Magic at the Mahale: Looking Closely at the Beautiful National Park in Tanzania

About Mahale Mountains National Park

If you have even the slightest interest in traveling to countries like Tanzania or Kenya, and would love to experience wildlife safaris, or have done that in the past, then you’ve probably heard of famous national parks like the Serengeti in Tanzania already. But towards its extreme western end, lie two more National Parks that are quite underrated, yet harbor some of the most beautiful landscapes, huge varieties of wild animals who you can witness in their natural habitats. One of these underrated destinations is the Mahale National Park Tanzania, where the lakeshore is a stunning beach, with soft blue waters and the warm breeze and gorgeous butterflies fluttering around, while the forest is bustling with life.

What is there to see at Mahale Mountains National Park?

While there is plenty to see at Mahale Mountains National Park, one of the most popular attractions continues to be the chimpanzees, which are far and plentiful at the location. Notably, one particular group of the chimps- the Mimikre Clan – has been a topic of research since around the year 1965, and has around 56 known chimps. Other than this, there are plenty of other safaris offered to tourists at Mahale Mountains National Park Tanzania. There  are also over 300 species of birds present at  the Mahale Mountains National Park, many of them being endemic to the region.

How to get to Mahale Mountains National Park?

There are actually multiple ways of getting to Mahale National Park- via air as well as water. If you’re traveling by air, you can board a flight from either Arusha or Dar-es-Salam, which stop en route to Mahale.

Alternatively, for those who may wish to travel by means of water, can opt for a charter boat or a lake taxi from Kalinani or Sigunga, or an MV Liemba, which is essentially a passenger cargo ferry. Though some of these may take more than  a day, if time is not a concern for you, then they might be a good option to consider when traveling to Mahale National Park, Tanzania. 

There is also a third, and perhaps more interesting way to get to the Mahale National Park. You can also opt for a kayaking expedition from Korongwe or Karema, and in a  couple of days, you will be face to face with the wonderful national park.

Where can I stay at  Mahale National Park?

• Greystoke Mahale Camp continues to be a popular option for those interested in the chimp safaris. Here you can easily relax in natural, thatched huts and enjoy the view of a two storey bar overlooking a beautiful lake. 
• Kungwe Beach Lodge: Another popular choice for those visiting the Mahale National Park Tanzania, which is a luxury lodge consisting of tented bandas on a beautiful soft, warm beach land. 
• Mango Tree Bandas: This is a government run accommodation, and offers five more affordable units. 

The Mahale Mountain Chimpanzees

The largest colony of eastern chimpanzees find their home in the Mahale Mountains. Often, people are likely to spot a  chimpanzee within the first few minutes of their hike itself, but if not, then you may have to climb the steep hills a little further. In any case, chances of tourists spotting a chimpanzee here are quite high.

The Mahale Mountain Chimpanzees are not a regular group of wild animals who are residing in an unknown place, away from the rest of the world. INfact, this species is quite famous, and has been the center of research at Kyoto University for decades, and a lot has been found about them.

There are also certain restrictions on how people behave with the chimpanzees, all tourists are only allowed a certain amount of time with the animals, and are supposed to adhere to rules which call to maintain the good health of the chimpanzees too.

Nine primate species have so far been spotted at Mahale National Park Tanzania, which includes the chimpanzee as well as the endangered Ugandan Red Colobus, which are only spotted in two other locations in Tanzania and Uganda.

Other activities at Mahale Mountains National Park:

Though Chimpanzee Trekking is an important activity at this National Park, it is not the only one. There is plenty of other activities that tourists can participate in at Mahale Mountains National Park, such as guided forest parks which allow tourists to look at many other animals such as monkeys and birds, There is also the option of hiking up to the gorgeous waterfall in the forest, or enjoy the cruise and other water activities like snorkeling at the lake.

What is the Best time to visit the Mahale Mountains National Park?

The best time to visit the Mahale Mountain National Park would be around August to October, which is the dry season, and most animals, including the chimpanzees are out and about. On the contrary, as the rains approach, the animals move to the higher slopes and are relatively harder to find. So plan your trip accordingly, and make sure you visit during the dry months so you can make the most of your time.

In Conclusion:

Now that you have all the information on how you can travel to Mahale Mountains National Park, what is the best time to plan a holiday, what are the activities you can undertake and all the information on the popular chimpanzee trek at Mahale, you’re only a few bookings away from a wonderful holiday. Whether with family or friends, the Mahale Mountains National Park is the destination waiting for you!