Mahale Mountains National Park
The Mahale Mountains, famous for its large chimpanzee population that is well acclimatized to human contact, is located in western Tanzania on the dramatic shores of Lake Tanganyika. The forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains are overwhelming and the park area of 1,613 square kms (1,005 square miles), extends to the sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika. Although only accessible by a light aircraft due to its remote location, the up close sighting of the endangered chimpanzees of this park, in their natural habitat, is a lifetime adventure.
The habitat combines rain forest, grasslands, alpine bamboo and woodland and apart from the chimps, also hosts other species of primate, including black and white collobus, red collobus and red-tailed monkeys. Activities here include tracking endangered chimpanzees and walking in the forest, swimming in the waterfalls and the lake and drifting on a dhow.
The best time to visit is between May and October
Mahale Mountain National Park
It is located in southwestern Tanzania on the beautiful sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika. The park is located 120 kilometers south of Kigoma town, and is only accessible by boat service or charter plane. The park altitude rises from 773 meters at Lake Tanganyika to around 2462 meters at the top of the mountain range at Nkungwe Peak. Mahale National Park is 623 square kilometers, 30 times the size of Gombe Stream National Park. Mahale Park status encompasses the Mahale Mountain ranges, 63 kilometers of beautiful soft sandy beach and 1.6 kilometer wide of Lake Tanganyika.
Though it is well-known for chimpanzees and baboons, Mahale Mountains National Park has also savannah adapted species of East and South Africa, forest adapted species of West and Central Africa or Congo Basin animals. Among them are the giant squirrel, red-legged sun squirrel, brush-tailed porcupine, Angolan black and white-Colobus (which are regarded to be a new species in this area), Bushy-tailed mongoose, and sharp's grysbok. Besides the chimps, leopard, lion, kudu, eland, buffalo, roan and sable antelope, and a host of other game wander through this reserve.
Having more than 550 plant species, Mahale is rich in plants. Researchers believe that at least 1,000 flower plants are found within the national park boundary. The plant species have been a major influence for the life of chimpanzees, who utilize 328 food items from 198 plant species. Some of these plants are used by chimpanzees as medicine and appetizers. Different birdlife like the red-collared widowbird, crested guinea fowl, Ross's Turaco, parrots, speckled mouse birds, Crown-eagles, bee-eaters and rollers have been recorded here. The best time for forest walks in Mahale is during the dry season (May to October). The light rains of October or November also present no real obstacle to visitors.
Accommodation
1. Mahale Mango Tree Hostel
2. Greystoke Mahale Camp
3. Nkungwe Luxury Tented Camp