Two distinct features make Mahale Mountains National Park unique on the safari circuit. Firstly, it is, alongside Gombe National Park, home to heavily researched and habituated troops of chimpanzees. Second, it is the only place where chimpanzees and lions coexist.

Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot.  Within the park there are no roads and the only access is via boat. As you can imagine the whole park is hilly and the main dominating feature is the Mahale Mountains. This mountain chain runs SE to NW through the park with it’s highest peak at 2,500 above sea level on mount Nkungwe. As the mountains fall into the lake they are surrounded by beautiful beaches of white sand.

The number one draw of the Mahale Mountains National park is to track the native chimpanzees. There are an estimated 800 chimpanzees roaming these parklands and whilst sometimes it can be difficult to trek these enchanting creatures, every step in the right direction is a fascinating reward. As you push through the canopies of fragrant trees with bright butterfly wings flitting past your face suddenly you are upon a family of chimpanzees. The little ones tumble around the ground whilst the adults sit back to back grooming each other, unaware of the human eyes watching. It truly is a stunning experience and one that will feed your memory forever and a day.

Yet despite the chimpanzees, the Mahale Mountains National Park has so much more to give. The rich slops are simply teeming with beautiful birds, exotic flora and decadent fauna. Blue monkeys swing through the low lying branches and red Columbus chatter to each other from the tree tops. Hippos and crocodiles wallow in the banks and schools of fish dance through the cool streams.

Sightings of the chimps in the Mahale Mountains National Park cannot be guaranteed, but it is  normal to see them on most days and you would be unlucky not spot them over the course of a few days. More usually, you’ll be able to sit and watch them foraging, grooming, tussling, bickering and taking care of their young. Sitting in the forest, watching chimpanzees getting on with their daily lives is an unforgettable animal encounter that makes the safaris in Mahale Mountains National Park one of the most unique and spectacular in Tanzania.