Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania: A Complete Guide
A Comprehensive Guide to Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Mahale Mountains National Park is found in western Tanzania, south of the town of Kigoma. It borders Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest, second deepest and least polluted freshwater lake and home to an estimated 1000 fish species.
The park is known amongst visitors for its large population of chimpanzees. Mahale is paradise for other primates also, not just chimpanzee. The park’s splendour consists of rivers and waterfalls and white sandy beaches around the Lake’s shoreline.
The thrilling trip leads through hazy woods. Hikers also see other creatures on these hikes such as roan and sable antelope, warthog mongoose, and occasionally lion and leopard. There are also crocodiles in the park although they are rare.
You may also spot here the densest population of primates in Tanzania such as red colobus, golden baboon, red tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. You can also see hippos swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
The park has about 355 species of birds and is renowned as a birders paradise. On the sandy beaches of the Lakeshore visitors can witness pelicans and various storks as well as malachite kingfishers pied king fishers fish eagles Livingston’s turacos narina trogons crested guinea fowls blue cheeked bee and many more interesting species.
The lake is also home to approximately 250 endemic fish species. You can also get the chance of snorkelling in the shallow waters of the Lake and swim with the various coloured fishes.
Mahale Mountains Wildlife Highlights
Chimpanzees and other primates such as red colobus, yellow baboon, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. In addition to primates, roan and sable antelope, mongoose, warthog, hippos and sometimes even lion and leopard. Some of the noted birds are malachite kingfishers, pied king fishers, fish eagles Livingston’s turacos, narina trogons, crested guinea fowls and blue cheeked bee and many more colourful birds.
Best Time to Visit Mahale National Park
May to October is considered the best season to visit the park. Chimpanzees can be spotted in groups, the lake illuminates in the rays of the sun so the colourful fishes.
November to April is the Wet Season. During this time the waterfalls are in full flow and birding is at its peak. Colorful migratory birds can be easily seen in an abundant number.
However, Mahale can be accessible all round the year.
Getting to Mahale Mountains National Park
The Mahale Mountains National Park can be accessed throughout the year by road, water and air.
Road: From Kigoma town the park can be accessed by road 128km (5hrs drive) south, the road running south-east of Lake Tanganyika shore
Air: Using charted flight (Zantas air, Coastal aviation, Air Excel and safari air link) from all major cities and towns
Water: Also can be reached by ship (9-10hrs cruise) via Lake Tanganyika to Lagosa point and then by using boat with 30 minutes cruise to the park. Also there is a public transport at Rukoma village or Mgambo village where you can hire a local boat or arrange with park for boat pick up, or public transport to Park Headquarter.
Distance from Arusha: to Kigoma it is roughly 1,020 km (633 miles)