Like its northerly neighbour Gombe, Mahale National Park is home to some of the last remaining wild chimpanzees in Africa.
Mahale National Park lies 120 km south of Kigoma. Dominated by Nkungwe peak (2,462 m above sea level), and with 14 different vegetation zones ranging from the lakeshore to Nkungwe summit, makes it one of Tanzania’s most diverse and dramatically distinctive national parks.

A unique combination of forests, mountains and lakes supports an amazingly diverse range of fauna. Leopard, warthog, giant squirrel, brush tailed porcupines along with at least nine species of primates are just some of the larger mammals found here. Beside an abundant birdlife you'll see many beautiful colored butterflies.



There are over 1000 Chimpanzees in Mahale. The ‘Mimikere’ community of about 70 individuals live in a territory including our camp. This group has been studied by members of Kyoto University of Japan since 1965 and as a result the Chimpanzees are accustomed to the presence of humans. This makes any encounter unforgettable and exhilarating.

The best time to visit Mahale National Park is during the dry season from May to October and the short rains of January and february.




Nkungwe Luxury Tented Camp
On a long stretch of Lake Tanganyika’s golden sandy shores, beneath the magnificent Mahale Mountains, lies the new Nkungwe Tented Camp. An uninterrupted cacophony of beetles, crickets and birds and the calls of Chimpanzees in the forest accompany your stay at Nkungwe.

Light and airy tents with en-suite bathroom and furnished in a traditional 'safari' style look out to the beach, where animals come in search of fresh grazing and water provide the perfect view right from your tent. The camp is built with comfort and luxury in mind. Whether relaxing in the lavishly furnished lounge, or on a lazy chair overlooking the lake, Nkungwe Camp is the perfect place to wind down and reflect on the wonders of your day. A simple stretch on the cushioned beds on the beach with a good book while contemplating your next adventure is always a comfort.


Activities
Besides Chimpanzees tracking, Mahale is also one of the best locations for fishing on Lake Tanganyika, experienced local fishermen will lead you to the best fishingspots, where you can catch 'sangara'- Nile Perch, and 'kuhé'- yellow belly. Most of the guests return to camp with a plentiful catch, which the chief will happily prepare for a delicious dinner.

Snorkeling in the crystal clear water of Lake Tanganyika is real recommendation. Beside a pleasant water temperature you will enjoy to see a wonderful underwater world. The lake is full with tropical fishes - the cichlids of Lake Tanganyika or well known and wanted all over the world.

boattrip
It is also possible to visit local fishing villages close to the park and get first hand experience of life in a typical African village.

Getting there
There are two ways to get to Mahale -
There is an airstrip in the park suitable for light aircraft and a boat will transfer you to and from the airstrip to the camp.

A great experience is to get on 'Liemba' - A historical ship which plies the Lake from Kigoma to Mpulungu once a week. The steamer drops you at Mgambo (Lagosa), a village close to the park where an other boat will transfer you to the camp. The steamer offers a cheaper alternative, however it operates on a strict schedule, and does not give you any flexibility on your itinerary. You can contact us for the steamer's schedule and tariffs. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any delays or cancellations by the steamer. However a boat can be arranged at an additional cost if you encounter a problem.