Gombe Stream National Park is the smallest national park in Tanzania, covering an area of only 52 square kilometers. It is a narrow strip of land where chimpanzees can often be seen standing on steep slopes and in low-lying river valleys, with Lake Tanganyika embracing the northern bank of the valley.

The chimpanzees in Gombe are accustomed to human visitors, and it was Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering research team that made the chimpanzees living here world-famous. Since the establishment of the research team for behavioral investigation and conservation planning in 1960, they have been at the forefront of this research. Chimpanzees share 98% of their genes with humans, and in their “calling out to friends” screams, one can naturally discern who is the socialite, who excels at wielding power, and who is a minor character. Perhaps when you gaze into the eyes of a chimpanzee, you may see a glint of understanding, and in turn, it is also scrutinizing you. Such expressions can even transcend the barriers between species and convey a sense of recognition with humans.

Aside from chimpanzees, the most common mammals in Gombe Stream National Park are primates. People have been studying them since the 1960s and found that olive baboons are the most common, often seen roaming in groups along the shoreline. Red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys, on the other hand, have always regarded the forest as their natural canopy, with vervet monkeys frequently falling prey to chimpanzee hunting.

Gombe Stream National Park

Reasons to Visit: Tanzania’s most famous chimpanzee sanctuary

Continent of the Attraction: Africa

Country/Region of the Attraction: Tanzania

Province/State of the Attraction: Kigoma Region