Located on Lake Tanganyika’s eastern shoreline, Mahale Mountains National Park is another chimpanzee sanctuary, established as a national park in 1985 which covers an area of 1,577 sq km and lies at an altitude of over 1,800m, extending up to 2,460m at Nkungwe Peak. Mahale is simple awesome – remote, exotic, untouched and captivating! Emerald peaks and white sands lapped by the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika make this a stunning place.

There are no roads in the Park, and all trails lead through its glades and distances are only open to those who will walk them. Numerous pathways and tracks allow visitors to enjoy truly beautiful forest walks and the chance of encountering some of the many different inhabitants. The only way to reach here is by boat from Kigoma.

The park is largely made of montane forest, grassland and alpine bamboo and it is here amongst this vegetation mosaic that is home to an estimated 1,000 chimpanzees which have been the focus of much research by scientists from around the world. It is a biological fact that we humans share more that 98% of our genetic make-up with the chimps and coming face to face with these creatures is an experience of a lifetime! Tracking and spending time with one of the groups will be among the most fascinating and rewarding experiences.

Besides the chimps, you may also see the Park’s other wildlife species including baboons, red colobus and black & white colobus monkeys, white spot nose mangabeys, porcupine, zebra, buffalo and roan antelope. Birds seen here include fish eagle, kestrel, kingfisher, barbets and starlings.