The Chimpanzees

 Apart from gorillas, the chimps are an endangered species of primates. In Tanzania, they highly concentrated in Gombe and Mahale. They are also found in Kibale National Park in Uganda and a few population is found in Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda. However, a chimp trekking safari in Gombe is more rewarding since the park is very accessible on foot.

With Tanzania Distance Adventures, you will get the chance to spend just one hour while studying the behavior of our closer cousins. This once-in-a-lifetime experience requires a permit from the authorities.

The chimps are not solitary. They live in social groups of up to 20 individuals, which may have originated from common ancestors. The head of the group is a single male, and is responsible for protecting the group, leading the group to sufficient food and water, and mating. The females on the other hand take care of young ones. Chimpanzees show very close connection between a mother and a child. A mother stays with her offspring for a long time until it becomes independent. The males are responsible for family safety. They defend their territories from enemies and other primates.

Chimpanzees are very intelligent such that they make simple tools such as poles, stones, and spears, which can help them in defense, hunting, and digging roots, which they feed on. They are however, very friendly to humans though you need to cautious when you are approaching them.  

During the rainy season, Gombe becomes full of foods such as fruits and roots. Therefore, the chimps becomes less migratory since the park is full of food. You will also witness huge groups of chimps during this time. However, in the dry season they scatter through the park, especially to areas with water and/or food. Young chimps show respect to the old ones. Older chimps are much respected in the group. Fights rarely happen and is always between junior chimps and even between adults. Several chimps have been habituated thanks to the efforts of Jane Goodall, the British primatologist who spent more than a decade studying the behavior of the chimpanzees in Gombe. She came up with books that provide information about the chimps.

Other things to do in Gombe National Park

Apart from chimp trekking, Tanzania Distance Adventures organizes other Africa safaris. They include canoeing, bird-watching, game viewing, boat cruises, and swimming.

Canoeing & boat trips:  Get on a canoe and sail from the shore to the interior of second deepest lake. You will discover many things about Lake Tanganyika including its crystal-free water that hosts several species of fish and other aquatic species. You can also go for a boat trip. Sport-fishing is a wonderful to try while you are on your boat trip.

Game viewing: Gombe is home to other primate and wildlife species worth a game ride. On a game ride, you may be lucky to spot leopards, impalas, buffalos, waterbucks, antelopes, bushbucks, and other primates such as red-tailed monkey, olive baboons, red colobus monkey, and vervet monkey.

Bird watching: With over 200 bird species, Gombe offers some beautiful scenes of birds such as the African fish eagle, kingfisher, starling, palm-nut vulture, Livingstone’s turaco, paradise flycatcher, Forbes’ plover, sunbird, and many others.

If you want to have an aesthetic experience to Gombe National Park, Tanzania Distance Adventures can help you achieve that. We are a team of dedicated natives, and not just a safari company sharing what we earn with the community. Our safaris are carbon-free and we protect the environment while not reducing the comfort during your safari. Book a safari with us.