If you’re planning to leave Bujumbura, Burundi, and are eager to explore new horizons, consider heading straight to Kigoma, Tanzania. Kigoma offers two main attractions: 1️⃣ Exploring the stunning Lake Tanganyika, and 2️⃣ Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Nearby, both Gombe and Mahale National Parks provide incredible opportunities for chimpanzee tracking. However, Gombe is smaller, making it easier to spot these fascinating creatures. A single day can be enough to enjoy a scenic lake tour and an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience. As the site of Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research, Gombe is a must-visit for any primate enthusiast!
For solo travelers looking to track chimpanzees in Gombe Park, here’s a handy guide. You can choose to stay at the park’s lodge or, if you prefer a touch of luxury, check out Mbali Lodge, though it is located outside the park. Surprisingly, solo chimpanzee tracking in Tanzania is more affordable and straightforward than you might expect, with costs comparable to those in Kibale, Uganda.
🗺️ Route:
Start your adventure from TANAPA Gombe Boat Dock in Kigoma, Tanzania. Take a scenic 1.5-hour boat ride to the Gombe Park ticket office and huts. From there, embark on a 3-4 hour hike to track the chimpanzees. Finally, return to Kigoma by boat, which takes about 2 hours.
You have the option of completing this as a day trip, returning to Kigoma the same day, or staying overnight in Gombe Park and enjoying two hikes. I opted for the overnight stay. To ensure a smooth experience, book your chimpanzee tracking in advance through the official Gombe staff, who will arrange a park guide and boat captain, eliminating the need to join a group.
💰 Costs:
👉🏻 For two days and one night, the total cost is 602k shillings / $227.
(Sharing the boat and guide fees with another traveler can help reduce costs. If going solo for a day trip, it would be around $225.)
👉🏻 Detailed breakdown:
– Boat fuel: $60+
– Overnight boat fee: $24 (can be shared)
– Guide hiking fee: $24 per session (can be shared)
– Boat service fee: $24 per person
– Gombe entrance fee: $118 (valid for 24 hours)
– Gombe accommodation: $24 (twin room)
If you opt for a day trip and return to Kigoma, you can save on accommodation and overnight boat fees.
🦧 Rainforest Hiking and Chimpanzee Tracking:
During your two-day, one-night stay in Gombe, you can go on up to three hikes. On the first day, arrive before noon and start your first hike in the afternoon. The next day, you can hike once in the morning and once in the afternoon, ensuring you leave by boat before your 24-hour ticket expires.
Due to heavy rain, we arrived at 3 PM on the first afternoon and took a short, 1.5-hour hike to the 🚩 waterfall and the mountain top, covering 3.6 kilometers. Along the way, we encountered a family of baboons and the historic Jane’s feeding hut, which was discontinued in 2000. We spent the night at the base camp.
The following morning, we set off at 8 AM, taking a 15-minute boat ride, followed by a 2-kilometer, 1-hour hike into the lush rainforest. Our experienced chimpanzee tracking guide had already located the chimps and radioed our hiking guide, ensuring a seamless and thrilling encounter.
Despite the rain, we were fortunate enough to spot over a dozen chimpanzees from the F family! The group included an alpha male, a mother chimp cradling her baby, and chimps of all ages. To make up for the long hike, our guide generously allowed us to stay for nearly three hours. During this time, we had the incredible opportunity to observe the entire breakfast routine of these fascinating creatures.
Afterward, we hiked back 1.5 kilometers, which took about 45 minutes, to reach the boat. The journey back to Kigoma lasted two hours.
[Stay tuned for more H] Experience sharing:
1⃣️-4⃣️ See P3
5⃣️ It is highly recommended to visit Gombe during the dry season, as the lake waves can be quite high and the rainforest paths become slippery during the rainy season. For those planning to track chimpanzees in the rainforest, it is essential to wear non-slip, waterproof hiking shoes, long socks, and long pants and sleeves. Additionally, always carry a reliable raincoat to stay dry and comfortable.
