|
|
Introducing Gombe Stream National Park
Report Presented by AfricanMecca Tanzania Resource Team
Gombe Stream National Park - Contents Table
Gombe Stream National Park, commonly referred to as Gombe, is located in southwestern Tanzania on the beautiful sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika. The park is located 16 kilometers from the town of Kigoma, and is only accessible by boat service. The park altitude rises from 773 meters at Lake Tanganyika to around 1500 meters at the top of the mountain range. Gombe itself is cushioned between the edges of the western crest of the Great Rift Valley on the east of the park to the west by Lake Tanganyika. To the north and south of the park, securely protecting it are the fishing villages of Mwamgongo and Kasinga, which are only seen if traveling further on to Lake Tanganyika or while entering the park vicinity from the south.
Gombe National Park: History, Community and Personalities
The area around Lake Tanganyika is home to Ha community of Tanzania who traversed the land centuries ago from West Africa and settled on the shores and surrounding areas of Gombe. The area was also visited by the Arab and European explorers each seeking royalty in goods, legitimate or otherwise, and fame for the source of River Nile. The tracks and surrounding areas of Gombe like Ujiji and Kigoma bear the witness of men like Livingstone, Stanley, Burton and Speke, and possibly many others who never made it in the annals of history.
With the end of World War I, and the Tanzania territory under the control of the British, the colonizers started a strong emphasis on preservation. In 1943, Gombe Stream National Reserve was gazetted to preserve the forest vegetation and the chimpanzees along with it. In the 1960's, a common person from England by the name of Jane Goodall, under the encouragement and support from Louis Leakey, came to Gombe to study the evolutionary link between apes and human. As a novice, Jane Goodall faced many challenges when working with chimps, who seemed to be illusive and avoiding. Things changed and one fine day in 1961 Jane Goodall discovered one and only way to entice the Chimps was by feeding them bananas. Jane Goodall continued her interactions with the Chimpanzees by feeding them the bananas in exchange she could move closer to the chimps, allowing her to study the Chimp behaviors up close and personal. Jane Goodall's work received public attention and aided in upgrading Gombe to park status.
Best Time To Visit Gombe National Park For Chimpanzee Safari
Gombe Stream National Park's dry season starts around the mid of May lasting to the mid November with patches of transition time between January and February when rains switch from the short to the longs rains. Long rains start from around the middle of February tapering off by the middle of May. Although the above information is a guideline to the weather pattern, Gombe is accessible at all times of the year.
Getting To Gombe National Park
There are 2 mains ways to get to Gombe National Park. The first is by flying from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, which takes an average of 3 hours. The second way to get to Kigoma is by rail taking at least 2 days to get there. From Kigoma, AfricanMecca guest will travel on relaxing journey via boat while passing fishing villages and other beautiful mountainous regions within southwestern Tanzania.
Why Visit Gombe National Park Located in Southwestern Tanzania?
• Chimp Safari Experience: Gombe provides an opportunity to undertake a chimp viewing and trekking safari in a natural setting.
• Dual Safari Experience: Southwestern Tanzania gives AfricanMecca two chimpanzee experiences within one region with one experience at Gombe and the other at Mahale Mountains National Park. Each of the chimps found in the respective parks display different characteristics.
• Historical and Cultural Tour: On the way to Gombe stop over at Ujiji, and view the actual location where Dr. Livingstone and Stanley met along with other places of interest.
• Beach Vacation: Gombe can be selected as beach vacation destination where AfricanMecca guests have a whole beach stretch to themselves Guests can spend their days relaxing and enjoying time off. Activities available fishing, snorkeling, sun bathing, and relaxation.
• Discerning Tourism: Gombe and Southwestern Tanzania region is an area where most visitors to East Africa often overlook making it a wonderful opportunity for those guests who want a personalized and authentic experience to view this part of the country.
• Accommodation Fairly Priced: Accommodations at Gombe National Park cater to all personalities making it a must visit park for any person visiting Tanzania. The park has two accommodations allowing guests to select a program that fits their budget.
Next Section - Gombe Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
View Gombe Lodges & Camps
Book Gombe Lodges & Camps
|