Mahale
Mountains National Park lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western
Tanzania. Named after the Mahale Mountains range that is within its borders,
covers an area of 1 613 km² and is located about 128 km south of Kigoma town on
the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika.
Though
it is well-known for chimpanzees and baboons, Mahale Mountains National Park
has also savannah adapted species of East and South Africa, forest adapted
species of West and Central Africa or Congo Basin animals. Among them are the
giant squirrel, red-legged sun squirrel, brush-tailed porcupine, Angolan black
and White-Colobus (which are regarded to be a new species in this area),
Bushy-tailed mongoose, and sharp’s grysbok. Besides the Chimps, Leopard, Lion,
Kudu, Eland, Buffalo, Roan and Sable antelope, and a host of other game wander
through this reserve.
WHY VISIT MAHALE:
1. A chance to watch
chimpanzee in the wild
2. A heaven for Nature-loving
tourists specialized in bird’s plants, butterflies or fresh water fish
3. Rugged scenery: mountains,
waterfalls, a view of the lake as far as the Congo
4. A great feeling of
solitude (only a couple of hundred visitors a year)
5. An exceptionally varied
destination as a whole: Opportunities to combine watching the wildlife and
enjoying the superb scenery with tranquility, hiking, mountain treks and diving
in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. (with a varied fauna of freshwater
fish)
6. Beach along Lake
Tanganyika
7. Sun set on the Lake
horizon
WHAT TO DO:
1. Chimp tracking (allow two
days)
2. Hiking to the Park’s
highest point
3. Camping safaris
4. Snorkeling
5. Ports fishing
6. Canoeing
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The
dry season (May -October) is the best period. During this period, 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. However, Mahale Mountains
National Park is accessible all year round. A visit in the rainy season can
also be a memorable experience, made remarkable by views of the neighboring
country DR Congo across the water and by incredible lightning storms that light
up the lake at night.
GETTING THERE:
Accessible by road and
boat
Charter flight
