Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge

The fascinating Mahale National Park is in the Mbali Mbali Mountains National Park, in western Tanzania, on Lake Tanganyika’s eastern shore.

The best way to get to the park is by air, taking one of the regular, scheduled flights from Arusha and Dar es Salaam (three to five-hour flight time) to the Mahale Airstrip available. These flights run between June and October; the flights are less frequent outside of these times.

Mahale Mountains National Park is famous for one of Africa’s precious chimpanzee populations. The park fees paid by visitors support the work to protect these wonderful animals and their habitat.

Visitors can expect Mahale to be hot and humid, with little difference throughout the year.

The Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is in the Mahale Mountains, by Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania.

Visitors should choose the dry season, between May and October, as the famous chimpanzees are easier to see. Although this is high season, this park never really gets crowded. Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is usually closed from the start of March until the end of May each year.

While the Mahale Mountains National Park can – in theory – be visited most of the year, the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge normally closes in March, April, and May.

Guests at the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge can book either a double or twin-bedded beach tent.

Tents at the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge feature a deck/verandah, power points, an en suite bathroom with shower, laundry service (free), mosquito nets, tea/coffee, and free Wi-Fi.

The Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge offers a bar, free Wi-Fi, battery charging, a free (limited) laundry service, a library, an airport shuttle, and a restaurant. The lodge accepts credit cards.

Yes, the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge welcomes children of all ages. Rates vary according to age. The minimum age to participate in chimpanzee trekking in Mahale National Park is 12 years.

Yes, though, special dietary requirements or allergies must be notified to the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge at the time of booking. The remote location can make it impossible to accommodate last-minute requests.

Please note that a limit of three house beverages per person per day is included in the rate. (Additional drinks are chargeable.) Unlimited water and soft drinks are included.

No, the water from the tap at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is unsafe for consumption. Please use bottled mineral water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

Yes, the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is a safe place to stay.

Yes, the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge has several activities, trips, and services available, some at an extra charge. These include boating, fishing, bird-watching, guided walks, visits to a local village, kayaking, chimpanzee trekking, and swimming.

The rate at the Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge includes accommodation, three daily meals, three house beverages per day (all extra drinks are chargeable), unlimited water and soft drinks, laundry (limited service), the Tourism Development Levy, boat safari to and from the Mahale Airstrip, one chimpanzee trek per day, one boat safari per stay. The boat safari last approximately two hours and will either be a river cruise, trying a bit of fishing and observing hippos, or a visit to Katumbi, a local fishing village, to learn about their culture. You can pay extra for the second trip if you want to do both.

Specifically excluded are services of a flying doctor/medical evacuation, travel Insurance, staff tips, any TANAPA conservation or park entry fees, TANAPA Concession fees, fishing excursion/extra boat safari ($85 per person), and any extra meals ($35 per meal) or drinks ($10 per drink, premium drinks may be more).

The Mbali Mbali Mahale uses solar energy, enhancing its low impact on the environment.