Kigoma Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Kigoma combines primate encounters, history and lake life on one of the world’s deepest lakes.

• Gombe Stream National Park — Take a boat north along the lake to trek to chimpanzees in the forest made famous by Jane Goodall’s research.
• Mahale Mountains National Park — Visit this remote park further south, where chimpanzees roam forested mountains above the lake.
• Ujiji — See the Livingstone Memorial at the site where Henry Morton Stanley is said to have met David Livingstone in 1871.
• Lake Tanganyika beaches — Swim and relax at sandy coves such as Jakobsen’s Beach near town.
• Kigoma railway station — Admire the historic German-era station at the western end of Tanzania’s Central Line.
• Sunset on the lake — Watch fishing boats head out as the sun sets over the hills of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Kigoma has a warm tropical climate, with a dry season from about June to October and a long rainy season that usually runs from around November to May. The dry months are best for chimpanzee trekking, as forest trails are less slippery and boat trips on the lake are generally calmer.

In the wet season, forests are lush and the scenery is at its greenest, but heavy showers can make trekking and road travel more challenging. The lake keeps temperatures fairly steady year-round.

Kigoma Airport lies a short drive from the town centre and handles domestic flights, mainly linking with Dar es Salaam and other Tanzanian cities. Taxis, motorbike taxis and hotel pick-ups are the usual ways into town.

Kigoma is also the terminus of the Central Line railway from Dar es Salaam, a long journey across the country. Boats to Gombe and Mahale are usually arranged through lodges, tour operators or park offices.

Kigoma offers a small but varied range of accommodation, from town guesthouses to lakeside hotels.

• Town centre — Practical for banks, the market and transport links.
• Lakeshore — Hotels and lodges along the water suit travellers wanting views and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Ujiji — A historic neighbouring town suited to those interested in local history.
• Gombe and Mahale — Park accommodation and camps suit dedicated chimpanzee trekkers.

• Money: Carry sufficient Tanzanian shillings; ATMs are available in town, but card acceptance is limited.
• Trekking: Wear sturdy shoes and follow ranger rules for chimpanzee viewing, including keeping your distance.
• Health: Avoid trekking if you have a cold or other illness that could affect chimpanzees, and seek advice on malaria prevention.
• Etiquette: Dress modestly in town and ask permission before photographing people.
• Language: Swahili is widely spoken; French may be heard among visitors from neighbouring countries.