Where to stay in Mahale Mountain National Park
2 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Mahale Mountain National Park guide
Overview
Mahale Mountains National Park lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. It was established in 1985 and covers about 1,613 km² of rugged, forested mountains that rise from white beaches to more than 2,400 m at Nkungwe peak.
There are no roads into the park, so visitors arrive by plane or boat and get around on foot. The lower slopes are covered in tropical forest that belongs to the forests of central Africa, and higher up there is bamboo and montane grassland.
Mahale is one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. Researchers have studied the chimps here since 1965, and one community is habituated to people. Treks through the forest are combined with swimming in the clear lake, dhow trips and lazy days on the beach.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Chimpanzees
The habituated M group, with more than 50 chimpanzees, can be visited on guided treks. Groups are small and time with the chimps is limited to one hour.
Other wildlife
Red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and yellow baboons live in the forest. Lake Tanganyika holds hundreds of fish species, many of them found nowhere else.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: July to October, during the dry season, when the chimpanzees often come down to the lower slopes.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Jul – Oct | Dry season | The best chimpanzee trekking. |
| Nov – Feb | Short rains | Some camps are open. Trails can be slippery. |
| Mar – May | Long rains | Most camps close. |
Treks can be steep and hot. Bring good shoes and water.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Nyerere International (DAR), Dar es Salaam | International arrivals | Charter flights to the Mahale airstrip. |
| Kilimanjaro International (JRO) | Northern Tanzania safaris | Charter flights, often combined with Katavi. |
By road
There are no roads into the park. From the airstrip, a boat takes you along the lake to the camps. A slow ferry and water taxis also run along the lake from Kigoma.
Entrance & Fees
Tanzania National Parks charges a conservation fee per person for each 24 hours in the park, paid electronically before or at the gate. From 2026/27 the tariff is quoted in Tanzanian shillings.
| Visitor | Adult | Child (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | TZS 204,400 | TZS 51,100 |
| Expatriate / resident foreigner | TZS 102,200 | TZS 25,550 |
| Tanzanian citizen | TZS 5,000 | TZS 2,000 |
Children under five enter free. Vehicle, camping and activity fees are extra, and VAT may be added, so confirm the total when you book.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Tanzania National Parks tariff system (2026/27).