Mahale Mountains National Park – Chimpanzee Trekking in Tanzania

Mahale Mountains National Park is among Tanzania’s national parks. It is located in Kigoma region on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. Mahale Mountains National Park protects the largest population of chimpanzees in its remote location. It is one of only two protected areas for chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania; after Gombe Stream National Park. The park is named after the Mahale Mountains range that lies within its borders.

Mahale Mountains National Park is the one of the few places where chimpanzees and lions coexist. Covering a total surface area of 1,650 square kilometres, its unique vegetation and landscape are so pristine and verdant that, it can only be explored on foot. Within the park’s boundaries, there are no roads or other infrastructure, and the only way in and out of the Park is by boat. The rich and verdant vegetation of Mahale Mountain National Park includes miombo forest, bamboo undergrowth, montane grassland, mahogany and fig trees.

The Mahale Mountains National Park was originally inhabited by the Batongwe and Holoholo peoples, who lived in the ranges with populations of 22,500 in 1987. When the Mahale Mountains Wildlife Research Centre was founded in 1979, these people were forced to leave the mountains to make way for the park, which opened in 1985. The people had been extremely sensitive to the natural environment, living with almost no impact on the ecology.

Whereas chimps are the major attraction in the Mahale Mountains National Park, there are several other animal species including red-colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, roan antelopes, elephannts and hippos may also be viewed. The Park is also home to an impressive number of 350 recorded bird species, including the Palm-nut vultures, African Fish Eagle, Crested Guinea Fowl, Giant Kingfisher, to mention but a few.

Activities in Mahale National Park

The experience of exploring the Mahale Mountains National Park by foot guarantees tourists a complete wild-living and a pleasure-seeking cocktail of exploration as they undertake different tourist Activities;

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is the highlight of any Tanzania safari to the Mahale Mountains National Park. Visitors spend an exciting morning searching for chimpanzees on the forested slopes of the park. The topography is mostly craggy with rolling hills that run across the towering Mahale Mountains chain, standing at 2462m above sea level.

Chimpanzee trekking is a popular activity in the Mahale National Park, which is home to approximately 1700 Chimpanzees as well as nine other primates such as the blue monkey, red colobus monkey, olive baboon, yellow baboon, and red-tailed monkey. The experience starts in the morning at the Park headquarters with a briefing from the Park rangers. Children under the age of 12 and people suffering from infectious diseases are not permitted to visit the chimpanzees. Only groups of 6 people are allowed to view the chimpanzees; and if tourists arrive while another group is viewing, they are advised to wait at a location designated by their tour guide. More so, trekking is not permitted for more than 3 hours, and viewing time is limited to only one hour.

Walking Safaris in Mahale Mountains National Park

Walking safaris in the Mahale Mountains National Park are highly rewarding with wonderful attractions such as chimpanzee hooting noises and melodic vocals of numerous bird species. Walking safaris are carried out across the stunning lowlands, giving guests the rare opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the park’s diverse wildlife and birdlife.

Cultural Experience

Tourists to the Mahale Mountains National Park can also visit the small villages of the holoholo and batongwe people. This group has very unique ways of living and different lifestyles that you would like to see, as well as acquire handcrafts from local shops as a keepsake. Moreover, tourists can also explore the historic colonial town of Ujiji in Tanganyika, where the German colonialists used to carry out the slave trade.

Wildlife Viewing in Mahale Mountains National Park

While in the park, you can go game viewing, which is best done along the eastern slopes of Mahale. Wildlife in the Mahale is done on foot and tourists can expect to see species such as elephants, lions, wild dogs, giraffes, buffalos, bush backs, roan antelopes, and waterbucks among others. You can also see primates like the yellow baboons, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys.

Hiking in Mahale Mountains National Park

The Mahale Mountains National Park is a wild frontline that offers brilliant hiking adventures and the opportunity to climb the imposing Mount Nkungwe, the park’s brooding peak and a place of spiritual significance to the Tongwe people who once lived in the mountain. The park rewards int repid hikers with a wealth of animals and birdlife as well as amazing scenic views. Nkungwe is easily climbable and makes a great 2 – 3 day adventure as you hack your way through tall grass and brush to the top. You will be accompanied by an armed park ranger with en route camping that adds a mind-blowing experience to the entire adventure.

Bird-watching in Mahale Mountains National Park

The forested Mahale Mountains and lake shorelines also attribute to opportunities for bird watching; which is also among the top tourist activities in the Mahale Mountains Natio nal Park. Bird-watching in the Mahale is popular, particularly in the forests, which are usually teeming with birds such as guinea fowls, crested cranes, African fish eagles, hornbills, and kingfishers on the shores, among others. Bird-watching in the Mahale is also done on foot on short walks through the park’s other forests.

Best time to visit Mahale National Park

The best time of year to visit Mahale National Park is from June to mid-October when the sun shines and you can relax on the lakeshores after swimming. Furthermore, the vegetation is not dense, allowing the better sights of the chimpanzees and other wildlife. However, bird-watching in the park is good from November to April when the migratory species from Eurpe and Northern Africa are present.

How to get to Mahale National Park

Depending on your itinerary, your entry point to the country will be either via Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha town or Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Mahale via boat and then by car to your lodge.

However, a flight from Arusha is the best way to get to Mahale. Safari Air Link operates the only public scheduled flight between Ruaha, Katavi, and Mahale twice a week.

Accommodation in Mahale National Park