Mahale Mountains National Park lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Uvinza District of Kigoma Region in Tanzania. Named after the Mahale Mountains range that is within its borders, the park has several unusual characteristics. First, it is one of only two protected areas for chimpanzees in the country. (The other is nearby Gombe Stream National Park made famous by the researcher Jane Goodall.)
Mahale Mountains National Park harbours the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees and due to its size and remoteness, the chimpanzees flourish. It is also a place where chimpanzees and lions coexist. Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot. There are no roads or other infrastructure within the park boundaries, and the only way in and out of the park is via boat on the lake. Visiting the park is a gratifying experience as you have a chance to carry game drive, chimp-trekking, hiking, snorkeling and bird watching.
The establishment of this Park was a reflection of the government commitment to preserving the chimpanzee population as well as an emulation of the efforts by Japanese researchers who pioneered to conduct research on primates including chimpanzees.
Getting there
The park can be accessed throughout the year by road, water and air.
By Road: From Kigoma town the park can be accessed by road 128km (5 hrs drive) south, the road running south-east of Lake Tanganyika shore.
By Air: Mahale Airstrip is situated east of the islet Karilani, and northeast of the marina Mahale Mountains National Park Harbor. It is saved by chartered flight (Zantas air, Coastal aviation, Air Excel and safari air link) from all major cities and towns.
By Water Mv Liemba making regular stops for travelers , Also it can be reached by ship (9-10 hrs cruise) via Lake Tanganyika to Lagosa point and then by boat with a 30 minutes cruise to the park. Also there is public transport at Rukoma village or Mgambo village where you can hire a local boat or arrange with a park for boat pick up, or public transport to Park Headquarter.
Park Attractions
Mahale Mountains National Park is famous for chimpanzees, However there are other attractions like the Lake Tanganyika which is the second oldest freshwater lake in the world ,the second largest by volume and the second deepest in all cases after lake Baikal in Siberia. Other attractions include beautiful varieties of waterfalls like Ntale, Kasiha and Sansa , wild animals like warthogs, mountains and sand beaches
The chimps are always seen in the forest jumping from one branch to another, from one tree to another and other times on the ground playing, grooming and eating. The park displays a very scenic environment due to the rivers and waterfalls.
Lake Tanganyika
This longest and deepest lake in the world with magnificent views of the shores provides a unique visitors experience especially when carrying snorkeling or resting on the shores while watching aquatic birds and at sundown the red sky taking a thousand words.
Climate
The park experiences two rainy seasons, the short rains (mid October-November) and heavy rains (March to mid may) with an annual range of 1,500 – 2,500mm. The park is located at an altitude between 750 and 2,250 meters.
