Mahale Mountain National Park

Overview

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.

High Season

July to October

Best Time to Go

July 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

Map in Tanzania

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Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of Mahale Mountain National Park through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

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Wildlife & Animals

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

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.

Best Time for Birding

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

High Season

July to October

Low Season

April and May

Best Weather

May to October

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