Mahale Mountains National Park covers an area of 1613 square kilometers and is located in western Tanzania, adjacent to Lake Tanganyika. Similar to the nearby Gombe Stream National Park, the Mahale Mountains are a sanctuary for wild chimpanzees, with a population of around 800.

Tracking chimpanzees along the Mahale Mountains is an incredible experience. Guides are adept at spotting freshly made nests from the previous night, partially eaten fruits on the ground, and recently deposited feces in the lush vegetation. Following these clues, they lead on-foot visitors deeper into the forest, where butterflies flit in the dappled sunlight. Suddenly, you may find chimpanzees nearby, grooming each other’s glossy fur, vocalizing, or effortlessly swinging through the canopy.

While chimpanzees are the main attraction, the slopes also host a variety of forest animals, including spotted red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and a colorful array of bird species. You can follow the routes taken by the local Twa people to worship the mountain spirits, trekking through the mountain rainforest zone where the Angola colobus monkeys gather. Afterwards, you can bathe in Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest, second-deepest, and least polluted freshwater lake, with unbelievably clear water supporting around 1000 fish species, before returning by boat.

Mahale Mountains National Park

Top Reasons to Visit: Sanctuary for wild chimpanzees

Continent: Africa

Country: Tanzania

Region: Kigoma Region