Gombe Stream National Park

Nestled on the steep, forested shores of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania, Gombe Stream National Park is a small park with an immense scientific legacy. It is most famous as the site where primatologist Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking, long-term study of wild chimpanzees in 1960, transforming our understanding of the animal kingdom.

The park’s hilly terrain, carved by steep valleys and blanketed by grasslands, woodlands, and tropical rainforest, supports one of Africa’s highest concentrations of primates. Its most celebrated residents are the chimpanzees of the Kasakela community, whose complex social lives have been documented for over six decades. They share the forest with other primates like olive baboons, red colobus, and blue monkeys, as well as over 200 bird species, hippos, and small antelope.

Goodall’s research at Gombe yielded revolutionary discoveries. She was the first to document chimpanzees making and using tools—such as fishing for termites with modified grass stems—a finding that forced science to redefine humanity’s uniqueness. Her work also revealed profound aspects of chimpanzee society, including deep mother-infant bonds, acts of compassion and adoption, cooperative hunting, and even a capacity for violent territorial conflict. Her practice of giving chimpanzees names like David Greybeard and Flo, rather than numbers, highlighted their distinct personalities and emotional lives.

This foundational work continues through the Gombe Stream Research Centre, which now runs the world’s longest continuous study of any wild animal population. Scientists track entire chimpanzee lifespans across generations, providing invaluable data on health, social dynamics, and ecology. This ongoing research is crucial, as the chimpanzees face significant modern threats, primarily infectious diseases and deforestation outside the small park’s boundaries, which isolates their population.

To address these conservation challenges, efforts now focus on the “Greater Gombe Ecosystem.” Through community-led programs, local villages have established forest reserves on their lands, creating vital habitat corridors. This innovative approach aims to balance human needs with wildlife survival, ensuring that the legacy of discovery and protection that began with Jane Goodall endures for future generations.