Wild chimpanzees, forested mountains and the clear water of Lake Tanganyika: one of Africa’s most remote and rewarding primate experiences.
Mahale Mountains National Park sits on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, a rugged range of forested ridges rising steeply from white beaches and clear freshwater. The park can only be reached by boat or small aircraft, and it is home to one of the largest wild chimpanzee populations in Africa. Researchers have studied the chimpanzees here for decades, and several communities are habituated, meaning they tolerate the quiet presence of human observers.
For a traveller who has already trekked gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, Mahale offers a very different primate experience: longer, wilder, and set against one of Africa’s Great Lakes. It is a destination for those who want to disconnect and be rewarded for effort.
Quick FactsWestern Tanzania, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, south of Kigoma.
Mount Nkungwe, at about 2,460 metres above sea level.
Chimpanzees, plus red colobus, blue monkeys, baboons and forest birds.
The dry season, roughly May to October, when trekking is easier and chimps are often found on lower slopes.
Trekking starts early. After a briefing, a ranger leads a small group into the forest, usually a couple of hours at most after setting off from camp, though the timing depends on where the chimpanzees slept. Chimpanzees move fast through the trees, and a trek can last from a short walk to several hours on steep, humid terrain. Once you find them, the usual rule is a limited viewing period at a respectful distance, with strict guidance on behaviour and health.
Visitors must be well and symptom-free: chimpanzees are vulnerable to human illnesses, and rangers will turn away anyone with a cough or cold. Pack accordingly and discuss vaccinations with your doctor. Our guide to health and safety explains general precautions.
Tanzania has two famous chimpanzee parks: Mahale and Gombe Stream. Gombe, further north near Kigoma, is smaller and is where Jane Goodall began her research in 1960; it can be reached from Kigoma by boat. Mahale is larger, more remote and generally sees fewer visitors.
Uganda offers chimpanzee trekking too, at Kibale, Budongo and Kyambura, where access is far easier and success rates are generally high. If you want a first chimpanzee experience with minimal logistics, see our guide to Kibale chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking page. If you want remoteness and a Lake Tanganyika setting, choose Mahale.
Between treks you can swim, snorkel and kayak in Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest and oldest lakes on Earth and exceptionally clear. Camps sit on the beach, often with no electricity beyond solar power and no phone signal, which is part of the appeal. Brightly coloured cichlids, many found nowhere else, make snorkelling surprisingly good for a freshwater lake.
Most visitors fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, then onward by light aircraft to the Mahale airstrip or by boat along the lakeshore. The final leg often involves a lake transfer, so expect a full travel day each way. Schedules change with weather and demand, so keep a buffer day at both ends and avoid tight onward connections.
The dry months from May to October are the main season: trails are drier, and chimpanzees are often seen at lower elevations. The wet months bring more rain, slippery paths and higher chances of missed sightings, though the forest is lush and quiet. Because chimpanzees follow fruit and food sources, no month guarantees a sighting, but dry-season success is generally higher.
Treks can be steep and humid, so a moderate level of fitness helps. Bring sturdy waterproof boots, light long trousers and sleeves, a rain jacket, a walking stick if you like one, and a small daypack. Gaiters are useful against ants. Keep camera gear in dry bags. See our packing guide for a full list.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt is in western Tanzania on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, accessible only by boat or small aircraft.
Mahale is larger, wilder and more remote; Gombe is smaller and easier to reach from Kigoma. Which is better depends on how much time and effort you want to invest.
Yes. Many East Africa itineraries combine gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, Nyungwe or Mahale.
The dry season, from about May to October, is best for trekking conditions and sightings.
You may be refused entry. Chimpanzees are susceptible to human illnesses, and rangers enforce strict health rules.
Our primate trekking collection in Uganda and Rwanda.
Explore →Easier access to chimps in Uganda.
Explore →Pair Mahale with a remote bush stay.
Explore →Parks, seasons and routes across the country.
Explore →We combine Mahale with Katavi or the northern circuit around flights and season.
