Kigoma
Tanzania · 774 m
Description
Kigoma is a historic port city in western Tanzania and the gateway to the remote chimpanzee parks along Lake Tanganyika. The town combines colonial heritage, African trading history and the unique atmosphere of one of the world’s great lakes, where the former German colonial railway once reached its terminus after crossing the country’s interior. Kigoma is best known as the starting point for journeys to Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Parks, where chimpanzees can be observed in their natural habitat. A few kilometres to the southeast lies Ujiji, a historic trading settlement made famous by the 1871 meeting between Henry Morton Stanley and David Livingstone. A stone monument commemorates the encounter, which remains one of the most renowned episodes in the history of European exploration in Africa.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: July – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Lake Tanganyika Waterfront
- Gombe National Park(Day trip)
- Ujiji
- Stanley-Livingstone Memorial
- Dr. Livingstone Memorial Museum
- MV Liemba
- Lake Tanganyika Boat Tours
- Kigoma Hilltop Viewpoint
- German Colonial Railway Station
- Kigoma Fish Market
- Jakobsen's Beach
- Lake Tanganyika Snorkeling
- Mahale Mountains National Park(Multi-day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- TKQ
- Train stations:
- Kigoma
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry