Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe National Park, also sometimes called Gombe Stream National Park, is primarily for those who want to get a little off the beaten track and see chimpanzees. This is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania and is famous for the work of Jane Goodall. This British researcher arrived in 1960 to study wild chimpanzees and her work turned into what would become the longest-running behavioral research program of its kind in the world. Guided walks take visitors into the forest to observe chimps in the wild. Many species of primates and mammals live in the park. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the tropical forest, including barbets, starlings, sunbirds, crowned eagles, kingfishers and the palm-nut vulture. Hiking and swimming are other popular activities; a trail leads into the forest to a waterfall in the valley.