Overview – Mahale Mountain National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park is located in eastern Tanzania and is one of the smaller parks in this country. Bordered by Lake Tanganyika and is diverse with wildernesses and fields. Mahale Mountains National Park harbours the largest known populace of eastern chimpanzees and because of its size and distance, the chimpanzees thrive. It is additionally the main spot where chimpanzees and lions exist together. Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot. There are no roads or other infrastructure inside the park limits, and the main way all through the park is by means of boat on the lake.
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Wildlife12 Animals
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High SeasonJuly to October
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Best Time to GoJuly to October
Pros & Cons
- An opportunity to encounter chimpanzees very closely
- Pristine forest at the shore of Lake Tanganyika
- Watching wildlife on a climb is a decent change from vehicle safaris
- Very exclusive and doesn't get crowded
- Extremely selective and not crowded
- Hard to get to and very limited options for accommodation
Mahale Mountain National Park Map in Africa
Mahale Mountain National Park Safari Reviews
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Wildlife & Animals – Mahale Mountain National Park
Mahale's chimpanzees are the principal fascination, yet the park supports an assorted forest fauna, including promptly noticed troops of red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and numerous brilliant forest birds and butterflies. Warthog can in some cases be seen around the camp. There are approximately 800 chimps in the park, and around 60 of them are extremely adjusted to people. Your guide will take you, walking, along the forest trails to discover them.
Wildlife Highlights
Apart from Chimpanzees, eight other primate species have been recorded and somewhere around five are probably going to be experienced on a visit. These are yellow baboon, red colobus, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey and vervet monkey. The nighttime lesser and greater galago is bound to be heard than seen. The eastern inclines of Mahale support populaces of elephant, lion, wild canine, roan impala, buffalo and giraffe, yet they are seldom seen by guests.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The best time for chimpanzees trekking is during the dry season from May to October. At this time, chimpanzees don't wander far and stay close to the lakeshore. Because of this, visitors get a chance to take extraordinary photographs. The park stays open throughout the year but, in heavy rain, the trails might be difficult to walk.
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Birds – Mahale Mountain National Park
More than 350 bird species have been recorded in the Mahale Mountains up until now, yet this is relied upon to just be 80% of all species present. A large portion of them is forest birds, which are very hard to spot. A portion of the more obvious birds to pay special mind to are the goliath kingfisher, peaked guineafowl and Ross' turaco. Transitory birds are available from November to April.
Notable Birds in Mahale Mountain National Park
Best Time for Bird Watching
The birds here are numerous throughout the year; however, the best time for watching the birds is from the start of November to the end of April. In these months the resident species begin Nesting and are in breeding plumage, as well as migratory birds coming from Europe or the northern part of Africa are present. From March up to April, the heavy rains make it really challenging to see the birds as the forest trails are really slippery.
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Best Time to Visit – Mahale Mountain National Park
Chimpanzee trekking can be done around the year in the Mahale Mountains. However, the best time to do this is in the Dry season from July to October as they don't wander far and stay close to the lakeshore. Because of this, visitors get a chance to take extraordinary photographs. In the Wet season, it might take three to four hours to locate the chimpanzee. Limited accommodations are available in the park and that too is closed in March-April.
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Best Time
July to October
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High Season
July to October
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Low Season
April and May
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Best Weather
May to October
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Worst Weather
November to April
May to October (Dry Season)
- Best time for Chimpanzees trekking as they can be easily found on the low mountain slopes
- It is sunny, and there is little rain
- Fewer mosquitoes and less chance of catching malaria
- Other tourists can be visible tracking Chimpanzees but never gets crowded
May to October (Wet Season)
- The air is clear and has no haze
- Migratory birds are available
- Plenty of Butterflies
- Waterfalls are in full flow
- Forest trails are slippery due to heavy rains, difficult to trek.
- Difficult to find Chimpanzee as they move away from the lake
- It gets very hot and humid
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Activities – Mahale Mountain National Park
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Safari Reviews – Mahale Mountain National Park
Want to Visit Mahale Mountain National Park?
Photo Gallery – Mahale Mountain National Park
