Mahale Mountains National Park Tour & Safari Packages
Mahale Mountains National Park, is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Lake Victoria basin on the north-western shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. The parks terrains is dominated by hills and valleys of two major mountain ranges, which rise from the central section of Lake Victoria: West Usambara Range, which runs north-south along the western shores of Lake Tanganyika, and Ushira Hills, a spur running eastwards from the northern shore. At its current shape and location, it was formed after two separate volcanic eruptions
Popular activities
- Chimpanzee trekking safaris
Chimpanzee walking safaris are a prevalent activity in Mahale Mountains National Park. The Mahale Mountains National Park is home to highly endangered species of chimpanzees and provides the best experience of being closer to the Chimpanzee. The chimpanzee safari paradise gives a stunning experience of chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
- Birdwatcher’s paradise
This activity is one of the best experiences during the trip to Mahale Mountains National Park, and it’s popular with photographers and bird lovers. The park is a haven to over 600 species of birds, of which almost half are endemic, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. A ranger will accompany one on the bird-watching safari, where one will learn about the forest and its birds. The birds give a dramatic impression of the place. Bird-watching tours are operated from the end of February to mid-June and from mid-August to the end of November. There are two types of birdwatcher’s paradise: walking tour and boat tour. The birds includes, spot flanked barbet, Pe’s fishing owl, eastern yellow-billed hornbills, white-backed night heron, and the palm-nut vulture providing a lifetime experience of great memories.
- Beach living
Mahale Mountains National Park is also home to beaches, and there are two, The Mahale Beach, located in the north of the park, and Litein Beach, located in the middle of Mahale Mountains National Park. Mahale beach is one of the best beaches to stay in during the trip to Mahale Mountains National Park. One can stay in a tent or bungalow. The beach is located near the forest, and many hot springs give one a relaxing and healing experience. There are also fishing opportunities at Mahale Beach, where one can go fishing on the beach.
How to get there
The national park is accessible by road and boat. The national park area lies about 3 hours from Kilimanjaro International Airport. One can drive directly to the park with a 4×4 vehicle since the area is remote.
Where to stay
There are several camps located within Mahale Mountains National Park, but each camp has its standards of facilities and comfort. There are also hotels in Mwanza city and Arusha, which are accessible by road transport. The national park offers chimpanzee walks, but it’s a limited number, so booking is highly advised. One can also enjoy boat rides in Lake Tanganyika and forest walks.
Best time to visit
Mahale Mountains National Park is open throughout the year, but some parts of the park may be closed due to the water level, such as beaches and roads. The best time to visit Mahale Mountain national park depends on which activity one are looking forward to doing. The best time for chimpanzee walking safaris is from January through April when the chimpanzees are found on land. The other season is July through September when one can enjoy chimpanzee ocean walking safaris. The best time for birding is from February through June and October through December.
