Mahale National Park is a beautiful ecosystem in the southern part of Tanzania, it is home to great apes the chimpanzee who live within the park freely without being captivated, it possesses one of the biggest populations of the primate species in East Africa. Apart from the Chimpanzee Mahale National Park acts as home to yellow baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, lions, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, waterbucks, and over 300 species of birds existing in the National park. It is the only place in East Africa where lions coexist with the Chimpanzees.
The impressive location and topography of the national park make it angelic it straddles along the shores of Lake Tanganyika one of the longest freshwater lakes and deepest in East Africa. The Mahale mountains are not to miss along which is a growing riverine forest, Miambo woodland, and a Savannah vegetation which hosts most of the park mammals, amphibian species, reptiles, and birds. The presence of these several attractions gives a chance to participate in tourism activities as below.
Chimpanzee tracking is the major activity of the national park, there are habituated chimpanzee groups in the national park known as M’group, the primates have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA they live in groups of 100 members or less led by a male alpha, the primates are characterized by their social behaviour, intelligence and the ability to use tools, they are messy eaters and love to nest in the tree canopies. Chimpanzee tracking begins in the morning with a briefing from the park rangers on how to conduct yourself while with the primate, it takes 2-3 hours to do the activity led by a park ranger. An hour is allowed while with the primates after which you return to meet your guide.
Bird watching in Mahale National Park takes place in the forest area and along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, there are over 300 species of birds present in the national park example bird types include African fish eagles, sunbirds, African harrier hawks,pelicans, to mention a few, birding experiences are best enjoyed through the well-distributed trails of the forest area, and through the Savannah, it is wise to pack binoculars, long-sleeved shirts, and trousers, waterproof covers for phones and cameras among other items you may need to use.
Mountain Mahale, the mountain is usually hiked while looking for primates however they are hiked for 2-3 days to reach the summit of the mountain, it is placed at 2,462 meters above sea level, mountain Nkungwe is the highest point of the mountain range, hikers begin with a briefing from park rangers, the first night is always halfway after which finish the hike.
Cultural tours from the national park, visit the local villages living around the foothills of mountain Mahale, visitors can meet a team of speaking people also known as the Holoholo and Batongwe in the surrounding villages, take a tour around Kigoma town, guests will have a great moment experiencing the cultures of the people of Tanzania and knowing their way of living.
In conclusion, there are a variety of things that can be done in the national park and with available accommodations for travelers.