Where can I see chimpanzees near Kigoma?

Two of Africa's finest chimp parks lie on Lake Tanganyika near Kigoma: Gombe National Park, of Jane Goodall fame, and the wilder, more remote Mahale Mountains, both reached by boat or light aircraft.

What happened at Ujiji?

In 1871 the journalist Henry Morton Stanley found the missing explorer Dr David Livingstone at Ujiji, reportedly greeting him with 'Dr Livingstone, I presume?' A memorial and museum mark the spot today.

How deep is Lake Tanganyika?

Lake Tanganyika is the world's longest freshwater lake at around 660 km and the second-deepest at roughly 1,470 m, home to hundreds of endemic fish species.

How do I get to Kigoma?

Kigoma Airport (TKQ) has domestic flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha, and the town is also served by the Central Railway, long-distance buses and the MV Liemba lake ferry.

Destination guide

Kigoma

Lake Tanganyika's port of chimps and explorers

How to get there

Getting to Kigoma

However you're arriving — from overseas, from another part of Tanzania, or just moving around once you're here.

Flying in from abroad

International visitors

Kigoma Airport (TKQ) handles domestic flights only; international visitors connect via Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro.

From elsewhere in Tanzania

Upcountry & other cities

Scheduled and charter flights link Kigoma with Dar es Salaam, Arusha and the western parks, while the Central Railway from Dar es Salaam and long-distance buses also reach the town.

Getting around locally

Once you're in the region

Taxis, bajaji and dala-dala serve Kigoma and Ujiji, and boats or the historic MV Liemba ferry connect lakeshore villages and the chimpanzee parks.

Want the door-to-door leg handled? Travel with a driver who knows the roads.

Book a driver