MBALI MBALI GOMBE – GOME STREAM NATIONAL PARK

Gombe Lodge lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania set in the cool shade of ancient forest trees just a few steps away from the lake.  It may be a small lodge, but it offers complete privacy in a simple lakeside setting convenient for the main draw – chimpanzee trekking.

Gombe Stream National Park is a thin strip of ancient mountain forest bordering the second deepest lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika. The park was made world-famous for the primate studies conducted by pioneering British researcher Jane Goodall.

Gombe Lodge offers a truly remarkable opportunity to experience chimpanzees and nature in one of the most remote and untouched parks in Tanzania.

LOCATION

The lodge is located in Gombe Stream National Park in western Tanzania.

Access by boat: From Kigoma Hilltop Hotel’s private beach to Gombe Forest Lodge on our Dhow boat (1h30minutes).

Flights: The nearest airstrip is Kigoma Airport which receives daily commercial flights from Dar es Salaam (around 3 hours’ flight).  Alternatively, Mbali Mbali Shared Charter flies in and out of Arusha or the Northern Circuit destinations

CAMP

The 7 Forest tents are named after the chimpanzees who are familiar to the researchers from the Jane Goodall Institute. Each tent has twin or double traditional Zanzibari beds, an ensuite bathroom and furnished private balcony.

The Forest tents are set on wooden platforms beneath mango groves on the lakeshore – the seven elegantly furnished luxury tents of Gombe Forest Lodge were designed to have every comfort while minimizing disturbance and impact on the stunning environment.

The main area is simply furnished and there is both an outdoor dining and sitting area on the veranda and an indoor dining area.  Deck chairs are positioned with superb views over Lake Tanganyika on the sandy shoreline.

ACTIVITIES

Chimpanzee Trekking – the minimum participating age for chimpanzee trekking as determined by TANAPA is 15 years old. Chimp Viewing is limited to a maximum of 6 people per group for 1 hour at a time.

Chimpanzee trekking is conducted on day of departure and day of arrival only if time allows subject to arrival/departure schedules and chimps location. Maximum viewing time is one hour per day. If the chimps are moving and viewing is interrupted, your time will be paused until they have been relocated, but trekking is not permitted for longer than 3 hours after the initial chimp sighting, even if the one hour total has not been reached. This is to minimize disturbance to the animals and to the forest.

Gombe is the smallest of Tanzania’s national parks, roughly just about 60 square kms. It is home to chimpanzees which are habituated to human visitors and the park is made famous by the pioneering work of Jane Goodall who founded a behavioural research programme that now stands as the longest-running study of its kind in the world. Most visitors are enthusiastic about the biography and want to see the chimp families and places she talks about in her book i.e. her house, the research centre, and Janes Peak. There is also a waterfall where you can hike to.

Water Activities – once in Gombe you can enjoy kayaking, boat safaris and swimming in the lake.

Visit a neighbouring fishing village, Mwamgongo, for a cultural tour – visit the village with our guide to understand fishing activities, palm oil extractions, embroidery, boat making, visit the chief’s palace and experience the traditional Ha Dance. This village is 3km away from Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge.

Birding and Forest Walk – enjoy a forest walk in Gombe Stream National Park and learn about the flora and fauna on your trail from your expert guide.

MBALI MBALI GOMBE LODGE IS CLOSED MARCH, APRIL AND MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES – DO NOTE THAT THE MINIMUM PARTICIPATING AGE FOR CHIMPANZEE TREKKING AS DETERMINED BY TANZANIA NATIONAL PARK REGULATIONS IS 15 YEARS OLD