Call646-895-8368
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?

Safari expertise illustration image

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 illustration image

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 illustration image

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

Arusha thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Katavi National Park thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Kilimanjaro Climb thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Lake Manyara thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Ngorongoro Crater thumbnail

Ngorongoro Crater

A great introduction to Tanzania, this nature wonderland offers you incredible sightings of the famous big five as well as a whole host of excellent plains game.

Discover more
North Serengeti thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Nyerere National Park thumbnail

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.

Discover more
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
Serengeti National Park thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Singita Grumeti thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Tarangire National Park thumbnail

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.

Discover more
Zanzibar thumbnail

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 more

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.

Chimpanzee spotting main icon

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