Tourist attractions in Gombe Stream National Park : Gombe Stream National Park is one of the least visited National Parks in Tanzania and one of the only two destinations where you can go for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Tanzania. Gombe Stream National Park, situated in the western Kigoma Region, Tanzania, is located 10 miles (20 km) north of Kigoma, accessible only by boat. More so, its located along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe is home to a wide range of primate species that live in the Miombo woodlands and forests. The park was gazetted in 1968 with an area of 56 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania.
The park is home to over 150 chimpanzees which were studied by Jane Goodall during her chimpanzee research in Tanzania. The research done by the renowned scientist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall also showed the importance of conserving this remaining habitat which is a home of the closely related creatures to human beings; the chimpanzees. Because of her research, many chimpanzees were saved and habituated, which led to the introduction of the chimpanzee trekking exercises in their natural habitat.
The different primate species that are found in Gombe National Park include chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, and diadem monkeys, among others. It is also home to other wildlife species and including bushbucks, leopards, barbets, vultures and buffaloes among others.
Tourist attraction in Gombe Stream National Park
Chimpanzees
The most renowned attraction in Gombe Stream National Park is undoubtedly its resident population of the wild chimpanzees. This park is historically significant as it was the site of jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research in the 1960s, which shed light on chimpanzees’ behavior and social structures. Chimpanzee which shares 98% of human gene are easily seen living in social communities of several dozens. During your chimpanzee trekking tour, you will have the chance to observe these incredible primates hugging, beating and kissing as human do. These animals allure the park thus making it an ideal place to visit especially chimp lovers.
Animals
Besides the chimpanzees, 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.
Birdlife
Gombe Stream National Park is a home to over 200 different bird species, making it one of the best birding destinations in the Tanzania. Some of the bird species you may sight in Gombe’s forest includes Pied Kingfisher, Common Hoopoe, Speckled Mousebird, Crowned Hornbill, Common Barn Owl, African Fish Eagle, African Green Pigeon, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, African Palm Swift, Yellowbill, Jacobin Cuckoo, White-browed Scrub Robin, White-browed Robin Chat, Red-capped Robin Chat, Collared Palm Thrush, Willow Warbler, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Amethyst Starling, Common Bulbul, Slender-billed Greenbul, 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.
Other bird species you may also spot while on your birdwatching tour here includes, Red-eyed Dove, African Paradise-flycatcher, White-necked Raven, Broad-billed Roller ,Fork-tailed Drongo, Tropical Boubou, Black-throated Wattle-eye, African Broadbill, Common Kestrel, Little Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, Crested Barbet, Green-backed Woodpecker, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Giant Kingfisher , African Firefinch, Green-backed Twinspot, Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu, Red-headed Bluebill, Southern Red Bishop, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Spectacled Weaver, Collared Sunbird, Green-throated Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Plain Greenbul, Yellow-throated Greenbul, White-headed Saw-wing, Angolan Swallow and Woodland Kingfisher mong others.
Stunning scenery
Gombe Stream National Park is characterized by its diverse ecosystems, which ranges from lush tropical rainforest to steep hillsides and grassy valleys. This variety supports an incredible array of flora and fauna, making its have for biodiversity. The park’s forests are rich ancient trees, vibrant understory plants, and counter less species of Fungai and insects that play crucial roles in the ecosystem. This stunning scenery offers a clear view of mountains of rift escarpments falling westwards in the lake are magnificent. The stunning terrain and valleys provide tourist with attractive landscape. The pristine waters created by Mkenke and Kakombe rivers leads to gushing over craggy rocks 25 feet plume that roaring into a pool of water. A visit to Kakombe and Mkenke waterfall is a truly rewarding experience.
Pristine Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is a stunning pristine lake bordering Gombe stream National Park. Lake Tanganyika is the is situated within the Albertine rift, the western branch of the east African rift, and is confined by the mountainous walls of the valley. It is the longest and deepest lake in Africa, the second deepest lake in the world with depth of 1,447m and a width 70km from east to west. It is also the world’s longest freshwater lake with length of 675kms. Its crystal-clear waters are teeming with life including over 300 species of fish most of them being endemic the ornamental cichlid. More so the cultural significance of Lake Tanganyika, intertwined with the livelihood of the local communities, adds depth to the experience. visitors can engage with local fishermen and learn about traditional fishing practices, enhancing their connection to the region’s culture and history.
Waterfalls
Gombe Stream National Park is home to a couple of waterfalls, with the major Kakombe waterfalls being the most notable. These beautiful falls cascades down the side of the thicky wooded Rift Valley escarpment, the falls are incredibly lovely and tumbling hundreds of feet down lushly carpeted rock faces.
