in Gombe is truly magical. Besides seeing the chimps in their natural habitat we have never seen so many shades of green and the sound of nature was one of the best "concerts" ever heard. We stayed for four days and organized our trip with Gombe Wild Chimp Safari (also absolute recommendation!). When we arrived after a wonderful 1.30h boat ride we were greeted by our guide Burcardi, who was just fantastic. He spoke very good English and was very knowledge about the chimps, Gombe National Park and the history of it all. Besides we had a lot of fun with him (he knows all the chimps by name)! We decided to stay in Kasakelas Tented Camps directly in the National Park versus staying outside in the more luxury resort. The tents are spotless with private shower and bathrooms - what more to wish for in these remote areas! The views from the tent and the verandah on Lake Tanganyika are amazing and in the tents you can hear the sound of nature all the time. Sundowners over the mountains of Democratic Republic of Congo are just heaven. Overall we clearly recommend to stay in Kasakela as you get more feel for the National Park, the research team and local staff (plus you support the National Park directly). Tourism in Gombe is managed responsibly and supported by knowledge of the famous Gombe Stream Research Center by the Jane Goodall Institute. Guides will do their best to provide you with ample chimp time which is safe for and respectful of the chimps at the same time (please keep distance of 10 meters). What a peaceful and uncrowded place—hopefully the National Park team will manage to continue to protect and preserve this natural wonder.

(Translated by Google) Speaking of Tanzania Gombe, it is the habitat of chimpanzees. And it ’s Ms. Jane-Gudour, the leading chimpanzee researcher. The chimpanzee's first child (born December 16, 1964 to sunset May 7, 2007) at the Kyoto City Zoo visited and observed the chimpanzee's customs. By the way, I was impressed to meet a chimpanzee fifi (female) in the Gombe mountain stream, which was mentioned in the MBS TV `` Wild Kingdom ''. It was. (Original) タンザニア・ゴンベといえば、チンパンジー達の生息地域。そして、チンパンジー研究の第一人者・ジェーン=グドゥール女史ですね。京都市動物園にいたチンパンジーの初子(1964年12月16日生まれ～2007年5月7日没)に、チンパンジーの習慣を憶えさせる為に訪れて観察をしてましたね。ちなみに、MBSテレビ「野生の王国」でも取り挙げられていた、ここゴンベ渓流のチンパンジー・フィフィ(雌)と遭遇する事が出来て、感激しましたね✨テレビで観たままの、温厚なお母ちゃんチンパンジーでしたね。

Very nice place to visti. I had a fun trip although getting a boat from town to kigoma was expensive $250 the trip was amazing and the chimps were very friendly

(Translated by Google) A place that shows us the importance of nature (Original) Un loc care ne arata importanta naturii

Excellent visit

this is the best place and enjoyable in kigoma region....i have experienced unique hiking,,,while in the top you can see the good view of lake Tanganyika

I enjoyed the scene where we come across with a group of chimpanzees 😀 it was the best moment to see how some of these chimpanzees can actually learn to minimal interact with humans. It's nice place to visit

Incredible place. Beautiful area, and you get to trek into the jungle and hang out with chimpanzees! I took a train in and then a bus out from Kigoma. Be careful if taking the bus, as in 2010 the road was very dangerous and some busses had been attacked, and the travellers robbed and killed. Hopefully the situation is better now.

Beautiful National Park with nice beach at the camp and great Forest for hiking and searching for chimpanzee.

(Translated by Google) Two important points this park has: historical and present. . Historic: Here Jean Godall conducted his research on chimpanzees. . Present: it is possible to see chimpanzees today. . Jean Godall is the woman who knew how to establish a deep empathic connection with chimpanzees. In other words: if you want to know someone for real, you must first be reliable and love him. This is a very different attitude to wanting to meet someone denigrating him, making him an object or even killing him. . We were deeply moved when we saw her videos being loved by chimpanzees. . We are also excited by the hope that Godall has in the new generations to build a world based on respect and harmonious coexistence with all living beings and with the planet. . We recommend looking at their website before visiting the Gombe National Park. This will enrich your awareness and the value of your presence in it. (Original) Dos puntos importantes tiene este parque:histórico y presente. . Histórico: aquí realizó jean godall su investigación sobre los chimpancés. . Presente: es posible ver chimpancés hoy. . Jean Godall es la mujer que supo establecer una profunda conexión empatica con los chimpancés. En otras palabras: si quieres conocer a alguien de verdad primero debes ser confiable y amarle. Esta es una actitud muy diferente a querer conocer a alguien denigrandole, convirtiéndolo en objeto o incluso matándole. . Nos emocionamos profundamente cuando vimos sus videos siendo amada por chimpancés. . También nos emociona la esperanza que Godall tiene en las nuevas generaciones para construir un mundo fundamentado en el respeto y la convivencia armónica con todos los seres vivientes y con el planeta. . Recomendamos mirar su pagina web antes de visitar el Parque Nacional de Gombe. Así enriquecerá su consciencia y el valor de su presencia en él.

Great

It is the best attraction at Kigoma, mostly containing gorrilla and other herbivores

I went again and loved it! Landon Murphy is wrong!

The boat trip to the place is wonderful. The park is a place of peace and tranquility for these magnificent animals to whom we have done so much harm. I just hope it lasts forever.

Its the nice place

Cost is $118 per person. $23.50 for guide/trekker per group. They charge a foreign transaction fee will all cards. THEY ONLY ACCEPT CARDS. We reserved our boat from Jakobsen beach and guesthouse for the day for $210 you can keep the boat overnight for $240. At the end of our trek our ranger asked if we had a tip for the trekker (who we ahd not seen till this moment) we were asked to give a tip we said ok but would have to be done on card or takin out of his tip if cash. He told us it was a $20 tip then it went to a $20 fee for both him and the trekker was customary... Don't let them scam or you or make you feel bad. Tip what you think the person's time is worth not what is being told for you to tip. All in all this place was spectacular and would recommend anyone go TIP: if you are older have them start at the bottom and trek up DNT let them start at the top and trek down. it's a lot of wear and tear on your body for those who aren't used to the heat, altitude, or physical activity.

Great place good time with the Chimpanzee in the Park

Love it lake tanganyika

Very beautiful environment at Gombe mountain

(Translated by Google) Idyllic place for anyone who loves nature and especially primates. Although the treckings are hard the reward deserves the effort. (Original) Lugar idílico para cualquier persona amante de la naturaleza y en especial de los primates. Aunque los treckings son duros la recompensa merece el esfuerzo.

Amaising place

i have never been there.

If you ever want to go to Gombe make sure its sleeping route... Nicer for camping with friends! Day trip wont be enough/satisfying

(Translated by Google) The best monke !!! Incredible Bananas !! (Original) Самые лучшие monke!!! Невероятные бананы!!

Beautiful view, great hike and a memorable place

Quite central community(habituated ones), aggressive south and north communities.

It is cool

Come to Kigoma region in Tanzania visit gombe National Park you will see Golilas and monkeys come you will enjoying a lots

Nice

Best place ever

Loved it

Gombe National Park, is the smallest Park in Tanzania, it's about 52ksq, it is located about 2 hours boat drive from Kigoma town, western side of Tanzania in Lake Tanganyika. Gombe trip can be combined with Other southern circuit parks like Katavi and Ruaha.

Very attractive!!

Great adventure

Awesome

Tango Tanzania

(Translated by Google) Really it's very beautiful (Original) Vraiment c'est très beau

(Translated by Google) Iconic Tanzanian National Park (Original) Emblemático parque nacional tanzano

(Translated by Google) SAFE ENVIRONMENT ENTERTAINMENT WORLD. (Original) HIFADHI MAZINGIRA UIFURAHIE DUNIA.

(Translated by Google) You can get there only by water, from Kigoma 2-2.5 hours walk, we took the boat through the hotel, cost 210, boat for 8 people. In the park, the trekking took us 4 hours, we saw a chimpanzee family, consisting of about 20 individuals. It took two hours to climb, an hour for chimpanzees and an hour to descend. Cost for 2 (adult and teenager 16 years old) - $ 236, first they took $ 260 in cash, then returned and asked to pay less by card. (Original) Добраться можно только по воде, от Кигомы 2-2,5 часа ходу, мы брали лодку через отель, стоимость 210, лодка на 8 человек. В парке трекинг, у нас занял 4 часа, видели семью шимпанзе, состоящую примерно из 20 особей. Два часа занял подъем, час у шимпанзе и час спуск. Стоимость на 2 (взрослый и подросток 16 лет) - 236 долларов, сначала взяли наличными 260 долларов, потом вернули и попросили оплатить картой меньше.

We arrived in Gombe national park, using a boat on Tanganyika lake from Kigoma. We stayed 2 days in Gombe National Park in January 2019. It is a famous chimps reserve. At arrival, we visited have Jane Goodall’s old chimp feeding station and we saw Kakombe beautiful waterfall. Unfortunately, we were very unlucky regarding chimps tracking. We spent 2 days, walking in the forest, using muddy and muddy paths on steepy hills and valleys. We heard the chimps and olive baboons, but we failed to see the chimps!!! The chimp tracking is less organized than in Kibale forest (in Uganda), decreasing your chance to see the chimps…