Gombe Stream - Chimpanzee Extension

Day 1: Arrive in Kigoma

Spend the day in Kigoma, which is the largest town on Lake Tanganyika, founded in 1915 when the railway reached the lake. It is an easy-going cosmopolitan town, built around a mango-tree-lined avenue that climbs uphill from the lake.

Visit Ujuji, which is one of Africa’s oldest market villages — 19th century Arab trading post which still shows strong Swahili influences that ordinarily one would not find in this part of Tanzania. Stanley and Livingstone met in Ujuji in 1872. It is here where the famous phrase “Doctor Livingstone I presume?” was first uttered.

A plaque marks where the meeting took place; the adjoining museum displays some inept and absurdly-captioned paintings of Livingstone. While Ujuji is no longer a thriving market town, it is nevertheless a large fishing village steeped in history and you may also be able to watch some boat builders practising their age old tradition. Overnight in Kigoma. (D)

Day 2: Departure for Gombe by Boat

We transfer by boat to Gombe camp this morning. After lunch we journey into the forest to find the chimps. On your guided walks in Gombe, the chimps are invariably reasonably close to the camp, at a feeding station. On occasion, it may be necessary to go deeper into the forest while trekking for several hours. The forest reaches right down to the beach where you should see plenty of birds, butterflies and other primates. There is a significant baboon population, which have been the subject of researchers since 1967. Other common primates include Vervet, Blue, Redtail and Colobus monkeys. Over 200 bird species have been recorded. Overnight in Gombe Camp. (BLD)

Day 3: Gombe National Park — Kakombe Waterfalls

This morning, again go trekking to find the chimpanzees accompanied by a national parks guide, followed by a climb up to the beautiful Kakombe waterfalls. You will also have the opportunity to climb up to Jane’s Peak. Lunch in camp. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Gombe Camp. (BLD)

Day 4: Gombe National Park — Jane’s Peak

Today is the last opportunity to see the chimps in their natural habitat. Lunch in camp. Depart by boat back to Kigoma. Overnight in Kigoma. (BLD)

Day 5: Departure

Today, transfer to Kigoma airport for our flights homebound. (B)

Please note:
The trekking distances and terrain will vary depending on where the chimps happen to be. Parks Officials hold the right to refuse admittance to Gombe for chimp trekking should anyone be sick in any way, for example, with cold, flu, or any other possibly contagious diseases.