Gombe Stream National Park
The major attraction of the Gombe Stream National Park is the chimpanzees, made famous by Jane Goodall in 1960 when she established the area as a chimpanzee research station.
Despite its tiny size of only 52 square km, it is a magnificent, dense tropical forest rising steeply from Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. Although the chimpanzees are the Park's star attraction they are not its only one. There are many other species, including baboon, vervet monkey, red colobus monkey, blue monkey and bush babies. Gombe also hosts a wide variety of bird species.
In the lush shade of ancient forest trees just off the shores of Lake Tanganyika, lies the small yet intimate Gombe Forest Lodge, offering complete privacy by catering for just 14 guests at a time.
This is a lodge totally at ease with its surroundings with an absolutely delightful atmosphere. The cosy dining area, just a couple of steps off the beach, is built on a wooden platform with an extended outside deck shaded by the Forest. A small library with a selection of books and novels are also available. After a long day sundowners are served around the fire with the dazzling night sky, which is complemented by the lanterns of hundreds of small wooden fishing boats, bobbing on the lake like a sprawling city.
Spacious safari tents, offering comfort and simplicity, are elevated on timber platforms with a private deck overlooking the tranquil forest. Carefully positioned under the shade of huge mango trees around the main lodge, minimizing the disturbance and impact on such a stunning environment, each tent features a writing desk and chair, as well as en-suite facilities with showers.
Tracking the chimps of Gombe is a magical experience. The guide's eyes pick out last night's nests - shadowy clumps high in a gallery of trees crowding the sky. Scraps of half-eaten fruit and fresh dung become valuable clues, leading deeper into the forest.
Whilst you spend the morning chimpanzee trekking, afternoons are determined only by how energetic you feel - such as swimming in the crystal clear waters of the lake, snorkelling or simply relaxing on the beach. There are 2 spectacular waterfalls in the area - Kakombe, which is an easy half hour walk and Mkenke, which is a little further for the more adventurous.
