A Wilderness Unlike Any Other
Mahale Mountains National Park covers 1,613 km² of pristine montane forest and lakeshore wilderness on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania.
Established in 1985
Mahale Mountains National Park was officially gazetted in 1985, following decades of chimpanzee research by Japanese primatologists led by Prof. Toshisada Nishida, who began studying the Kasoge community of chimpanzees here in 1965.
The park was created to protect one of the largest known populations of wild chimpanzees, as well as the extraordinary montane and lakeshore ecosystems of the Mahale range.
Today, Mahale is recognised as one of Africa’s most important wildlife sanctuaries and one of the best places in the world to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Protecting Wild Chimpanzees
The park is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) in partnership with international conservation organisations. Strict guidelines govern visitor numbers and behaviour to minimise impact on the chimpanzee communities.
Only 24 visitors per day are permitted to trek with chimpanzees, ensuring an intimate experience while protecting the animals. Guides maintain a minimum distance of 8 metres from the chimps at all times.
Conservation efforts also protect the park’s unique biodiversity, including over 355 bird species and rare flora endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Beyond the Chimpanzees
While Mahale is world-famous for its chimpanzees, the park is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife. Lions, leopards, African wild dogs, buffalo, and elephant all roam the park’s forests and lakeshore areas.
Lake Tanganyika — the world’s second deepest lake — teems with over 350 endemic cichlid fish species, making it one of the world’s great freshwater biodiversity hotspots. Crocodiles and hippos inhabit the shallows.
The birdlife is extraordinary, with the park recording over 355 species including many rare Albertine Rift endemics.