5 Days

Gombe National Park – Flying Safari

5 Days Gombe National Park – Flying Safari

Experience the wild heart of western Tanzania on an unforgettable 5-days Gombe National Park Flying Safari. Fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, then cross Lake Tanganyika into Gombe’s pristine forest. Experience remarkable chimpanzee tracking, scenic boat safaris, Kakombe Waterfalls, and peaceful lakeside relaxation. Stay at an exclusive luxury lodge while exploring the legendary destination associated with Jane Goodall’s pioneering research.

Enjoy an unforgettable Gombe chimpanzee safari featuring forest trekking, scenic lake adventures, wildlife encounters, and peaceful luxury accommodation.

Duration

5 Days

Starting Price

On Request

Country

Tanzania

Destination

Gombe National Park

Trip Highlights

Fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, then cross Lake Tanganyika into the remote Gombe wilderness.
Track wild chimpanzees through lush forests with experienced guides and expert trackers.
Visit the spectacular Kakombe Waterfalls surrounded by pristine forest.
Enjoy a scenic boat safari across Lake Tanganyika.
Explore Gombe’s legendary forests and diverse primate habitats.
Relax at an exclusive lakeside luxury lodge overlooking Lake Tanganyika.
Discover the historic wilderness where Jane Goodall began pioneering chimpanzee research.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Kigoma – Boat to Gombe – Afternoon at Leisure

Kigoma – Boat to Gombe – Afternoon at Leisure

Your Gombe adventure begins with a scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, a historic lakeside town on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika.

Upon arrival at Kigoma Airport, you will be met by your representative for a warm meet-and-greet before continuing by road to Kibirizi Port.

From the port, board a private or scheduled boat transfer across the beautiful waters of Lake Tanganyika towards Gombe National Park.

The boat journey provides a spectacular introduction to this remote part of Tanzania. Lake Tanganyika is one of the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lakes, surrounded by dramatic mountains and lush forest.

Upon arrival at Gombe, continue to Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, your luxury home for the next four nights.

Check in and enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge. Take time to unwind after your journey, enjoy the spectacular lake views or simply immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings.

Dinner is served at the lodge, followed by your first night beside Lake Tanganyika.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Activities: Flight, meet and greet, road transfer, boat transfer and relaxation

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Gombe National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking in Gombe National Park

Wake early and prepare for your first chimpanzee-tracking experience in Gombe National Park.

After breakfast, meet your experienced park guide and trackers before entering the forest on foot.

Gombe is internationally famous for the pioneering research of Dr. Jane Goodall, who began studying wild chimpanzees here in 1960. The park remains one of the most important places in Africa for observing these remarkable primates in their natural environment.

Your trackers will follow signs of recent chimpanzee activity, including calls, nests, feeding remains and footprints. Once a chimpanzee group is located, you will have the opportunity to observe their behaviour from a respectful distance.

Chimpanzees are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the experience of walking through Gombe’s ancient forest is itself unforgettable.

The forest is also home to other primates, including red-tailed and blue monkeys, as well as numerous bird species, butterflies and other wildlife.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a well-earned rest.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge, enjoying the lake views or taking advantage of the peaceful surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Kakombe Waterfalls

Chimpanzee Tracking & Kakombe Waterfalls

After breakfast, set out for another chimpanzee-tracking excursion in the Gombe forest.

A second tracking experience provides another opportunity to locate chimpanzees and observe their fascinating social behaviour. Because the animals move freely through the forest, every trek is different.

Your guide will help you understand the ecology of Gombe while pointing out signs of chimpanzees and other forest wildlife. You may see chimpanzees feeding, grooming, playing or travelling through the forest canopy.

After your chimpanzee experience, continue through the forest towards Kakombe Waterfalls, one of Gombe’s most attractive natural features.

The trail to the waterfall takes you deeper into the lush forest, providing opportunities to appreciate the vegetation, birds and smaller creatures that make up the park’s ecosystem.

Spend some time enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the waterfall before returning towards the lodge.

After lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge.

Take in the views across Lake Tanganyika, unwind after the morning’s walking or simply enjoy the tranquillity of this remote location. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking and Kakombe Waterfalls visit

Day 4: Morning Boat Safari on Lake Tanganyika – Afternoon Relaxation

Lake Tanganyika – Afternoon Relaxation

Today offers a change of pace after your forest trekking experiences.

After breakfast, board a boat for a morning boat safari on Lake Tanganyika.

Cruising across the clear waters provides a completely different perspective of Gombe National Park. The forested mountains rise dramatically from the lakeshore, creating a spectacular backdrop as you explore the shoreline and surrounding waters.

The boat safari focuses on the lake’s scenery and wildlife, with opportunities to observe aquatic and birdlife. Depending on the area visited and prevailing conditions, you may encounter hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while the forested shoreline can reveal monkeys and other wildlife.

Your guide will also introduce you to the unique ecology of Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s most remarkable freshwater ecosystems.

Return to the lodge around midday for lunch.

The afternoon is reserved for relaxation. Enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting, take a refreshing swim if conditions permit, read a book or simply relax and enjoy your final afternoon in Gombe.

As evening falls, enjoy dinner overlooking the lake.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Morning boat safari and afternoon relaxation

Day 5: Breakfast – Boat to Kigoma – Flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Kigoma – Flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Enjoy your final breakfast at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, taking in the beautiful views across Lake Tanganyika.

After breakfast, transfer by boat from Gombe National Park back to Kibirizi Port.

Continue by road to Kigoma Airport for your scheduled flight.

Fly from Kigoma to Dar es Salaam, with onward connections to Zanzibar available depending on flight schedules and routing.

Guests continuing to Zanzibar can extend the trip with a relaxing beach holiday, making this an ideal combination of chimpanzee trekking and Indian Ocean leisure.

Your 5-day Gombe National Park flying safari ends upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Breakfast, boat transfer, road transfer and flight

Included & Excluded

Include & Exclude

Scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma
Scheduled return flight from Kigoma to Dar es Salaam, subject to availability
Onward flight arrangements to Zanzibar where applicable and available
Meet-and-greet service at Kigoma Airport
Road transfers between Kigoma Airport and Kibirizi Port
Return boat transfers between Kibirizi Port and Gombe National Park
4 nights' accommodation at Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge
Full board throughout the safari
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified
Chimpanzee-tracking experiences
Professional park guide and tracker services
Visit to Kakombe Waterfalls
Morning boat safari on Lake Tanganyika
Gombe National Park entry and conservation fees applicable to the itinerary
Transfers to and from scheduled activities
Drinking water during safari activities

International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks unless specifically included by the lodge
Laundry and personal services
Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, lodge staff and boat crew
Accommodation before the safari

Lodge Option

Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge

Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge is the principal luxury lodge for exploring Gombe National Park and enjoys a spectacular location overlooking Lake Tanganyika.

The lodge offers a peaceful and comfortable retreat surrounded by forest and lake scenery. Its lakeside setting provides the perfect place to relax after an active day of chimpanzee tracking or forest hiking.

Accommodation is designed to complement the natural environment, creating an intimate connection with the surrounding wilderness while providing the comforts expected from a luxury safari property.

The lodge’s location also makes it an excellent base for exploring Gombe’s famous chimpanzee habitat, visiting Kakombe Waterfalls and enjoying excursions on Lake Tanganyika.

Best for: Chimpanzee tracking, remote wilderness, lake views, nature enthusiasts and adventurous luxury travellers.

Why Choose Gombe National Park?

Gombe is one of Tanzania’s most unique safari destinations. Rather than focusing on the traditional Big Five experience, Gombe offers an intimate encounter with wild chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat.

The park’s association with Jane Goodall gives it an extraordinary place in the history of wildlife research and conservation. Walking through the same forests where decades of chimpanzee research began makes the experience particularly meaningful.

The setting is equally impressive. Gombe’s forested slopes descend towards the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, creating a landscape that combines rainforest, mountains and lakeshore in one remarkable destination.

This safari is ideal for primate enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, nature lovers, adventure travellers and anyone looking for a rare and genuinely off-the-beaten-path Tanzanian experience.

For an extended luxury holiday, this itinerary can be combined with a Zanzibar beach extension or additional time in Dar es Salaam.

5 Days Gombe National Park – Flying Safari

Mid Range

Luxury

Top Luxury

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