Mahale Mountains National Park
Wild chimpanzees in a tropical paradise ÔÇö trek through rainforest to meet habituated chimps on the pristine shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Africa's most extraordinary and least accessible destinations. Located on the remote eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, this 1,613 square kilometre park protects one of the last remaining wild chimpanzee populations in Tanzania ÔÇö approximately 900 individuals spread across the forested mountains.
The park's centrepiece is the habituated M-group of chimpanzees, studied by Japanese researchers since 1965 ÔÇö making it one of the longest-running primate research projects in the world. Trekking through the montane rainforest to sit with these wild chimps as they forage, groom, play, and display is one of the most powerful wildlife encounters available anywhere on Earth.
Mahale's setting is breathtaking. The Mahale Mountains rise to 2,462 metres directly from the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika ÔÇö the world's second-deepest lake. The combination of tropical forest, mountain peaks, sandy beaches, and the vast inland sea creates a landscape unlike anything else in Tanzania.
After morning chimp trekking, afternoons are spent swimming in the lake, kayaking, or snorkelling among the lake's remarkably diverse cichlid fish ÔÇö a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Safari Tours in Mahale Mountains National Park
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Mahale is home to approximately 900 wild chimpanzees ÔÇö the M-group of around 60 habituated individuals can be visited by tourists. The chimps share the forest with red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and Angola colobus monkeys ÔÇö eight primate species in total.
The forest also shelters bushpig, blue duiker, brush-tailed porcupine, and giant forest squirrel. Lake Tanganyika's waters contain over 250 species of cichlid fish, many found nowhere else on Earth. Birdlife is rich with forest specialists, palm-nut vultures, and African fish eagles along the shoreline.
How to Get There
Mahale is reached by a combination of scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Mahale airstrip (approximately 3 hours), followed by a boat transfer along Lake Tanganyika to the park. There are no roads into Mahale ÔÇö the park is entirely roadless. This remoteness is part of the magic.
Park Fees & Regulations
Park entry fees are $82.60 per adult per 24 hours (non-resident). Chimpanzee trekking permits are $100 per person per trek. Only 12 visitors per day are permitted to visit the chimps, making advance booking essential.