The smallest of Tanzania's National Parks, covering an area of only 52 sq. kms, Gombe and its chimps have been made famous by the ground-breaking work of the British primatologist Jane Goodall. The chimpanzees are definitely the main attraction and watching them go about their daily lives in their natural environment is an experience not to be missed.

Lying on the shores of Africa's deepest and longest freshwater lake, Tanganyika, Gombe is a thin strip of lakeshore forest set among steep valleys and mountains. The Park is dissected by 13 steep-sided valleys carved out by swift-flowing streams running from east to west. The altitude varies from 773m at the lake shore to over 1,500m at the top of the escarpment; the variation in altitude and variety of habitats makes the Park one of the most rewarding places for observing flora and fauna. From Jane's Peak you can see an astounding view of the entire park area and Kakombe Waterfalls.

Gombe’s beauty is breathtaking, a park without roads, where you can walk and experience nature with all your senses, in its pristine manner. The diverse evergreen riverine forests are home to the Park’s famous chimps which have been habituated to human presence. The most visible of Gombe’s other mammals are also primates. These include vervet monkeys, red-tail and blue monkeys, baboons and red colobus. Over 230 bird species have been recorded here including barbets, starlings, sunbirds, crowned eagles, kingfishers and the palm-nut vultures; along with 250 species of butterflies.

The best time to visit the park is in the dry season - July to October and late December as chimps don’t roam far in the wet season.