Mahale Mountains National Park

Measuring an area of some 1600 sq. km, Mahale Mountains National Park in remote western Tanzania is home to one of the world’s largest population of wild chimpanzees.

• Arguably the best place in Africa to see chimpanzees in the wild
• Attractive lush rainforest rising up from the waters of Lake Tanganyika
• Stay in one of East Africa’s iconic camps on an idyllic white sand beach
• Kayaking, swimming & dhow safaris on the fresh water lake

There are few natural environments more seductive than Mahale, and there is no place on earth better to watch chimpanzees in the wild. It is a remarkably beautiful and unspoilt area: lush, tropical mountains rise from the pale sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika to an altitude of more than 2400 metres. Rivers tumble down waterfalls to the shoreline, through fairy-tale forest valleys, providing stunning hiking terrain.

Amongst many other mammals, more than 1,000 wild chimpanzees range through this rich habitat. In the crystal waters of the lake over 250 unique species of fish are to be found, including many endemic cichlids. There are no roads for 50 miles around Mahale: man can only enter on foot or by boat.

Hundreds of colourful butterflies and forest birds dart across sunlit paths and otters are sometimes seen close to the lakeshore. Warthogs and bushpigs also forage along these paths, whilst elephant, buffalo, roan, sable, kudu and eland are all found within the forest. Lion and leopard are known to hunt in the area. The branches of the trees are home to giant and red-legged squirrels, as well as excitable troops of vervet, red colobus, black and white colobus and white spot nose monkeys.

Bird watching is a real treat at Mahale with new species being regularly recorded: bee-eaters, rollers and crowned eagles are frequently seen, as well as the brightly coloured Ross’s turaco within the forest.

Stays of 3 or 4 nights at Greystoke Camp are usually partnered with a safari in Katavi National Park with flights to/from Arusha, or Ruaha National Park with flights to/from Dar es Salaam.