Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is situated in the western part of Tanzania, bordering Lake Tanganyika. It is renowned for its population of wild chimpanzees and its stunning natural beauty.

The park covers an area of approximately 1,613 square kilometers (623 square miles), encompassing a diverse range of habitats including montane forests, grasslands, and alpine meadows. The towering Mahale Mountains dominate the landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.

Mahale Mountains National Park is home to one of the largest populations of wild chimpanzees in the world, with an estimated population of over 1,000 individuals. Habituated to human presence over several decades of research and conservation efforts, these chimpanzees offer visitors a unique opportunity to observe them up close in their natural habitat.

In addition to chimpanzees, the park is home to other primates such as red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys. The surrounding forests are also rich in birdlife, with over 350 species recorded within the park, including many endemic and migratory species.

Visitors to Mahale Mountains National Park can participate in guided chimpanzee trekking expeditions led by experienced park rangers. These treks involve hiking through the forest in search of the chimpanzee groups, and once located, visitors can spend a designated amount of time observing them from a safe distance.

In addition to chimpanzee trekking, other activities available in the park include hiking, birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing in Lake Tanganyika. The park also offers opportunities for cultural encounters with the local communities, including visits to traditional fishing villages.