Mahale National Park

Location: Eastern Shore of Lake Tanganyika, Uvinza District, Kigoma Region, Tanzania

Area: 1,650 km²

Overview

Derives its name from the Mahale Mountains range within its borders, traditionally inhabited by the Batongwe and Holoholo peoples. When the Mahale Mountains Wildlife Research Center was established in 1979, the people were forcefully evicted from the mountains to make way for the park which opened in 1985, despite being highly attuned to the natural environment and having no impact on the ecology.

The park lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the Uvinza District of the Kigoma Region, Lake Tanganyika is the World’s longest, second deepest, and least polluted freshwater lake-harbouring an estimated 1000 fish species. With several unusual characteristics namely, it is one of the two protected areas for chimpanzees in the country, and it harbours the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees, as a result of its size and remoteness, the chimpanzees flourish.

A place where chimpanzees and lions co-exist. The park has no roads and must be experienced on foot as there are no roads or other infrastructure within the park boundaries, and the only way in or out is by boat on the lake.

The park is accessible by air with direct scheduled flights between the park and Arusha town. Camps in the park close between March to 15^th May and there are no scheduled flights. Another means to access the park is private charter flights organized from the major cities of Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, or Zanzibar. The airstrip at Mahale is fit for light aircraft only with a capacity of 12 passengers.

The best time to visit the park is in the dry season (May – October) when chimpanzees are likely to be seen in big groups, the sunshine illuminates the fish in the lake and the beach is an inviting place to relax.

Accessible all year round with the rainy season a memorable experience.

Other attractions include forest fauna and flora (Angola Colobus, Red Colobus, Red-tailed and blue monkeys, Forest Birds, Alpine Bamboo, Montane Rain Forest, etc.), the beach along Lake Tanganyika, local Fishermen, and sunset on the Lake horizon.

The Uniqueness of this Park

• • Home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, a population of roughly 900 in number.

• • A place where chimpanzees and lions co-exist.

• • Lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika the World’s longest, second deepest, and least polluted freshwater lake-harbouring an estimated 1000 fish species.

Accommodation Options

• • Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge (10 beach tents in doubles/twins)

• • Greystoke Mahale (6 thatched Bandas with ensuite bathrooms)

• • Nkungwe Luxury Tented Camp (8 tented rooms on the edge of the beach)

Activities at the Destination

Chimpanzee tracking (min 2 days), Lake Tanganyika Boat trips, Birding and Guided forest walks, a visit to the neighbouring fishing village – Katumbi (primary school, clinic, and community), kayaking, boat safaris, lake fishing, cultural tour and hiking to the park’s highest point “Nkungwe” (8,069ft) held sacred by the local Tongwe people, snorkeling and camping safari.