Mahale Mountains National Park – Chimpanzee Trekking in Tanzania

Mahale Mountains National Park is located in the western area of Tanzania, south of Kigoma town, along the beaches of Lake Tanganyika. The national park was named after the Mahale mountain ranges, which were historically inhabited by the Batongwe and Holoholo peoples, who were subsequently resettled outside the park upon its designation as a national park. The Mahale Mountains National Park encompasses 1,613 square kilometers and was initially established as a study camp in 1965, subsequently designated as a national park in 1985.

The park is home to approximately 1,000 chimpanzees, making it the second location for the endangered chimpanzee species, behind Gombe National Park. In addition to chimpanzees, Mahale Mountains National Park hosts various primates such as red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and yellow baboons. The eastern slopes of the Mahale ranges also support wildlife including elephants, lions, roan antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, bushbucks, and rarely observed wild dogs and waterbucks, as well as avian species like the African fish eagle, giant kingfisher, crested guinea fowl, and bamboo warbler, among others.

Top things to see and do in Mahale mountains national park

Trekking chimpanzees

Chimpanzee trekking is the primary activity in the park, allowing visitors to traverse the forest in pursuit of habituated chimps in their natural environment. Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park commences in the morning, accompanied by a park guide who will provide information about the chimpanzees along the journey. The chimpanzee trekking in the park lasts between 30 minutes to 3 hours, contingent upon their location. Upon locating the chimps, you will spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat, gaining insights into their behaviors and habits, including eating and play activities. Chimpanzees in the park are susceptible to human infections; consequently, tourists interested in chimpanzee trekking must wear surgical masks.

Bird watching

Mahale Mountains National Park is recognized as a premier birding location in Tanzania, hosting over 350 avian species, including both forest and migratory birds, observable from November to April. The park is home to various bird species, including the crowned eagle, scaly francolin, bamboo warbler, crested malimbe, gigantic kingfisher, Stuhlmann’s starling, Ross’s turaco, blue-checked bee-eater, palm-nut vulture, Vieillot’s black weaver, trumpeter hornbill, and crested guineafowl, among others. Birdwatching in Mahale National Park is conducted on guided nature walks, as guests are prohibited from traversing the forest unaccompanied by a guide.

Mountain climbing

The national park features Mount Nkungwe, the tallest point in the Mahale mountain range, standing at 2,462 meters. Safari visitors in the park can partake in mountain climbing, an exhilarating endeavor that allows for a 2 to 3-day hike to the summit of Mt. Nkungwe, where overnight camping is available. Participants can witness the enchanting spectacle of fishing fires as kerosene lamps from fishing boats illuminate the lake. Ascending Mount Nkungwe necessitates physical fitness, and tourists must also have their own camping equipment and provisions.

Sport fishing

This is an extraordinary endeavor conducted on the pristine waters of Lake Tanganyika. Anglers must first obtain a fishing permission to engage in the activity. Sport fishing occurs in certain locations from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, facilitated by a knowledgeable guide, employing a catch-and-release technique.

During your safari in Mahale Mountains National Park, you may also partake in various activities, including snorkeling, which involves diving into cool waters with a mask for approximately three hours; a boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, offering splendid views of the landscape and wildlife; kayaking; and cultural tours, providing the opportunity to visit local communities such as the Batongwe and Holoholo, who resided in the forest prior to its designation as a national park. During the cultural trips, you may also visit the old town of Ujiji, among others.

Accommodation options in Mahale National Park

In Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania, lodgings range from luxury to midrange and affordable options, including Kungwe Beach Lodge, Mahale Mango Bandas, Greystoke Mahale Camp, and Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge, among others. The lodges provide spacious accommodations featuring en-suite bathrooms, living areas, balconies, and laundry services, and additional amenities such as a bar, library, restaurant, complimentary internet access, and battery charging facilities to enhance your stay.

Best time for visiting Mahale National Park

Mahale National Park is accessible year-round; however, the optimal period for visitation is the dry season, from July to October, when precipitation is minimal or absent. During this time, chimpanzee trekking and nature walk trails are more navigable compared to the rainy season, when conditions are muddy and treacherous. In the dry season, chimpanzees migrate to the lower mountain slopes, making them easier to locate. The risk of contracting malaria diminishes due to the reduced mosquito population in the park, and this season is optimal for leisure at the beach.

Directions to Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale National Park can be visited via air, boat, or road transportation.

Upon utilizing road transport, you will arrive at either Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha or Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, from which you will thereafter travel by road to the park headquarters, often rendered inaccessible, particularly during the rainy season.

Domestic airlines provide scheduled flights from Arusha and Dar es Salaam to Mahale airstrip during the peak season from June to October. Chartered flights can be arranged in the low season of March, April, and May, as no scheduled flights are available during that period. Domestic airlines that provide chartered flights to Mahale Mountains National Park include Air Excel, Regional Air, and Northern Air, among others.

Access to Mahale Mountains National Park is available from Kigoma town, which can be reached by flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha or Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, followed by a road journey to Kigoma lasting approximately 2 to 3 days, or a 3-hour flight via Precision Air. From Kigoma, one can utilize water conveyance via speedboats, which require approximately 6 hours, or lumber boats, which necessitate around 15 hours. Private companies in Kigoma or the park can organize the boats.

Chartered flights from Kigoma to Mahale Mountains National Park are available, taking approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively, the MV Liemba, a large steamship, departs Kigoma on Wednesday afternoons, transporting passengers and cargo and requiring about 10 hours to reach Mahale, where a boat from the park will transfer visitors to the park headquarters.