The Mahale Mountains is set deep in the heart of the East African interior, nowadays is accessible by road to the head quoter ( Bilenge HQ) only 193 km from Kigoma Town where Stanley Uttered that immortal greeting “Doctor Livingstone, I presume”
Like its northerly neighbour Gombe, Mahale Mountains National Park is home to Africa’s last remaining Wild Chimpanzees. Around 1,000 of these fascinating animals roam the isolated rainforest of Mahale, a chain of dramatic peaks draped in lush vegetation falling to Lake Tanganyika’s beaches far below.
Tracking the Chimps of Mahale is a magical experience. Our guide eyes will pick out last night’s nests-shadowy clumps high in a gallery of trees crowding the sky. Scraps of half-eaten fruits and fresh dung become valuable clues, leading you deeper into the forest.
Mahale is also known as Nkungwe, after its largest mountain, which rises to 2,460 m.(8,069ft)above sea level, and is held sacred by the local Tongwe people. At the same time, the Chimpanzees are the star attraction, the slopes of Mahale support a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of colobus,red-tailed and blue monkeys and a kaleidoscopic array of colourful forest birds.
To a hike on the trail of the chimpanzees, you can trace the Tongwe people’s ancient pilgrimage to the mountain spirits, trekking through enclaves of rainforest to grassy ridges chequered with alpine bamboo. After a hot hike in the forest, the clear water of the lake, home to 250 species of fish then you can be refreshed at the beach or take a boat to the deep water where you can swim.
Location: Western Tanzania, bordering Lake Tanganyika.
Size : 1,613sq km(623 sq miles)
Activities: Chimp trekking(allow at least two days),hiking, Camping safaris, snorkeling, Sport fishing, Kayaking, Tongwe culture tour.
Please contact us for more information about: chimpanzees trekking, hiking, camping safari, accommodation rates, and park entry fees.
