Mahale Mountains National Park

Overview

Mahale Mountains National Park lies 120 km south of Kigoma town, on a peninsula in Lake Tanganyika on the western border of Tanzania. The park has an area of 1613 square kilometers and is dominated by the Mahale Mountains Chain running from north-west to south-east across the middle of the park, the highest peak, Mount Nkungwe, rising 2,462 meters above sea level. Its western boundary protects not only 63 kms of lakeshore but also the adjacent 1.6 km-wide strip of coastal waters. The park vegetation is mainly Miombo woodland with narrow strips of riverine forests, some rain forest and savannah which provide habitat to a variety of animal species.

Mahale Mountains like its northerly neighbour Gombe Stream, is home to some Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, with an estimated population of about 800, found in the rain forests of Mahale together with other rain forest animals including the Angolan colobus monkey and other primates. Species found in Miombo woodland include roan antelopes, sable antelopes and lichtenstein hartebeest, while the savannah provide habitat to warthogs, giraffes, grant’s zebras, hyenas and lions.

About 82 species of mammals have been recorded in Mahale, a remote road-free park accessible only by boat or light aircraft. The park is rich in bird life with over 350 bird species recorded. Mahale is bordered to the west by Lake Tanganyika, the worlds longest, second deepest and perhaps least-polluted freshwater lake, which harbours a variety of fish species, with about 250 species found nowhere else on earth. Mahale offers a variety of attractions for visitors, from tracking wild habituated chimpanzees, to mountain climbing, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking and relaxing on pristine, white, sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika

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.

Getting there

The 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.

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

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.

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.

Sand Beaches

The shores of lake Tanganyika has a beautiful unspoiled beaches

Mahale Mountain

It takes about 5hours to reach the top and during the hike one can spot different wildlife which makes your journey unforgettable.

Ujiji Historical site

Ujiji is the oldest town in western Tanzania, located about 6 miles (10 km) south of Kigoma also known as Kavele. This was an Arabic settlement during the slave trade, used to be the terminus for the old caravan route from the coast.

Ujiji has also historical significance for explorers, it is a place where burton and speke first reached the shore of lake Tanganyika in 1858. And the place where Dr living stone met Stanley in 1871, a monument known as Dr. living stone memorial has been constructed to commemorate the meeting . there is a slave route near the market.

Near the shore of lake Tanganyika lies an ancient and traditional fishing market. At night when the lake relatively calm, visitors may enjoy the romantic site of softly lit lake.

Tourism Activities

Mahale Mountains National Park has activities that give visitors opportunities to enjoy its beauty. The Park will give opportunities to do Chimp trekking, Walking safari, Boat cruising, Sport fishing and Mountain hiking.

Chimp trekking

The chimpanzee trekking takes visitors on a wild adventure through the hazy forest. Sighting can vary between 30 minutes for the first sightings to up to 3 hours.

Walking safari

Mahale is not just about chimpanzee-trekking; it offers the perfect balance of wildlife viewing where animals like roan and sable antelope and mongoose is easily seen and also sometimes lion and leopard. The park offers short and long walks in the network of strategically positioned natural trails which provide a wide range of choice to visitors.

Boat cruising

This activity enable visitors get a chance to view a spectacular beauty of the lake and lake shore full of beautiful beaches, water birds, crocodiles, hippos, otters and plant species along the shores while enjoying the cool breeze from the lake.

Sport fishing

This thrilling recreational activity is conducted in Lake Tanganyika, in which there is great possibility of getting a big catch.

Mountain hiking

The highest point of the park ; Kungwe peak with an elevation of 2462m a.s.l provide visitors with a unique sense of physical challenge when climbing to the peak. It takes about 7–9 hours to and fro from the peak.

Other Tourism Activities

Other tourism activities offered by the park includes camping safaris, (wilderness and fly camping along the beaches), snorkeling, diving, kayaking and bird watching.

Accommodation Facilities

There are various available accommodations ranging from TANAPA owned to private owned accommodations. TANAPA owns picnic sites, public campsites, special campsite and Bandas.