​Getting There – Gombe NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Map of Tanzania Map of Tanzania
Tanzania Map

The only way to get to Gombe National Park is by boat from Kigoma town. Depending on your itinerary, you might book your international flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha town or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam.

In most cases, your tour operator will pick you up from the airport or, if not, you can take a taxi. Your tour operator will also book your onward domestic flight to Kigoma Airport (TKQ) and will charter a private motorboat to Gombe. The boat trip takes 1 to 2 hours.

It is also possible to take a public motorboat (known as a lake taxi) from Kigoma to the park. This trip takes about 4 hours.

10 Gombe Chimp Tours

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

Charter flights are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. Domestic flights to Kigoma can be booked with Air Tanzania.

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Tanzania page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.

Want To Visit Gombe NP?

10 Gombe Chimp Tours