Chimpanzees
Wild Chimpanzees Up Close
Trek with expert trackers to a habituated chimpanzee community and spend an hour in their world.
06°10′S 29°50′E Lake Tanganyika · 17:30
Walk Into the Wild
Mahale Chimpanzee Trekking in Tanzania.
With a chimp family 1 h Each trek, face to face
Plan My Mahale Safari5-Star Rated · 20+ Years in Tanzania · Almost No Other Visitors
What is Mahale Mountains National Park?
Mahale Mountains National Park is a remote park on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, known as one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. Forested mountains rise straight from the lake to over 2,400 metres, and a habituated chimpanzee community has been studied here by researchers since the 1960s. There are no roads: guests arrive by light aircraft and boat. Yera Journeys plans private Mahale safaris, often combined with Katavi, the Serengeti or Zanzibar.
Why Mahale
Walk Into the Wild. Meet Chimpanzees in Mahale.
You hear them before you see them: hoots and calls rolling through the forest. Then a chimpanzee steps onto the path, a mother passes with a baby on her back, and for one hour you sit quietly and watch our closest relatives groom, play and argue.
When the trek is over, you walk back to a white beach on Lake Tanganyika, one of the oldest and deepest lakes on Earth. Swim, take a dhow out at sunset, and fall asleep to waves on the shore with forested mountains behind you.
Mahale is hard to reach, and that is its magic. There are only a few camps and almost no other visitors, so the forest, the lake and the chimpanzees feel entirely yours.
Mahale
Chimpanzees in the forest. White sand on the lake. No one else in sight.
What you get
Six Benefits of a Mahale Safari With Yera
Lake
Beaches on Lake Tanganyika
Clear water, white sand and dhow sunsets on one of the world's oldest and deepest lakes.
Solitude
Almost No Other Visitors
One of the least visited parks in Africa, with only a few small camps.
Forest
More Than Chimpanzees
Red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, forest birds and butterflies on every walk.
Combine
Pair It With Katavi
Fly in via Katavi for huge buffalo herds and hippos, the perfect contrast to the forest.
Guiding
Expert Trackers and Guides
Local trackers follow the chimpanzees every day, so your guide knows where to start.
Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale
How Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Early start | Trackers set out at dawn to find the chimpanzees, then radio your guide. |
| The trek | Walk through the forest for 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on where the chimps are. |
| With the chimps | Spend up to one hour with them, keeping your distance and wearing a face mask to protect them. |
| Rules | No flash, no food, quiet voices, and age limits set by the park. |
| Afternoon | Relax on the beach, swim, take a dhow or kayak, or walk to a waterfall. |
Chimpanzees are wild, so sightings are very likely but never guaranteed. Stay three nights or more for the best chance.
Things to do
Things to Do in Mahale
In the forest
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Forest and waterfall walks
- Monkey and bird watching
- Multi-day hikes to Nkungwe peak
On the lake
- Sunset dhow cruises
- Kayaking along the shore
- Snorkelling among colourful cichlid fish
- Fishing, where camps offer it
Rest
- Beach afternoons
- Swimming in clear water
- Dinners on the sand
Culture
- Lakeside fishing villages
- Boat trips along the shore
- Kigoma and Gombe nearby
Where to stay
Mahale Lodges and Camps
Beach Camps
Small camps on the sand, with the forest behind and the lake in front.
Park Bandas
Simple, comfortable rooms near the park headquarters at Kasiha.
Katavi Camps
Combine with a few nights in nearby Katavi before or after.
Kigoma
Lake hotels for Gombe trips and boat transfers.
Available in Classic, Signature or Bespoke styles. Facilities vary by camp; we confirm everything in writing.
When to go
Best Time to Visit Mahale
July to October
Dry season and the best time. Chimpanzees often move lower down the mountains, so treks can be shorter.
June and November to February
Good trekking with greener forest and fewer guests. Trails can be muddy after rain.
March to May
Long rains. Most Mahale camps close, so we plan around what is open.
At a glance
Mahale Mountains National Park Facts
| Location | Eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, western Tanzania |
|---|---|
| Famous for | Wild chimpanzees, forested mountains, lake beaches |
| Highest point | Nkungwe, over 2,400 m |
| Wildlife | Chimpanzees, red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, forest birds |
| Getting there | Light aircraft from Arusha (often via Katavi) or Kigoma, then by boat; no roads |
| Ideal stay | 3 to 4 nights |
| Best time | July to October |
| Chimp trekking | Age limits apply; we confirm for each guest |
Mahale safaris
Mahale Safari Ideas
Combine Mahale with
Best Places to Add to a Mahale Safari
Katavi
Huge buffalo herds and hippos, a short flight away.
Gombe Stream
Where chimpanzee research began, by boat from Kigoma.
Serengeti
Add the migration and big cats in the north.
Zanzibar
Finish on the Indian Ocean.
Our promise
Plan With Confidence
No cost to start
Your Mahale safari proposal is free, with no obligation.
Revise until it's right
Change camps, flights and days before you confirm.
Clear price in writing
Every inclusion and exclusion stated before you pay.
Questions travellers ask
Mahale Chimpanzee Trekking FAQs
How do you get to Mahale Mountains National Park?
By light aircraft from Arusha, often via Katavi, or from Kigoma, followed by a boat ride along Lake Tanganyika. There are no roads into the park.
When is the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale?
July to October, the dry season, when chimpanzees often come lower down the mountains. Most camps close from March to May.
How long do you spend with the chimpanzees?
Up to one hour once you find them. Treks to reach them take from 30 minutes to a few hours.
How hard is chimpanzee trekking in Mahale?
Moderate. Trails can be steep and slippery, so a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes help. Your guide sets a comfortable pace.
Is there a minimum age for chimpanzee trekking?
Yes. The park sets age limits for chimp trekking. We confirm the rules for every guest when planning.
Mahale or Gombe for chimpanzees?
Mahale is bigger, wilder and more remote, with beautiful beach camps. Gombe is smaller and easier to reach from Kigoma, and is famous for Jane Goodall's research. You can visit both.
What should I wear for chimpanzee trekking?
Long trousers, a long-sleeved top in neutral colours, good walking shoes and a light rain jacket. Bring a face mask, which is required near the chimpanzees.
Begin your journey
Let's Plan Your Mahale Chimpanzee Safari
Tell us your dates and dreams. A private proposal reaches you within 24 hours.