Mahale Mountains National Park

Introducing Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains, Tanzania’s most isolated park, is primarily a chimpanzee sanctuary, but also boasts white-sand beaches backed by lushly forested mountains.

Entry fees are US$80/30 per adult/child per day. Children under seven aren’t permitted in Mahale. Camping and park bandas can be booked through the senior park warden (PO Box 1374, Kigoma), or through Kigoma Hilltop Hotel. Guide fees are US$20 per group.

There is a park camp site (US$20) and a cluster of quite nice double bandas (US$20) at Kasiha. Bring all supplies from Kigoma. Mahale Camp (www.nomad-tanzania.com; per person all-inclusive US$505; mid-May–mid-Mar) is an exclusive camp with thatched, tented bandas without electricity or running water, although solar power and bush showers mean you still have all the comforts.

Kigoma Hilltop Hotel runs twice-weekly charter flights connecting Mahale with Kigoma, Arusha and Katavi National Park.

The MV Liemba stops at Lagosa (also called Mugambo), to the north of the park (US$25/20/15 in 1st/2nd/3rd class, about 10 hours from Kigoma). Radio park headquarters in advance from Kigoma and arrange a pick-up.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009