GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK

The park has 20 square miles (52 km) and is situated along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika 10 miles (16 km) north of Kigoma in remote northwestern Tanzania. This park covers a thin strip of land 3 miles (5 km) wide and stretches for 10 miles (16 km) along Lake Tanganyika. A mountain range ascends steeply from the lake at an altitude of 2,235 feet (681 m) to form part of the eastern wall of the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, rising to 5,000 feet (4,524m) The Experience of seeing chimpanzee in the wild is by far the major attraction of this park. Other primates include red colobus monkey, blue monkey and baboon, other wildlife includes buffalo, Defassa waterbuck and leopard. Chimpanzees can usually be found around research center and are quite habituated to humans. Two hours morning and afternoon hike into the forest searching for chimps can be arranged. There is Kakombe waterfall is worth a visit and also a nice walk along the lake shore northward from the guest’s house. Guests can reach the park by water tax (about 3 hours) from Ujiji or Kigoma.