Overview
Mahale rises straight from the clear water of Lake Tanganyika. There are no roads: you arrive by boat, track chimpanzees through the forest in the mornings, and swim from the beach in the afternoons.
Mahale Mountains National Park rises straight from the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest freshwater lake. Forested mountains, white-sand beaches and no roads make it one of Africa’s most beautiful parks.
It is home to one of the largest populations of wild chimpanzees, studied by researchers since the 1960s. Treks start from the lakeshore camps and follow trackers into the forest.
Highlights
- Wild chimpanzee trekking
- Lake Tanganyika beaches
- No roads, arrive by boat
- Combine with Katavi
Things to do here
Wildlife to look for
- Chimpanzee
- Red colobus
- Blue monkey
- Bushbuck
Good to know
Best time to visit
July – October
Getting there
Light aircraft to the Mahale airstrip, then a boat along the lake shore.
Where to stay
Beachfront tented camps on Lake Tanganyika.
How long to stay
3–4 nights
Key facts
- Lake
- Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest freshwater lake
- Highest peak
- Mount Nkungwe, 2,462 m
- Access
- Light aircraft, then a boat along the shore
Seasons
Dry season (July – October)
Chimpanzees are often lower on the slopes, so treks are shorter.
Rainy months
Treks can be longer and muddier, and most camps close in the heaviest rains.
Practical tips
- Chimpanzee treks have age and health rules, and you wear a mask near the chimps.
- Good walking shoes are essential: the slopes are steep.
Questions about Mahale Mountains National Park
July – October.
Itineraries visiting Mahale Mountains National Park
More places nearby
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