Travel Guide Mahale Mountains National Park

Thirty times larger than Gombe Stream, the park extends about 50 km from north to south, with Lake Tanganyika forming its western boundary. The Mahale mountain range forms the eastern fold of the Great Rift. The entire western slope of these mountains is particularly rainy (1,900 mm per year on average, sometimes 2,600 mm). Many valleys host rivers and waterfalls. The range forms a sort of island of rainforest on a drier area of sparse woodland called miombo by the locals, named after the Brachystegia trees, which are closely spaced and about 10m high. This is the last eastern remnant of the huge forest that covered the continent from west to east over 2 million years ago. More than 550 species of plants grow here.Climbing Mount Kungwe (2,462m), which can be done in two days, or walking on the main ridge of the range are two very attractive possibilities because, in addition to the abundant wildlife encountered, the view over the lake is splendid.Chimpanzees. The most remarkable animal in the park is without doubt the chimpanzee. Approximately 1,000 primates, or about twenty groups, share the area. Since 1961, many teams of researchers, especially Japanese, have come to study them. Other species include the guib, blue duiker, grysbok, hairy-tailed mongoose, porcupine, Angola's bay colobus and guereza colobus (a very distinct subspecies), lions (few in number, but on the rise again), leopards and buffalo. Touracos, hornbills, francolins, crowned eagles, fish eagles and other assorted birds inhabit the forest. On the drier eastern slope, elephants, warthogs, giraffes, roan antelopes, wild dogs, hyenas and lions live.Seasonality. The best time to visit this park is from June to October. Be sure to ask about boat return days and times so that you don't get stuck for long periods of time, and have to pay park fees unnecessarily. Also take all the food you need with you as there is nothing to be found on site. Camping is allowed on the beach.