Wildlife Safari 8-Day Chimpanzee Safari: Gombe Stream & Mahale Mountains
Dar Es Salaam · Kigoma (2) · Gombe Stream (2) · Mahale Mountains (2)
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Kigoma
Kigoma Lake Tanganyika: Kigoma is a port town on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in far western Tanzania.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeJune to October is the dry season, with calmer lake conditions and the...
- Trips1 sample trip
- Destinations nearbyGombe National Park, Gombe Stream
Kigoma Lake Tanganyika: what to know
Kigoma is a port town on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in far western Tanzania. It is the end of the railway line from Dar es Salaam and the departure point for the country's two chimpanzee parks, Gombe Stream and the Mahale Mountains, both of which are reached by boat along the lake.
What to know before you go
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Lake Tanganyika
The lake is about 670 km long, the longest freshwater lake in the world, and at roughly 1,470 m the second deepest after Baikal. Its water is clear and warm, and it holds hundreds of species of cichlid fish found nowhere else. Several beaches near Kigoma are good for swimming and snorkelling.
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Ujiji and Livingstone
A few kilometres south is Ujiji, one of the oldest towns in the region and a terminus of the 19th-century caravan route from the coast. It was here, in November 1871, that Henry Morton Stanley found the missing missionary-explorer David Livingstone. A memorial and small museum mark the spot.
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Getting to Kigoma
Scheduled flights connect Kigoma with Dar es Salaam. From the town, a motorboat reaches Gombe in one to two hours. Mahale is much further south and is usually reached by light aircraft to the Mahale airstrip followed by a boat transfer. The historic lake steamer MV Liemba, built in 1913, has long served the route south when in operation.
When to visit Kigoma
June to October is the dry season, with calmer lake conditions and the easiest chimpanzee trekking in both Gombe and Mahale. November to April is wetter and more humid, with good birding.
Where It Is
Kigoma and the other places we travel to nearby.
Kigoma
Trips that include Kigoma
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Wildlife Safari Plan Your Safari to Kigoma
Our team in Arusha answers in English, French, German and Spanish.
Questions about Kigoma
How do you get to Kigoma?
By scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam, which is the practical option for most travellers. There is also a long-distance train from Dar es Salaam that takes around two days.
What is Kigoma known for?
It is the gateway to Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains national parks, and neighbouring Ujiji is where Stanley met Livingstone in 1871.
Can you swim in Lake Tanganyika?
Yes, at recommended beaches. Ask locally about safe spots, as hippos and crocodiles are present in some areas, mainly near river mouths.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
Plan this trip
