Gombe Stream National Park protects 35 km² of steep, forested valleys rising from the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma Region. Established in 1968, it is the smallest of Tanzania's national parks and is accessible only by boat from Kigoma town. The park's chimpanzee population, studied continuously since 1960, is its main draw. Trekking with a guide through the valleys usually leads to one of the habituated communities, and time with the animals is limited to an hour to reduce disturbance. Leopards are the main predator in the park, and hippos, small antelope and around 200 bird species are also present. The forest is a mosaic of evergreen valley woodland and grassy ridges, and a walk to the Kakombe waterfall or to Jane's Peak gives views across the lake to the Congo. Accommodation is limited to a lodge and TANAPA bandas on the lakeshore, so numbers are small and advance booking is needed.
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