GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK

Gombe the smallest of Tanzania’s national parks, is a fragile remnant of chimpanzee habitat, a thin strip of ancient forest set in mountains cut with steep valleys clinging to the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The chimps sip the streams tumbling into the lake while, at night the lanterns of hundreds of small wooden boats light the horizon like a sprawling city. You can meet the stars of the world’s most famous chimpanzee community, made famous by the pioneering  British researcher, Jane Goodall, whose years of constant obersavation since 1960 have made this the longest study of its kind.

Gombe is a place of personalities. Chimpanzees are as individually unique  as humans and no scientific expertise is required to distinguish the different characters in this cast – their repertoire of pants, hoots, grunts and screams defining the celebrities the powerbrokers, the supporting roles.

Perhaps you will see a flicker of understanding when you look into a chimp’s eyes, assessing you in return. Sharing more than 95% of our genes, it’s a look of recognition from our closest animal relative.

The majority of the park’s mammals are primates – most of them forest species. Likely to be seen in addition to the famous chimpanzees, are the colourful red-tail and blue monkeys. Carnivores are a rarity in the forest, making Gombe a haven for walking safaris.