Mahale Mountains National Park
Overview
Tanzania Parks
By Philip Briggs
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.
In Mahale, chimpanzees are the star attraction. There are roughly 800 chimps in the park, of which about 60 individuals of the Mimikere group are very habituated to people. The research and habituation in Mahale is a Japanese project that goes back as long as Jane Goodall's research in neighboring Gombe NP.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Mahale's chimps are the main attraction, but the park supports a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkey, and many colorful forest birds and butterflies. Warthog can sometimes be seen around the camp.
Scenery
The park is a chain of wild, jungle-draped peaks towering almost 2km above the shore of the azure water of Lake Tanganyika. The geography of this classic Rift Valley lake with its steep escarpment and white sandy beaches, is best appreciated on a dhow trip. A hike to a beautiful waterfall in the rainforest is another activity on offer.
Weather & Climate
Not surprisingly, the altitude in the Mahale Mountains varies a lot. This affects the average temperatures, which get progressively cooler the higher you go. The other main influences on conditions are the two clear-cut seasons: the Dry (May to October) and the Wet (November to April). The former brings plenty of warmth and blue skies, while in the latter, the humidity skyrockets along with the rainfall.
Best Time to Visit
Tracking chimpanzees is considerably easier at the tail end of the Dry season (from July to October). This is when the animals favor the lower slopes of the mountains, and the forest tracks are firm underfoot. In the wetter months, the chimps are harder to find. That said, brimming waterfalls and an explosion of butterflies make an exploration at this time worthwhile.
Want to Visit Mahale Mountains NP?
Safari Tours to Mahale Mountains NP
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![9-Day Luxury Western Tanzania Chimp Trekking and Safari]()
9-Day Luxury Western Tanzania Chimp Trekking and Safari
$8,991 to $12,013 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Katavi NP, Mahale Mountains NP (Chimps), Arusha (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 72 Reviews
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8-Day Serengeti Canvas & Mahale Chimpanzee Safari
$7,240 to $10,710 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Serengeti NP, Mahale Mountains NP (Chimps), Arusha (End)
Kusini Safaris
5.0/5 – 62 Reviews
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![17-Day Kili Marangu Route, Mahale, Selous and Mikumi]()
17-Day Kili Marangu Route, Mahale, Selous and Mikumi
$4,800 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Lodge
You Visit: Moshi (Start), Kilimanjaro Airport, Marangu Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro), Mt Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro), Dar es Salaam (City), Mahale Mountains NP (Chimps), Kigoma (Town), Selous GR, Mikumi NP, Dar Es Salaam (End)
Gombe Track Safaris & Tours
4.5/5 – 49 Reviews
