The park in Africa for chimpanzee safaris is Gombi in Tanzania. The reason that this area is so special for Chimpanzees is that the surrounding topography forms a barrier to migration between the western lowlands and the eastern highlands. As a result the elephant, wildebeest, lion and zebra are entirely absent, whereas the primates normally found in the western lowlands, such as the chimpanzee, are present. The plants, reptiles, birds and small mammals also reflect the special conditions that exist in this area.

With Lake Tanganyika forming the western boundary, and the high wall of the rift valley the eastern boundary, it is a magical place. Ridges stretching from the high rift to the lakeshore protect the northern and southern boundaries, beyond which are several fishing villages and some banana plantations. 

Like humans Chimps have opposable thumbs, although these are much shorter than human thumbs, and their opposable big toes enable a precision grip. Chimpanzees are known as "knuckle walkers": They place the soles of their feet and the backs of their fingers on the ground. Chimpanzees can also walk upright, in the bipedal position, when carrying something in their hands or when looking over tall grass.

Chimpanzee males are slightly larger and heavier than females. At Gombe, adult males weigh between 90 and 115 pounds and measure about 4 feet high when standing upright. Females are slightly smaller. Chimpanzees in West Africa, and in captivity, may be larger. Chimpanzees in the wild seldom live longer than 50 years. Some captive individuals have lived more than 60 years.

Gombe National Park is a mixture of woodland, some open areas on ridges and peaks, and thick riverine forest in the many valleys. Chimpanzees need a water supply and many kinds of fruits. They are omnivores, and eat not only fruits, nuts, seeds, blossoms, and leaves, but many kinds of insects and occasionally the meat of medium-sized mammals. Chimpanzees, like humans, have such catholic tastes that they are able to live in a wide variety of habitats, unlike gorillas and orangutans which have more specialised diets in the wild.