3-Day Gombe Chimpanzee Trekking from Kigoma
Follow the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream, the forest on Lake Tanganyika where Jane Goodall began her research in 1960.
About this safari
Follow the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream, the forest on Lake Tanganyika where Jane Goodall began her research in 1960. Reached only by boat from Kigoma, it is one of the most intimate primate experiences in Africa.
This 3 days private safari starts in Kigoma and takes you to Chimpanzee trekking with a Gombe ranger, Boat trip along the shore of Lake Tanganyika, Kakombe waterfall and the forest trails, Swimming in the clear lake. Your own vehicle and guide set the pace, and every stay and transfer is confirmed around your dates.
Safari snapshot
A quick look at the route, day by day.
| Day | Place | Highlights | Hotel options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Kigoma and boat to Gombe | Game drives with your private guide | Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest house |
| Day 2 | Chimpanzee trekking | Game drives with your private guide | Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest house |
| Day 3 | Back to Kigoma | Game drives with your private guide | Departure |
Ways to customise this trip
- Add a night in the bush, a cultural visit or a balloon flight
- Upgrade your stays or finish with beach time in Zanzibar
Route
- Day 1Gombe Stream
- Day 2Gombe Stream
- Day 3Kigoma
Day by day
Here is how the days run. We can adjust the route around your dates and the pace you want.
1Day 1Fly to Kigoma and boat to GombeGombe Forest Lodge or park rest house / Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Kigoma on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, where we meet you for the boat ride north along the lakeshore to Gombe Stream — about two hours past fishing villages and forested hills. Settle into your accommodation by the beach and watch the sun set over the Congo mountains across the lake. Zanzibar is the time to slow down: white sand, warm Indian Ocean water and long lunches by the sea. Swim, rest, or ask us to arrange snorkelling, a dhow sunset cruise, a spice tour or a walk in Stone Town. The night is spent at Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest house, with dinner by the sea if you wish. Lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Gombe Stream
- Accommodation
- Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest house
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
2Day 2Chimpanzee trekkingGombe Forest Lodge or park rest house / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set off in the morning with a ranger to find the chimpanzee community — sometimes a short walk, sometimes several hours up steep forest valleys. Time with the chimps is usually limited to an hour once they are found. In the afternoon walk to Kakombe waterfall, look for baboons and red colobus, or swim in the lake. Materuni is a Chagga village on the green lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. A local guide leads a walk through banana and coffee plots to a waterfall about 80 metres high, then shows you how coffee is roasted and ground by hand, often to a traditional song — and you taste the result. A packed lunch is eaten out in the park, often within sight of grazing herds. You return to Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest house as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Gombe Stream
- Accommodation
- Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest house
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3Day 3Back to KigomaBreakfast
An optional early walk, then the boat back to Kigoma for your flight onward. In the afternoon your guide drives you back for your drop-off — your hotel, the airport for your onward flight, or a connection to Zanzibar. We can add an extra night or a beach stay if you would like more time.
- Main stop
- Kigoma
- Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you stay on this trip. We can move the comfort level up or down when we plan your dates.
Days 1, 2Gombe Forest Lodge or park rest houseTour rates
Your price depends on your dates, group size and the stays you choose. We confirm it in writing once we have checked availability.
Prices are per person and assume shared rooms. Season, park fees, group size, flights and lodge availability all affect the final quote.
Get my exact quoteWhat’s included
Included
- Gombe Stream park and chimpanzee trekking fees
- Return boat transfer Kigoma – Gombe
- Accommodation as listed, or similar
- Meals as listed and drinking water
- Kigoma airport transfers
Not included
- Flights to and from Kigoma (we book them for you)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa fees
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Read guideFrequently asked questions
Can this 3 days itinerary be changed?
Yes. We can review your dates, daily pace, room preferences and interests, then build a specific proposal. Changes to flights, activities or park nights may affect cost and availability.
Which accommodation will I stay in?
Your proposal will name the properties and room categories for each night. Any stays shown here are planning options and remain subject to availability; alternative properties are agreed before confirmation.
What wildlife will we see?
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and the animals themselves. Your guide plans around local conditions, but particular species, migration movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Can I change the route and accommodation?
Yes. The published routes are starting points. Tell us your dates, interests and preferred comfort level so we can adjust nights, transfers and activities before quoting.
What determines the final price?
The travel season, number of travellers sharing a vehicle, park fees, room arrangements, lodge availability and domestic flights all affect cost. Your written proposal will identify inclusions and optional extras.
Can the safari finish in Zanzibar?
A mainland safari can connect with Zanzibar by a separately arranged domestic flight. Leave enough time for the transfer and confirm baggage allowances before booking flights.
When is the best time to do this safari?
Wildlife can be seen all year. June to October is dry, with animals gathering near water. January to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May are the long rains: greener, quieter and often better value. We match the parks and camps to the month you travel.
How many days do I need?
Two or three days suit Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Four to six days let you add the Serengeti without rushing, and seven or more give time for extra parks, a cultural visit or the coast. Fewer long drives usually means a better trip.
Is the safari private?
Our tailor-made safaris are private: your own vehicle and guide, and a daily pace set around your group. Shared departures can sometimes be arranged for solo travellers — ask us and we’ll explain the options.
What vehicle will we travel in?
Game drives are in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography. Your proposal confirms the vehicle and seating for your group size.
Is a safari suitable for children?
Yes, with the right planning. We keep drives shorter, choose family-friendly rooms and build in rest time. Some camps and activities have minimum ages, so please share each child’s age when you enquire.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Most lodges and camps can prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other meals with notice. Tell us about allergies or requirements when you enquire and we’ll pass them to every property on your route.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Requirements depend on your nationality and recent travel, and a yellow fever certificate may be needed if you arrive from certain countries. Malaria precautions are generally advised. Please check with a travel health clinic before you go.
What should I budget for tips?
Tipping is not compulsory but is customary for guides and lodge staff. We include current guidance with your proposal so you can plan for it in advance.
Will there be Wi-Fi and charging?
Many lodges and camps offer charging points and some Wi-Fi, but the connection can be slow or limited to main areas in remote parks. A spare power bank is useful on game drives.
How far in advance should I book?
For July to October and the holiday season, three to nine months ahead gives the best choice of camps. Shorter notice is often possible — send us your dates and we’ll check availability.
Photography credits
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, resized and converted to WebP. Display crops adapt to the screen.
- A chimpanzee in the forest at Gombe Stream, Tanzania — AmyAbroad, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- A chimpanzee mother and baby at Gombe Stream, Tanzania — AmyAbroad, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A few details.
A good beginning.
Tell us who is coming and what you would love to find here. We’ll send back a route you can read, question and make your own.
- Planned around your dates and interests
- Midrange or luxury, at your pace
- A personal conversation with our local team