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Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and remote national parks. It is world-famous for its wild chimpanzees, dramatic mountain scenery, and the shores of Lake Tanganyika. It is one of the best places in Africa to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Location

  • Country: Tanzania
  • Region: Western Tanzania
  • Along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika
  • South of Kigoma town

Size

  • Covers approximately 1,613 square kilometers

Landscape and Physical Features

Mahale National Park is characterized by:

  1. Mahale Mountain Range
  2. Mount Nkungwe (highest peak at about 2,462 m)
  3. Lake Tanganyika shoreline
  4. Dense tropical forests
  5. Rivers and waterfalls

Wildlife

Mammals

  • Chimpanzees (main attraction)
  • Red colobus monkeys
  • Red-tailed monkeys
  • Blue monkeys
  • Leopards
  • Bush pigs

Birds

  • Over 350 bird species, including:
    • Fish eagles
    • Kingfishers
    • Hornbills

Aquatic Life

  • Lake Tanganyika has hundreds of fish species, many found nowhere else

Climate

  • Dry season: June–October (best for chimp trekking)
  • Wet season: November–April

Conservation and History

  • Established as a national park in 1985
  • Created to protect chimpanzees and forest ecosystems
  • Site of long-term chimpanzee research

Tourism Activities

Visitors can enjoy:

  • Chimpanzee trekking
  • Hiking in the Mahale Mountains
  • Swimming and boating on Lake Tanganyika
  • Bird watching
  • Nature photography

Importance

Mahale Mountains National Park is important because it:

  • Protects endangered chimpanzees
  • Preserves forest and mountain ecosystems
  • Supports scientific research
  • Promotes eco-tourism

Fun Facts

  • No roads inside the park
  • Access mainly by boat or small aircraft
  • One of the most remote parks in Tanzania