The Two Secret Homes Of Jane Goodall: Where Does The Global Conservationist Live Now?

For a woman who has spent over six decades immersed in the wilds of Africa, the answer to "Where does Jane Goodall live?" is surprisingly grounded in a quiet English seaside town. As of December 2025, the world-renowned primatologist and environmental activist, Dame Jane Goodall, maintains her official residence at her family's childhood home in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England. This house, known as "The Birches," serves as her anchor, though she only spends a fraction of her time there, making her a true global citizen.

Her life is a constant cycle of travel, speaking to millions about the threats facing chimpanzees and the environmental crisis, a mission that keeps her on the road for nearly 300 days a year. This means that while her physical address is in the UK, her spiritual and professional home remains the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, the place where her groundbreaking research began in 1960. The question of her residence is therefore less about a fixed location and more about a life dedicated to a global cause.

Dame Jane Goodall: A Brief Biography and Profile

To understand her current living situation, one must first appreciate the extraordinary life of this pioneer. Jane Goodall's journey from a young woman with a dream to a global icon is a testament to perseverance and passion.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• Full Name: Dame Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall
• Born: April 3, 1934, in London, England
• Primary Occupation: Primatologist, Ethologist, Anthropologist, and Environmental Activist
• Key Achievement: Pioneering long-term study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, beginning in 1960
• Groundbreaking Discovery: Observing chimpanzees making and using tools, which redefined the relationship between humans and the animal kingdom
• Key Organizations: Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and the Roots & Shoots youth program
• Notable Honors: Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), UN Messenger of Peace
• Current Activities: Global travel and speaking engagements, advocating for conservation and hope

The English Anchor: 'The Birches' in Bournemouth

Jane Goodall's official, permanent residence—the place she calls "home" for the two months a year she is not traveling—is a modest house called "The Birches" in Bournemouth, England.

A Lifelong Connection to the South Coast

This house is not a new acquisition; it is the property where Dr. Goodall grew up. She moved there with her family from France when World War II began and has maintained a deep connection to the property ever since.

• Location: Bournemouth, on the south coast of England (part of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area).
• The House Name: "The Birches."
• Co-Resident: She lives with her younger sister, Judy Goodall, when she is home.
• Function: It serves as a retreat, a place to reconnect with family, and a base for administrative work for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI).

The house itself is a symbol of stability in a life of constant motion. It represents her roots and the quiet beginnings that led to her extraordinary career. While the world sees her as a figure of the African wilderness, her personal life is tied to the English countryside and the comfort of her childhood home.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

The Spiritual Home: Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania

Despite her official residence being in England, the location most synonymous with the primatologist is her "second home," the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. This is the place where she made history and where her legacy is physically rooted.

The Gombe Research Station

In 1960, at the age of 26, Jane Goodall traveled to what was then the Gombe Stream Reserve, a remote forest along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Here, she established the chimpanzee research station that would become the longest-running study of its kind in the world.

• Location: Western Tanzania, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
• Original Lifestyle: Goodall lived a minimalist lifestyle in a simple home at the field research station, prioritizing proximity to nature.
• The Chimpanzees: The Gombe chimpanzees, including famous individuals like David Greybeard, Fifi, and Frodo, are the reason for her decades-long commitment to the area.
• Legacy: The research station continues to operate today under the management of the Jane Goodall Institute, monitoring the complex social structures and behavior of the chimpanzee community.

For many years, this was her primary residence, a place where she felt truly "at home" in Africa. Even now, her connection to Gombe is profound, serving as the wellspring of her global conservation mission.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

The Global Residence: A Life on the Road for Conservation

The most accurate answer to where Jane Goodall lives is "everywhere." Her life today is a relentless schedule of travel, a self-imposed exile from a fixed home to serve a greater purpose. As a traveling activist, she is a UN Messenger of Peace, constantly flying to different continents to spread her message of hope and action.

The Roots & Shoots Movement

A significant portion of her travel is dedicated to supporting the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and its global youth program, Roots & Shoots, which she founded in 1991. This program empowers young people to undertake community projects that benefit people, animals, and the environment.

Her work is a testament to the idea that a home is not just a building, but a mission. She has effectively turned the entire world into her office and classroom, using her platform to fight for the protection of great apes and their habitat.

The Cost of Activism

Dr. Goodall has often spoken about the toll her constant travel takes, but she views it as necessary. Her presence generates vital awareness and funding for conservation efforts, including those focused on the chimpanzees she loves. She is a living embodiment of the conservationist's home being wherever the work needs to be done.

In summary, while her legal and childhood home is the quiet "The Birches" in Bournemouth, her heart is split between the wild forests of Gombe and the airports and conference halls of the world. She is a woman of two homes and one global mission.