Discover the untouched beauty of Mahale National Park with Licaon Safaris, where every moment is a step into the extraordinary. Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, Mahale is a remote paradise known for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and fascinating wildlife.
Mahale National Park offers a truly unique safari experience, with its remote location and stunning landscapes. This hidden gem is home to one of the largest populations of chimpanzees in the world, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Choose Mahale if you seek an authentic African safari adventure off the beaten path.
Your journey into Mahale begins at the park’s entrance, where you’ll be greeted by the sight of towering mountains and dense forests. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, and a myriad of bird species. However, the highlight of any visit to Mahale is the opportunity to track and observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. As you explore further, you’ll come across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including the endemic Tanganyika sardine. Boat safaris on the lake offer a unique perspective of the park’s wildlife, with the opportunity to see animals from a different vantage point.
Charter flights, often combined with Katavi, land at the Mahale airstrip, followed by a boat transfer of about an hour and a half along the lakeshore to the camps.
It is also possible to travel from Kigoma by boat along Lake Tanganyika, a long but scenic journey of several hours.
Explore popular animals that easy found on this world-class destinations
Pan troglodytes
Piliocolobus kirkii
Cercopithecus mitis
Mahale is home to one of the largest known populations of wild chimpanzees. Trek through the forest with expert trackers and spend an unforgettable hour with a habituated community.
Cruise along the lakeshore in a traditional dhow at sunset, with the forested mountains rising straight out of the crystal-clear water.
The clear waters of Lake Tanganyika are full of colourful cichlid fish, many found nowhere else, and are perfect for snorkelling and kayaking from the beach.
Walk through the lowland forest to waterfalls and viewpoints, looking for red colobus, blue monkeys and forest birds, or take on a longer trek towards Nkungwe Peak.
Catch-and-release fishing on Lake Tanganyika can be arranged by the lakeside camps.
The best time to visit, with sunny days, calm lake conditions and chimpanzees often found on the lower slopes towards the end of the season, making treks shorter.
Heavy rain makes the forest trails slippery and the chimpanzees harder to reach. Most camps close during the long rains, from around mid-March to mid-May.
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Mahale is one of Tanzania's most remote parks, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Most visitors arrive on charter flights, often combined with Katavi National Park, landing at the Mahale airstrip. From there, a boat transfer of about an hour and a half along the lakeshore takes you to the camps. It's also possible to travel from Kigoma by boat, a long but scenic journey.
Sightings are very likely, especially from July to October, when the chimpanzees often come down to the lower slopes of the forest, but they can never be fully guaranteed because the chimps roam freely. Mahale's experienced trackers follow the community every day, and most visitors staying several nights see them, often more than once.
Treks can take anything from under an hour to several hours, depending on where the chimpanzees are feeding. Once you find them, time with the chimps is usually limited to one hour to protect them. The forest trails can be steep and slippery, so a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes are recommended.
The lake near the camps is crystal clear and popular for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking, with colourful cichlid fish found nowhere else in the world. Always follow your camp's advice on where it's safe to swim. Lake Tanganyika is one of the world's oldest and deepest lakes, and a sunset dhow cruise on it is a highlight of any visit.
Most camps close during the long rains, from around mid-March to mid-May, when heavy rain makes the forest trails difficult. The best time to visit is from July to October, during the dry season, when chimpanzee sightings are at their best and the lake is calm. The rest of the year is possible but wetter.
