CHIMPANZEE TREKKING

Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania is a unique experience that offers close encounters with one of the planet’s most fascinating primates in their natural habitats. Here’s a comprehensive overview of both destinations:

Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe National Park, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, is the country’s smallest national park, covering an area of 52 square kilometers. The park features rolling hills, valleys, and lush forests that beautifully line the lake’s coastline. Gombe gained international fame due to the groundbreaking research conducted by Dr. Jane Goodall, who began her studies on chimpanzees in the 1960s, fundamentally changing our understanding of primate behavior and establishing Gombe as a key site for primatological studies.

Chimpanzee Trekking:

• • Trekking Experience: The treks start early in the morning, where visitors are guided into the forest to track one of the families of habituated chimpanzees. The hikes can take anywhere from a few hours to half a day, depending on the chimps’ location.
  • Chimpanzee Families: The chimpanzees here are accustomed to human presence, allowing for closer observation without causing distress to the animals. Visitors often see interactions like grooming, playing, feeding, or foraging.
• Other Wildlife:
  • While Gombe is famous for its chimps, it is also home to other primates such as olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Birdwatchers will also appreciate the rich avian diversity, including kingfishers, fish eagles, and palm-nut vultures.
• Additional Activities:
  • Hiking and Waterfalls: Trekking to places like Kakombe Waterfall adds to the adventure.
  • Lake Tanganyika: After the trek, enjoy swimming, kayaking, or relaxing on the shores of the lake, which is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater lakes.