+255 759 902 616info@sasutoursafaris.comMon–Fri 08:30–16:30 · 24/7 online support
SASU Tours — Resilient Roots, Endless Adventures
A chimpanzee mother with her baby
National ParkWestern Tanzania

Mahale Mountains National Park

Chimpanzees, mountains and a crystal-clear lake

Best time
July – October (dry season
Recommended stay
3 – 4 days
Nearest airport
Mahale Airstrip
Main attraction
Chimpanzee trekking on Lake Tanganyika
Overview

About Mahale Mountains

Mahale is one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. The park's forested mountains rise straight from the shore of Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest freshwater lake.

There are no roads: you arrive by light aircraft and boat, trek with guides to find the chimpanzees, and relax on white-sand beaches between treks.

Size
≈ 1,600 km²
Lake
Tanganyika
Access
Flight + boat
Main attractions

What makes it special

Chimpanzee trekking

Guided treks to a habituated chimpanzee community.

Lake Tanganyika

Swimming, kayaking and fishing in clear water.

Nkungwe peak

A multi-day hike to the highest point in the park.

Wildlife & activities

What you can see and do

  • Chimpanzee
  • Red colobus
  • Red-tailed monkey
  • Blue monkey
  • Lake fish
  • Forest birds

Chimpanzee trekking

Boat access & dhow trips

Hiking

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trek

Kasiha forest

2–6 hoursModerate

Walk with park guides and trackers to find the habituated M-group of chimpanzees, then spend up to one hour watching them.

Included

  • Park guide and tracker
  • Chimpanzee permit (in packages)

Requirements

  • Minimum age
  • Face mask
  • Long trousers and good shoes

Keep your distance and follow the guide at all times.

Best time to visit

When to go

July – October (dry season, chimps lower on the slopes)

  1. January: Rainy / low season
  2. February: Rainy / low season
  3. March: Rainy / low season
  4. April: Rainy / low season
  5. May: Rainy / low season
  6. June: Good
  7. July: Best
  8. August: Best
  9. September: Best
  10. October: Best
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Rainy / low season
  • Best
  • Good
  • Rainy / low season

Recommended stay: 3 – 4 days

Location & access

Getting there

Charter flight to Mahale airstrip, then about 1.5 hours by boat to the lodges.

Nearest airports & airstrips

  • Mahale Airstrip

Where to stay

A small number of beach camps on the lake shore.

Open in Google Maps
Park fees

Entry and conservation fees

FeeAmount (USD)Notes
Conservation fee — adult non-residentOn requestRate on request (+18% VAT)
Vehicle entry feeOn requestRate on request

Park fees are included in SASU Tours packages. Current official rates are confirmed in your quotation.

Park and conservation fees are set by TANAPA, NCAA and the Zanzibar authorities and can change. Figures shown are indicative; your quotation always uses the current official rates.

Before you go

Requirements & safety

  • Minimum age for chimpanzee trekking (usually 12 years)
  • Face mask and 8–10 m distance from the chimpanzees
  • Not allowed if you have a cold or flu
  • One hour with the chimpanzees per visit
Tours & safaris

Packages that visit Mahale Mountains

Keep exploring

More destinations

All destinations
Two Masai giraffes in Arusha National ParkNational Park
Northern Tanzania

Arusha National Park

Close to Arusha town: Mount Meru, crater forest, colourful lakes and walking safaris.

Mount Meru & Momella LakesView destination
The Grumeti River with hipposGame Reserve
Western Serengeti

Grumeti Game Reserve

A private reserve on the Serengeti's western corridor, known for Grumeti River migration crossings.

Migration river crossings (June – July)View destination
A river in the western Serengeti woodlandGame Reserve
Western Serengeti

Ikorongo Game Reserve

A reserve north of Grumeti on the Serengeti border, crossed by the migration and visited by very few people.

Quiet migration countryView destination