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Where to go, what to do while in Tanzania.

MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Lying on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, on the extreme west of Tanzania you will find Mahale National Park covering about 1,600 sq.km in size. Located in the remote western part of Tanzania, Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the most picturesque places in Tanzania.

Mahale is one of the two (2) protected areas for chimpanzees in the country; the only place where the chimpanzees and lions co-exist.

The park is teeming with life, rivers and waterfalls are everywhere and around the shoreline of the lake, are some of the best white sandy beaches anyone could imagine. Mahale is located close to the equator, making the climate warm and humid throughout the year. Evenings remain warm, unlike parks found in the north, cooling down to a temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius, while average daily temperatures get to be about 25 degrees.

Covering about 1,600km² of the Mahale Mountains, this national park is home to around 1,000 chimpanzees. Most significantly, researchers have habituated one group of Mahale chimps – the Mimikire clan – since 1965.

Attractions/ what to see and do

 

  1. Wildlife viewing/drives

Over 60 chimps live in the Mahale Mountains. There is also the opportunity to observe several other wild animals.

  1. Views of Lake Tanganyika

There is the opportunity to explore the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, which is said to contain about 1000 different species of fish, including 250 species of tropical fish.

  1. Primate tracking

This is the most sought after activity at Mahale, particularly the endangered chimpanzee. A trek through the rainforest takes guests to Mahale’s chimpanzees. Guests can sit quietly and watch the chimps go about their daily lives; grooming, wrestling, bickering, foraging and mothering.

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Mahale is not just about chimpanzee- trekking, it offers the perfect balance of wildlife viewing as well as relaxing at the lake. Kayaking, snorkeling and fishing on the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika adds an extra dimension to a visit to Mahale.

For those looking to spend more time in the forests, hiking is an option. Climb (2-3 days) to the peak of the Mahale Mountains, Mt. Nkungwe (2,462 m).