Luxury Safaris in
Mahale Mountains
made for you
Primate tracking
See chimpanzees up close
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
Jody van Merode
Senior Travel Designer
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
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Mahale Mountains
Why book with Jacada?
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.
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.
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.
Trip inspiration
Discover more of Tanzania
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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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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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Serengeti National Park
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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.
Discover moreMeet 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.
Chimpanzee spotting
June–October
Clear views
November–March
Green season
January–February
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.
We have traveled with Jacada four times; to Patagonia, Tanzania, Colombia and a longer trip to northern South America. Each time we had a wonderful trip and felt very supported throughout. We stayed in world class lodgings in amazing places and had experienced guides. Never once did we wait to be picked up. On the rare occasion that there were…
Our first safari experience in Tanzania with Jacada—and certainly not our last! Jamey Lowis curated our dream trip with meticulous care, anticipating every detail and going above and beyond our expectations. The exceptional service, attention to detail, and unforgettable experiences made it more than we could have ever imagined! What a great way to be introduced to Africa.
All the coordination from the time we entered the country being toured until we left was handled in a seamless and professional manner. Every accommodation was first class, and all employed staff members in the overnight venues were truly professional. The only exception was the airline chosen for internal flights. Their performance was very uneven and disjointed.
We booked our travel to Tanzania and Kenya for our 25th wedding anniversary. Jacada travels This one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken. They were always with us throughout the trip without being overbearing and constantly in communication as we were traveling with younger kids. The places that jacads suggested Were top-notch and we felt like we were…
Jacada were amazing all the way from designing our trip to guiding us throughout the journey. Our trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar was truly a once in a lifetime experience. We had knowledgeable, passionate guides on safari and stayed in beautiful accommodations throughout.
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.
