Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains national park is located in western Tanzania. It is south of the city of Kigoma, and got its name from the Mahale Mountains. These mountains are one of only two protected areas for chimpanzees in Tanzania and the chimpanzee population is the largest known. It is the only place where chimpanzees and lions co-exist. Mahale Mountains national park sits among the spectacular, forested mountain slopes. The protection of the thousands of chimpanzees that inhabit the region was originally and main reason to create the park.

Chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains

The park (like its northerly neighbor Gombe) is home to some of the Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, a population of roughly 900, they are habituated to human visitors. As the chimpanzees are susceptible to many human diseases, strict rules apply to the safe conduct of primate safaris in Tanzania. Don’t miss out on this adventure! And spend time during your hike through the Mahale mountains national park searching for the chimpanzees. The hikes are led by knowledgeable and experienced guides. You will meet the resident chimpanzee group and have time to observe them. Meeting the chimpanzees is a once in a lifetime, magical experience!

Other highlights of the National park

Mahale Mountains national park is also famous for its fantastic sunsets over Lake Tanganyika, which makes it an essential stop for keen photographers and safari enthusiasts. Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the few in Africa where you will be walking, as there are no roads within the park boundaries. The only way in and out of the park is by boat across the lake.

Wildlife in the Mahale national park

The park’s breathtaking array of habitats include rainforest, grasslands, alpine bamboo and woodlands. You can find over 50 species of animals here. Predominant among these being representatives from various monkey and ape families. And over 100 unique species of fish swim in the clear waters of the lake.