About This Journey
The 5 Day Gombe and Lake Tanganyika Adventure combines chimpanzee trekking, tropical forest exploration and beautiful Lake Tanganyika experiences in western Tanzania. Gombe National Park is famous for its wild chimpanzees and the pioneering research begun by Jane Goodall in 1960.
The journey begins in Kigoma and continues by boat across Lake Tanganyika to Gombe National Park. Visitors explore the park mainly on foot with authorized guides and rangers while searching for chimpanzees, monkeys, birds and other forest wildlife.
Along with chimpanzee trekking, Gombe offers hiking, lake excursions and snorkeling, making this itinerary ideal for travelers who want to combine wildlife with time on Lake Tanganyika.
With comfortable accommodation, guided activities and scenic boat journeys, this 5 Day Gombe and Lake Tanganyika Adventure provides a relaxed way to experience one of Tanzania's most distinctive destinations.
What Makes This Trip Special
Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe National Park
Scenic Lake Tanganyika boat transfers
Guided tropical forest walks
Visit Kakombe Waterfall
Lake Tanganyika excursion
Snorkeling where conditions and park regulations allow
Birdwatching and primate viewing
See red colobus, red tailed monkeys and olive baboons
Learn about Gombe's chimpanzee research history
Relax along the Lake Tanganyika shoreline
Professional park guides and rangers
Accommodation and meals throughout the safari
A Look at the Journey
Itinerary
Your 5 Day Gombe and Lake Tanganyika Adventure begins in Kigoma.
After meeting your guide, transfer to the lakeshore and board a boat for Gombe National Park. TANAPA notes that boat travel from Kigoma to Gombe normally takes around two to three hours depending on the boat used.
On arrival, complete park registration and transfer to your accommodation.
Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short lakeshore or forest walk before dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, begin your first guided chimpanzee trekking experience.
Accompanied by a park ranger, walk through the forest while searching for chimpanzees and other primates.
Gombe’s chimpanzees move freely, so trekking distance varies daily. The park requires forest activities to be conducted under ranger or park guide supervision.
After the chimpanzee trek, continue to Kakombe Waterfall and enjoy the surrounding forest before returning to your accommodation.
Dinner and overnight in Gombe.
After breakfast, return to the forest for another opportunity to search for chimpanzees.
A second trekking day allows you to explore different forest areas and observe more of Gombe’s wildlife.
Besides chimpanzees, Gombe supports red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and vervet monkeys.
The afternoon can include birdwatching, photography or additional guided forest exploration.
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing Lake Tanganyika adventure.
Depending on weather, park regulations and your confirmed arrangements, activities can include a scenic boat trip, lakeshore exploration, birdwatching, photography and time relaxing beside the lake.
Lake Tanganyika forms an important part of Gombe’s landscape, with steep forested slopes descending directly to its sandy shoreline.
Return to your accommodation in Gombe for your final dinner and overnight inside the park.
After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Gombe National Park.
Depending on the departure schedule, you may take a short lakeshore walk or relax before boarding the boat.
You will then travel 16 km from Gombe National Park to Kigoma by lake route.
The boat journey normally takes around two to three hours depending on weather, lake conditions and the type of boat used.
On arrival in Kigoma, transfer to your hotel or lodge.
Lunch and dinner are included on Day 5, and you will spend the night in Kigoma before continuing your onward journey the following day.
Included & Excluded
Included
- Gombe National Park fees
- Chimpanzee trekking arrangements
- Professional park ranger or guide
- Return boat transfers between Kigoma and Gombe
- Guided forest walks
- Kakombe Waterfall visit
- Lake Tanganyika activities as specified
- Accommodation in Gombe
- Accommodation in Kigoma on Day 5
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water during activities
- Local transfers in Kigoma
- Government taxes and service charges
Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flights to and from Kigoma unless specified
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides, rangers and boat crew
- Laundry
- Optional activities not mentioned
- Additional accommodation
- Personal trekking equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour lasts five days and includes Gombe National Park, chimpanzee trekking and Lake Tanganyika activities.
For this itinerary, the Day 5 return distance is 16 km by lake route from Gombe to Kigoma
The boat journey normally takes approximately 2–3 hours, depending on the boat and lake conditions.
No. Chimpanzees are wild animals and move naturally through the forest.
Yes. Day 5 includes overnight accommodation at a hotel or lodge in Kigoma.
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on Day 5.
You may see red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and various forest birds.
Yes. Reasonable fitness is recommended because chimpanzee trekking can involve steep and uneven forest trails
