Mahale Mountains National Park

Visited: Sep. 2023 Reviewed: Jul. 05, 2024 Submitted in:

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit the Mahale Mountains, and it was an experience I will never forget. Nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania, the Mahale Mountains National Park is a true gem for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed account of my journey: 1. Arrival and First Impressions: The journey to Mahale Mountains started with a flight to Kigoma, followed by a scenic boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. The stunning landscapes and pristine beauty of the area were immediately captivating. Upon arrival, I was greeted by friendly guides and staff who made me feel welcomed and excited for the adventure ahead. 2. Accommodation and staff: The staff were attentive, and the food was delicious, featuring a mix of local and international cuisine. 3. Activities and Highlights: The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the chimpanzee trekking. The guides were knowledgeable and passionate, sharing insights about the chimpanzees and their behaviors. Observing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat was both thrilling and humbling. Their interactions, playful antics, and sheer presence left a lasting impression. In addition to chimpanzee trekking, I enjoyed hiking through the lush forests, taking boat rides on the lake, and swimming in its refreshing waters. The diverse flora and fauna, coupled with the stunning landscapes, made every activity an adventure. 4. Wildlife and Nature: The biodiversity in Mahale Mountains is astounding. Besides chimpanzees, I spotted various species of monkeys, birds, and even a few elusive forest creatures. The dense forest, clear streams, and towering peaks create a unique ecosystem that is both vibrant and serene. 5. Cultural Experience: Interacting with the local communities around the park added a rich cultural dimension to the trip. Learning about their way of life, traditions, and the challenges they face was enlightening. The warmth and hospitality of the people made the experience even more special. 6. Overall Experience: My tour to Mahale Mountains was a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery. The natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and cultural experiences made it a truly unforgettable trip. I highly recommend visiting Mahale Mountains to anyone looking for a unique and enriching travel experience.

One of my favorite spots in Tanzania, this park is a bit of a slog to get to (on light aircraft via Tabora and Katavi, then by dhow on Lake Tanganyika), but totally worth the journey. Probably the best chimp trekking experience I've had on the continent, and a fantastic overall experience to boot. The chimp trekking is somewhat strenuous (it's called Mahale *Mountains* National Park), but if you're fit, it's quite enjoyable, albeit HOT. The jungle is fascinating in its own right (with fascinating insects, as well as other primates such as colobus monkeys), but the time with the chimps is absolutely incredible. Overall, I think gorilla trekking is tops for primates in Africa, but this is a close second. We stayed at Greystoke Mahale on the shores of the lake. The chalets look like they came out of the pages of Robinson Crusoe and are fun, funky and comfortable. One night there was a roiling storm that came from DRC, and we got to listen to waves crashing into the beach while watching one hell of a light show - just an added bonus to our stay. The beach is also nice and while swimming has risks (crocs and hippos live in the lake), puttering around the shallow water with snorkel gear is nice and a good way to cool off on a hot day. This is also home to the very best sushi I've ever had. A few times a week, the camp has permission to fish, and they come back with kuhe, which is then made into sashimi, sushi and later, dinner. Out-of-this world! All in all, it's a very unique, very special place. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Deep inside Tanzania, along the shore of lake tanganyika, lies Mahale National Park. A park famed for "chimping". A bit interior and expensive to visit, our stay was at the greystoke mahale lodge, which is set in the park. From the mahale airstrip the lodge is only accessible by boat on the beautiful lake tanganyika. After an hour of amazing scenery during the boat ride we arrived at the lodge. We were welcomed by resident warthogs. The facilities here are top notch and after an excellent meal we rested paving energy for our trek. Prepared for some long trekking, we put on our safari boots, jungle trousers, packed food and carried some bottled water. We came for chimping but deep in to the trek we saw a wide diversity of flora and fauna, troops of monkeys crisscrossing through the branches, picturesque arrays of colored birds chirping over us completing the scenery.The gallery of trees, lush green vegetation around us was also a sight to behold. After hours of trekking our talented tracker Hassan led us to the chimpanzees. This was the payoff. Habituated chimpanzees of over 100 plus, named group M. It was amazing to see them together. The complex intelligent creatures were unperturbed by our presence. We could only smile and take pictures of them--a joyous sight indeed. Its sad, however, since only 1hr in a day is allowed in the chimps presence. Apart form chimping we did some fishing as our camp was located near the shore of lake tanganyika and some boat riding. There is a beautiful waterfall with an awesome pool where you can swim. The trip was a bit expensive but if you want privacy, tranquility , excellent scenery and awesome trekking, then this is the place.