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    Two chimpanzees seated on the ground of the dense green jungle of the Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

    Luxury Safaris in
    Mahale Mountains
    made for you

    The search for chimpanzees by ancient waters
    Vector art of a front-facing gorilla face with bold golden line work

    Primate tracking

    See chimpanzees up close

    Gold yacht icon

    On the water

    Head out on the lake

    Vibrant bird life

    Go bird spotting

    Stunning lake-side wildlife

    The famous Mahale Mountains sit beside one of the longest fresh water lakes in the world, Lake Tanganyika. What makes this location extra special is the presence of chimpanzees in the thick forests that cover the mountains. Jane Goodall made the area famous and has done much to highlight awareness of the chimpanzees and promote their conservation.

    Close observation by these scientific studies over the years have made the chimpanzees approachable, allowing the unique and rare experience of getting up close to our closest cousins in the animal kingdom, which is the main attraction of coming to this area of Tanzania. The park is one of two protected areas for chimpanzees in Tanzania, with the other being Gombe Stream National Park. In Mahale you’ll find the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees, which is flourishing. And unlike many other parks in Africa, there are no roads or other infrastructure here, meaning many of your wildlife experiences will be on foot or on the lake by boat.

    The chimpanzees are definitely not the only feature here, and the lake itself is quite beautiful and home to abundant bird and aquatic life. Sunsets here are absolutely breathtaking. The park is a wonderful combination of different habitats, from bamboo forests and woodlands to lush rainforests and montane forests. When it comes to primates, there are thought to be nine other species living here, besides the chimpanzees. Look out for blue monkeys, red and pied colobus, yellow baboons and vervet monkeys too.

     

    Highlights

    Learn about the conservation efforts that have helped to transform the region

    Enjoy the rare experience of getting up close to chimpanzees

    Discover the bird and aquatic life that flourishes around Lake Tanganyika

    Absolutely fantastic sunsets over Lake Tanganyika and unforgettable sightings of chimpanzees and a variety of other exciting wildlife, make a visit to the Mahale Mountains a photographer's dream.

    Jody van Merode headshot

    Jody van Merode

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Mahale Mountains

    There are many incredible places to stay in Mahale Mountains. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

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    Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

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    Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

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    Responsible travel

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Mahale Mountains tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Discover more of Tanzania

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    Arusha

    Arguably the Safari Capital of East Africa, Arusha is a bustling city in northern Tanzania and the main hub for those who are going to be embarking on a safari in this extensively game rich country.

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    Katavi National Park

    For safari experts, the isolated Katavi National Park comes highly recommended. With a combination of grassland plains, marshland, rugged hills, woodland, lakes and rivers, this multifaceted region of Tanzania is home to a dense and varied wildlife quotient - including predators.

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    Kilimanjaro Climb

    The mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, or ‘The Roof of Africa’, is the continent’s highest mountain. To reach this dormant volcano’s snow-capped peak, hikers have to embark on a challenging yet epic journey. As you ascend the mountain you will camp from point to point, enjoying staggering sights along the way.

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    Lake Manyara

    Lake Manyara has an abundance of animal species ranging from baboons, blue monkeys and bushbuck in its evergreen forests, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra on its flood plains. Its acacia woodland is popular amongst its leopards and tree-climbing lions. One of the main draws to the park is its variation of birdlife.

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    Mwiba Wildlife Reserve

    Marking the southernmost point of the wildebeest’s migration loop, Mwiba Wildlife Reserve is where the herds spread out across the wider region to calve between January and March. There is only one permanent camp option so you’re guaranteed unbeatable privacy and exclusivity. There is also the possibility of setting off on night drives.

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    Ngorongoro Crater

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    North Serengeti

    The North Serengeti forms the border with the equally famous Maasai Mara of Kenya. This is the region where the herds are at their most concentrated during the migration, and it’s where you’ll see the infamous river crossings.

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    Nyerere National Park

    Nyerere National Park is the largest game reserve in all eastern Africa. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region remains relatively untouched by humans but expect to see a huge concentration of elephants (almost half of all of Tanzania’s). With the mighty Rufiji River flowing through the reserve, visitors can also spot crocodiles and hippos.

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    Ruaha National Park thumbnail

    Ruaha National Park

    Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania and East Africa. This pristine area has the same wildlife density and diversity of the Kruger, but with only around 1% of the visitors, so privacy is a given.

    Discover more
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    Serengeti National Park

    The Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s most famous national parks. It is host to Africa’s Great Migration where huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope travel around before making their way into Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara.

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    Singita Grumeti

    Singita Grumeti is Tanzania’s largest private reserve. The reserve is exclusive to Singita properties, which means privacy is a given. The region offers unrivalled game viewing experiences, and especially during the Great Wildebeest Migration between the months of June and July.

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    Tarangire National Park

    Tarangire National Park is home to huge herds of elephants. There are also over 550 bird species including the Yellow-collared Lovebirds and the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Kori Bustard. Depending on the time of the year, you can also see the migratory wildebeest.

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    Zanzibar

    The African island of Zanzibar, paired with its Arabian history, makes for an excellent safari add-on. With intriguing architecture evident in the main town, Stone Town, you will be able to experience a mix of culture and landscape with pristine beaches and crystal clear waters.

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    Meet your Africa team

    When to visit

    The dry season between June and October is best for the chimps who search for fruits lower down the slopes; it can be hot though. The green season from November to March is ideal for colourful photos and incredibly clear views over the lake.

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    Chimpanzee spotting

    June–October

    Clear views main icon

    Clear views

    November–March

    Green season main icon

    Green season

    January–February

    When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

    When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

    Read more

    Plan your trip to Mahale Mountains

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Mahale Mountains, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Herd of zebra in the grasslands in the golden light, TanzaniaHot air balloon over Marrakech in the sunset light.

    Plan with peace of mind

    When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

    If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

    Find out more
    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline