Mahale
Mahale is like nowhere else in Tanzania. It is about as remote as you can get anywhere in the world, the nearest road to the only two accommodation options is around 100 kilometres away. The only way into the park is by light aircraft followed by a 90-minute traditional dhow boat journey along Lake Tanganyika which is an incredible way to arrive! As you drift slowly and gently along the lake your view of the park is of towering hills and mountains covered in the most vivid green lush forest, a true inland paradise! Accommodation here is set on sandy beaches just on the fringe of the forest looking out on Lake Tanganyika which only adds to the joy and wonder of this otherworldly place.
Although there are nine species of primate residing here the main draw is to see the habituated group ‘M’ of chimpanzees. The habituation and study programme, of group M, has taken over 20 years and affords the opportunity for the very few who visit to see these incredible animals on foot and very close.
Every morning, trackers go out early to find the chimps whereabouts and report back to camp. Then, after breakfast, with your expert team of guides, you head into the jungle, along the forest paths until you are surrounded by their calls. You will get to spend one hour with the group, just feet away, watching them eat, groom, bicker, and wrestle. This is a truly magical and once in a lifetime experience.
There are other activities on offer here, Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest fresh-water lake, and the world’s second in both volume and depth, and you can also spend time here exploring on both kayak and in a traditional dhow. There is no better way to freshen up than diving off the side of the boat into the gin clear waters and, in the shallow depths (from the safety of the boat!), you can see hippos walking through the depths. You can also enjoy guided treks on winding forest trails where you may see some of the eight other primate species, insects not found anywhere else and huge variety of medicinal plant life but, if you just want to relax on the beach, there is no finer place to do so.
Mahale is an experience like no other, in a place like nowhere else on earth. Words and pictures do no justice to this phenomenal place, we could not recommend it more!
