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Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park is located
in one of the most remote locations in Tanzania, on the western
border with the Congo, against the dramatic shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Accessible only by small aircraft, the park is the home of a large
chimpanzee population that is habituated to human contact.
To reach Mahale is a long journey from Arusha or Dar es Salaam and
few tourists make the journey, however the location of the park
makes the travel time and distance more than worthwhile. The mountains
reach up from white sand beaches and clear blue waters of Lake Tanganyika
which are home to a myriad of cyclids, and even hippo and crocodile.
Watching the sunset over the distant shore of the Congo, sitting
on the beach with the mountain backdrop you have the real sense
of being in the heart of Africa.
MAHALE MOUNTAINS PHOTO GALLERY
The chimpanzees that inhabit the forest directly
behind the two permament tented camps in the park are habituated
BUT are not tame and this means that sightings are not guaranteed
and finding them can take a gentle twenty minute hike if you are
lucky but it is just as likely to involve a strenuous climb to the
upper reaches of the mountain and hiking through thick bush. Whilst
hiking through the forest is a fantastic experience in itself you
must be prepared for a tough hike and a reasonable level of fitness
is required.
Trackers from the camps are sent out to try to find
the chimpanzees to help avoid possibly fruitless searches but it
is still possible that some days the chimps just cannot be found.
However knowing this adds to the excitement of the whole safari
and once the screeching of the chimps is heard, adrenaline pumps
through your veins and if you are priveledged enough to be able
to spend time with these amazing primates in their natural habitat
then you will have one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences
of your lifetime.
Luxury accommodation in an idyllic location on a
private beach is available at Nkungwe
Tented Camp.
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