Mahale Mountains National Park | Tanzania

Mahale Mountains National Park Location, Facts and History

Mahale Mountains National Park is located in the western parts of Tanzania, along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. Note that Lake Tanganyika is a top tourist attraction in Mahale NP since it’s the deepest lake in Africa. In addition, Mahale is found in the Uvinza District of the Kigoma Region. This park covers approximately 1,613 square kilometers and is famous for its remote and unspoiled beauty.

Mahale Mountains National Park was established in 1985. This was with an aim of protecting its chimpanzee population in Tanzania and the surrounding ecosystem. Amongst all Tanzania National Parks, Mahale is famous for mostly chimpanzees. Mahale Mountains National Park has the world’s largest protected population (approx. 700-1000) of the eastern subspecies of Chimpanzee. And with the years that have passed, Mahale Mountains National Park has been a great Tanzania safari destination.

Furthermore, this national park is made up of an unblemished forest-lake ecosystem. Also, it gains its name Mahale from the Mahale Mountain Range. It’s the major influence of the Mahale’s landscape with steep ridges and misty peaks gaining the park a sense of beauty for all visitors.

In this sense, there is a lot about Mahale National Park to be discovered mostly while at the destination physically. Use the information below as you plan your Mahale safari in Tanzania.

How to Get to Mahale Mountains National Park: A Detailed Guide & Map

Want to get to Mahale Mountains National Park? There are various transport means available, including: Air, Boat, and Road. Hence, making it easy to access this park for all those who wish to visit it in Tanzania.

  • By Air –  This is the quickest means of access to this park for your Mahale safari. Fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, followed by a boat or charter flight to Mahale National Park. Or, use charter flights from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, or Kigoma to Mahale airstrip. If you want to use air transport, it’s best to book in advance. This is essential due to limited schedules and passenger loads.

  • By Road + Boat (From Kigoma): Go for a road trip to Mahale National Park, which is about ~128 km, spending ~5 hrs from Kigoma. Reach at Katumbi village or Mgambo Bay on the lakeshore. Then, have a Boat Transfer across Lake Tanganyika using either a speedboat, taking about ~4–5 hrs or a  Timber boat, spending ~10 hrs. Once inside the park, travel is only by foot.
Mahale Mountains National Park Map

Google Map for Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania

Climate of Mahale National Park Tanzania

Mahale National Park has a tropical climate just like Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. So, this tropical climate is characterised by warm and humid conditions throughout the year. Be aware of the information below if you’re planning to go on a Mahale safari in Tanzania.

Mahale National Park experiences two seasons: the wet and dry seasons. The dry season in Mahale Tanzania, from May to October clear skies, lower humidity, and cooler nights. Also, it’s the best time for hiking and chimpanzee trekking, plus other Tanzania safari things to do in Mahale. The wet season from November to April experiences higher humidity and regular afternoon showers.

Hence, making Mahale National Park Tanzania contain lush green landscapes which are fit for photography and birdwatching tours in Tanzania. However, travelling for a safari to Mahale Park is more difficult during this time. Additionally, some lodges may close during heavy rains, unlike Greystoke Mahale.

Temperatures of Mahale National Park typically stay around 27 °C (81 °F) most especially during day. Nights commonly cool down to between 14–18 °C (57–64 °F). Although, these temperatures in Mahale are not consistent as they tend to vary depending on the season.

Worst and Best Time to Visit Mahale Mountains National Park

There is always the best and worst months to go on a safari to Mahale National Park in Tanzania. Get to know more about what time is favourable for your safari activity to do at Mahale.

Best time to visit Mahale in Tanzania

June to October in the dry season of the year is the best time to visit Tanzania for a safari in Mahale National Park. There are vaarious reasons below as to why its the ideal time for most best Mahale safari activities.

Why it’s the best time:

  • Chimpanzees in Mahale Tanzania descend from the high slopes of the national park. Hence, making treks shorter and sightings more reliable during your Mahale chimp trekking.
  • Hiking trails in Mahale such as Mount Nkungwe Trail are less muddy and safer hence making the hikes more thrilling for sightseers
  • Lake Tanganyika is calm and crystal clear this surely makes it more ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. Additionally, these water safari activities are famous things to do in while on a safari to Mahale national park.
  • The dry season is surely great for camping and long hikes most especially at areas like Mount Nkungwe.

Worst time to visit

The wet Season months from November–May are the worst time to visit Mahale. They are challenging for most safari activities in the park yet rewarding. Here’s why.

Why it’s more difficult:

  • Trails like Mount Nkungwe Trail usually become muddy and slippery due to heavy rains. Therefore, this makes Mahake chimps trekking strenuous and sometimes dangerous to engage in while at the park.
  • Chimpanzees in this park move higher up in these months and this requires longer treks with fewer sightings.
  • Accessibility to Mahale National Park becomes limited as boats are less reliable in stormy weather. Also, charter flights to Mahale Airstrip may be disrupted.

However, there are safari activities to do in this park in this worst time like birding, photographic safaris and waterfalls experiences. These Tanzania things to do in Mahale can be carried out effectively and this concludes that the park is visited all-year-around.

Note: The Mahale national park is sometimes closed in April for chimpanzee research and conservation work. Therefore, it is very important to plan your trip to Mahale Park Tanzania accordingly.

Wildlife in Mahale National Park

Mahale national park is mostly known for its high population of orimates and chimpanzees in Africa. But it also acts as home to numerous wildlife such as;

  • Roan & sable antelope, Bush pigs, mongoose, and warthogs.
  • Mahale has some Tanzania big 5 like Lions, leopards, and elephants on rare instances at the national park.
  • The park has a huge population of over 350 bird species recorded including; African fish eagle, Ross’s turaco. Also, Giant kingfisher, Narina trogon, Crested guinea fowl, Yellow-billed stork, Pelicans and hornbills.
  • Tanzania aquatic life within the famous Lake Tanganyika boasts 250–350 endemic fish species. This includes colorful cichlids, hippos, freshwater crabs and mollusks.
  • Mahale National park has Reptiles and Amphibians with an estimated percentage of ~20 species of reptiles. Some species in Mahale include monitor lizards and snakes and other amphibians.

Top 4 Tourist Attractions in Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale national park is home various tourist attractions in Tanzania. These t0p 4 tourist attractions in Mahake make it on of the most visited Tanzania National Parks. They include the following.

1. Mountains in Mahale:

Visit Tanzania and see the mind blowing and dramatic Mahale mountain range. This range has Mount Nkungwe standing at approximately 2,462 m within the national park. So, this Mahale mountain range offers excellent views for photography safaris in Tanzania.

2. Lake Tanganyika:

Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa as we mentioned before. Mahale national park is in its eastern ends. So, visitors to Mahale Tanzania engage in thrilling water safari activities on this lake while on their wildlife safari.

3. Chimpanzees in Mahale Tanzania

Mahale National Park is one of Africa’s largest protected chimpanzee populations. These chimpanzees in Mahale Park Tanzania are ranged in different groups like the M-Group. The latter have been habituated through long-term research and offer exceptional experiences of Mahale chimp trekking in Tanzania.

4. Other primates in Mahale Park Tanzania

Mahale national park has other primates aside from its population of chimpanzees. Primate in Mahale truly permit sightseers to have the most mind blowing primate experiences at the park. Other ptimates to see in Mahale National park include yellow baboons, Red colobus monkeys. Other species are Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys and Nocturnal bush babies.

Tourist Activities in Mahale Mountains National Park Tanzania

Want a Safari to Mahale Mountains National Park Tanzania? Mahale national park is among the best destinations to visit in Tanzania for a safari. Additionally, its due to its top things to do in Tanzania and tourist activities. The top four tourist attractions in Mahale Tanzania include;

1. Bird watching:

Birding in Mahale is possible because of its rich ecosystems like forest, lake Tanganyika shores and riverine. So, these that act as the habitats of these bird species sustaining their existence. There are over 350 different species of birds in Mahale to see like the African fish eagle, Ross’s turaco among others. The best times for sightseeing tours of birds in Mahale Tanzania is during sunrise and sunset walks.

2. Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale National Park Tanzania:

At Mahale national park, the sightseers are offered with the privilege of chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania. Hike through thick forests of Mahale Mountain Ranges which sustains the existence of the chimpanzees in abundance. Guided hikes for Mahale chimp trekking are usually conducted with tracking experts who help to easy the finding of the chimpanzees. Also, you’re offered 1-6 hours of trekking around Mount Nkungwe Trail. Hence, increasing their experience time to explore the chimpanzees in Mahale National Park.

During the Mahale chimp trekking there are strict rules that must be followed which help to safe guard the sightseers and the chimpanzees from danger. Chimpanzee trekking age limit in Mahale National Park is from 12 years and above. So, it’s because this unique activity to do in Mahale with family, kids and couples on budget is very tiring. Therefore, for visitors below that age and seniors its very exhausting.

3. Lake Tanganyika things to do in Mahale Tanzania

While at your safari to Mahale national park, there are also numerous activities to do around the lake shores of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. These Mahale safari activities include; Snorkeling, Swimming, Kayaking & Sunset dhow cruises, Fishing & Boat Safaris.

4. Cultural Encounters:

This national park is surrounded by different communities of people in Tanzania. So, opt to go for a cultural engagement with the locals like the Tongwe communities outside park boundaries. Hence, learn about fishing traditions and spiritual beliefs tied to the forest and chimps in Mahale.

Accommodations in Mahale National Park

Accommodation options in Mahale National Park are limited but offer exclusive and immersive experiences. Staying at the Mahale Mountains national park easy, comfortable and affordable for all classes of people that is luxury/private, mid-range and budget tourists. Some of these hotels, campsites at Mahale include;

  1. Greystoke Mahale: This luxury lodge in Mahale offers thrilling accommodation comforts to all sightseers at the destination. Greystoke Mahale is an iconic, rustic-luxury lodge with lakefront bandas and offers Dhow boat dining, gourmet meals, and unmatched seclusion
  2. Mbali Mbali Mahale: It has elegant eco-tents in Tanzania with modern comforts. Also, Mbali Mbale Mahale lodge offers guides, chimp permits, and full board packages included to all its sightseers.
  3. Park Campsites:
    • These are basic facilities (pit latrines, no electricity) great for budget travelers and researchers. Also sightseers who are opting for these must bring your own supplies or arrange with tour operators like Tanzania National Parks.

NOTE: Book your lodges or campsites in Mahale in advance for your safari. This is because there are limited options, high demand and most especially in the during dry season.