Experience the magic of Mahale Mountains National Park on Lake Tanganyika, the southernmost range of chimpanzees in Africa. This unexplored gem in Tanzania is home to over 1,000 wild chimpanzees in a unique habitat, 75% of which remains unexplored. The national park not only impresses with majestic chimpanzees, but also with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including many exotic plants that give the Mahale Mountains National Park a unique charm.
Your expedition journey begins with a propeller plane from Arusha to the airstrip at Mahale National Park. Enjoy breathtaking bird's eye views of Tanzania's diverse landscape. Daily excursions in Mahale Mountains National Park offer fascinating chimpanzee tracking, while sundowner boat trips offer breathtaking sunsets over Lake Tanganyika. Boat trips also offer the opportunity to fish, swim and snorkel in the beautiful Lake Tanganyika.
The extraordinary Greystoke Mahale, idyllically located on a small bay of Kangwena with a beautiful sandy beach on the crystal-clear Lake Tanganyika, transports you into an indescribable world. Feel like Robinson Crusoe or Tarzan without sacrificing any comfort. Allow yourself to be pampered by the exceptional luxury and first-class services of Greystoke Mahale.
Immerse yourself in this unique safari adventure in which untouched nature and luxury merge into an unforgettable experience.
The day begins with excited anticipation of the upcoming adventure in Mahale Mountains National Park. You will be picked up from your accommodation* early in the morning in order to reach Arusha Airport** promptly at 7:00 a.m. A small propeller plane from Excel Air (12 people) awaits us there, which will take us on a flight of around 3.5 hours (500 km) to the Mahale Mountains National Park. Departures are scheduled for Monday and Thursday.
During the flight we make several stops to pick up other travelers in the national park. In Tabora we take a short break to refuel the plane. We are fascinated by the breathtaking bird's eye view of Lake Tanganyika and lost in thought about the "Mansoko", the "forest people" as the local population calls the chimpanzees.
Landing at the Mahale airstrip offers us an impressive view of sparkling Lake Tanganyika in the sunlight. This second largest lake in Africa and the second deepest in the world is a truly impressive natural wonder.
Upon arrival we are warmly welcomed by the Greystoke Mahale guides. A 90-minute boat transfer with a traditional dhow takes us to the exclusive lodge. As we drive along the coast of Lake Tanganyika, we admire the green Mahale Mountains, with the imposing 2,462 meter high Nkungwe in the background. Greystoke Mahale appears out of nowhere in an idyllic bay on Kangwena sandy beach.
After settling into one of the six exceptional bandas with two-story structure and palm canopy, you will have time to recover from the trip and explore the camp's surroundings. In the late afternoon we take a scenic boat trip on the dhow. The opportunity to swim and enjoy a cocktail at sunset provides the opportunity to get to know the other guests at the camp. Before the exquisite three-course menu in the evening, we gather in the open-air bar for an aperitif and end the day around the campfire under the starry sky on Lake Tanganyika.
Greystoke Mahale Camp's stylish accommodation and the soothing sounds of the surrounding mountain rainforest put us into a deep and restful sleep for the upcoming chimpanzee tracking the next day.
On the second day we wake up to a refreshing breeze from Lake Tanganyika, accompanied by the sounds of the rainforest and the rising sun. We wake up rested and feel the magic of the Mahale National Park. After breakfast together, we receive instructions from our guide about the special rules of conduct in the Mahale Mountains National Park. The tension is rising as we wait for word from the trackers who will tell us the exact location of the chimpanzee groups.
Mahale National Park covers 1,650 square kilometers and is the southernmost range of the endangered East African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Over 1.000 of these fascinating primates live here. Mahale National Park is considered one of the best places in the world to see chimpanzees in the wild. While tracking chimpanzees, we have the unique opportunity to study the natural habits and social structures of these primates.
Our guides, who have deep knowledge and respect for the environment, carefully guide us through the terrain to ensure our encounter is not only exciting but also respectful. After the chimpanzee trackers give us the location, we decide whether to start from Greystoke in the morning or afternoon or take the boat to the starting point so as not to waste any time.
We follow the specially trained guides deep into the green rainforest and listen to the calls of the chimpanzees, also called “pant-hoot”. With a bit of luck, in addition to the chimpanzees, we will also discover other primates such as red colobus monkeys and steppe baboons as well as various animal species such as genet cats, bush hogs and warthogs, blue duikers, bushbucks and possibly even elephants and buffaloes.
In the distance we hear the calls and the rustling of leaves and branches as the chimpanzees move through the trees. The unique encounter with our closest relatives in the wild, surrounded by this extraordinary nature, triggers an overwhelming feeling of happiness. The chimpanzees watch us curiously and seem to welcome the presence of the guides and trackers, who have developed a close bond with them. This behavior does not surprise us after the explanation of the experienced guide Butati Nyundo, who has been working as a ranger with the chimpanzees for over 12 years. They know each other very well and meet regularly in the Mahale rainforest.
Time flies and the hour-long stay with the chimpanzees feels like an eternity. After the chimpanzee gang has withdrawn, we breathe deeply and the positive tension falls away. Today we decide to walk through the rainforest back to camp as this route is shorter.
Back at Greystoke we enjoy the afternoon with the amenities of the camp and the view of Lake Tanganyika. In the evening we look forward to the sundowner boat tour and refresh ourselves with a swim in the crystal-clear Lake Tanganyika.
The sunset is reflected in the crystal clear water before setting as a fiery red ball on the horizon of the DR Congo on the opposite shore of Lake Tanganyika. After a delicious dinner, we fall into our comfortable beds happy and content.
Today another fascinating highlight awaits us: chimpanzee tracking, followed by an afternoon full of adventure fishing on the majestic Lake Tanganyika. The day begins at the Greystoke Mahale with a sumptuous breakfast that not only promises culinary delights, but also gets us in the mood for the adventure ahead.
As we prepare for chimpanzee tracking with this culinary delight, experienced guides are at our side to share their expertise with us. Together with our knowledgeable guides, we will once again venture into the impenetrable jungle of Mahale Mountains National Park, a southern retreat for an impressive community of over 1,000 chimpanzees. Due to the intense experiences of the previous day, there is a possibility that our hike will be demanding and sweaty. But the reward is great: we immerse ourselves in untouched nature and discover on our way the chimpanzees' abandoned sleeping nests, which are rebuilt every evening by the intelligent primates.
The calls of the chimpanzees accompany us on our journey, and on the banks of the river we watch as they remain in a relaxed position. An extraordinary behavior awaits us: the "high-five" or „grooming handclasp“ of Mahale's chimpanzees, in which grooming partners hold hands and stretch vertically upwards while their free hands groom each other's fur . This unique gesture has so far only been observed in the chimpanzees of this area and it fascinates us deeply.
After this impressive chimpanzee tracking, we head to Lake Tanganyika in the afternoon to try our luck at fishing. The waters of Lake Tanganyika are home to an astonishing diversity of over 350 fish species, 95% of which are endemic. The colorful cichlid that remains in aquariums also lives here, as well as hippos and crocodiles complete the impressive picture of this water landscape. Today luck seems to be on our side and we catch various "yello snapers" which are served to us freshly grilled in the evening as a delicious addition to dinner
As we look at the dancing flames of the open fire, we reflect on the experiences of this exciting day in our minds.
At breakfast we received news from the trackers that the chimpanzees had retreated deep into the picturesque mountain slopes. A sign that we can enjoy the morning to the fullest in the luxurious ambience of Greystoke Camp. After the strenuous hikes of the past few days, now would be the perfect moment for a relaxing leg massage and exploring the other amenities of this unique accommodation.
Another fascinating expedition awaits us in the afternoon, during which we can observe the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The fascinating subspecies of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, derives its uniqueness from its bronze-colored visage and lush, long fur, which distinguishes it from other subspecies or "common" chimpanzees. Its name honors the outstanding German African researcher Georg Schweinfurth, who left a lasting mark on the continent of Africa in the 19th century through his groundbreaking work. We take the time to fully appreciate these special moments, knowing that these are the final moments of our magical journey to Mahale.
Relaxation awaits us as we swim in the warm Lake Tanganyika while admiring the breathtaking panorama of the Mahale Mountains and anchoring these moments deep in our memories.
The crowning conclusion of our trip takes place around the open campfire, surrounded by numerous stories and experiences. Maybe there will be a final party on the sandy beach of Lake Tanganyika. In the midst of this unforgettable experience, we all agree:
"Here in Mahale I was truly in Africa for the first time and was enchanted by the magic of the Mahale Mountains National Park."
It's time to say goodbye as one of the last great adventures in East Africa comes to an end. We get up early to be ready in time for our boat to leave at 7:15am, with our plane already heading for the Mahale runway. We turn our gaze back out the window and watch as the sunlight turns Lake Tanganyika into a deep turquoise blue.
There is the option here to change to a flight to Zanzibar, but we decide to continue our journey as planned and fly about 3 hours to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. Your safari ends or your connecting program begins at Arusha airport. (see Notes and Tips).
The bottom line of this unique adventure is the happiness of meeting our relatives in the rainforest and gaining a glimpse into their world. By realizing a long-held dream of meeting the chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park, we had an unforgettable experience. We are confident that we will eventually return to this magical place in Tanzania because a part of us will always remain here.
Notes and additional information: It is important to consider this information to ensure that the trip goes smoothly and that all participants meet the required conditions.
Our tip: The expedition trip to the Mahale Mountains National Park can be wonderfully combined with the original Katavi National Park and the Gombe Stream National Park as well as with other safari tours or a beach stay in Zanzibar. From Arusha you can visit the northern national parks with the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and the Tarangire National Park. You are welcome to spend a few more days at the foot of Kilimanjaro and immerse yourself deeply in the Maasai culture. Explore the little-visited, rugged Ruaha National Park and the wild Julius Neyere National Park, as well as the impressive Mikumi National Park. We are happy to help with desired safari extensions and with the selection of accommodation.
Our individual and personal travel planning is a non-binding offer and is based on our contractual conditions. We refer to the relevant passages in our contract terms for the statutory limitation period for the assertion of claims, the statute of limitations for claims and other obligations to avoid loss of claims. We reserve the right to adjust the trip to equivalent hotels/lodges/camps etc. due to local changes.