Mahale National park often referred to as “one of the most beautiful parks in Africa,” is located in Uvinza district, Kagoma region far west of Tanzania. The park lies on the eastern shores of lake Tanganyika which separates Tanzania from DR Congo. The protected area covers an area of over 1650 sq kms. Mahale National park was established in 1979 as a wildlife research center and later in 1985 after relocating the early inhabitants it was transformed into a national park. The early inhabitants were the Batongwe and Holoholo tribes. They were forced out of the park and now they stay on the borders of the park. Mahale national park has several unusual characteristics for instance, the park can be accessed by boat only and experienced on foot. The protected area is the only place where chimpanzees and lions coexist.
Vegetation in Mahale National park
Mahale national park is characterized by different types of vegetation types from dense tropical rainforests to miombo woodlands and lowland forests. The lowland areas of Mahale are covered in tropical rainforests which are lush. These forests are predominantly evergreen and provide a thick canopy that shelters many of the park’s animals. The higher slopes of the Mahale Mountains, the vegetation transitions into miombo woodlands. The Miombo woodlands are dominated by trees from the Brachystegia and Julbernardia genera. These woodlands are more adapted to a dry climate and experience a distinct wet and dry season. During the dry season, many trees shed their leaves, but in the wet season, they burst into greenery. Miombo woodlands support a variety of wildlife, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds, and provide an important buffer zone for the park’s core rainforest areas.
In the mountainous regions, montane forests dominate the landscape. These forests, adapted to cooler, more temperate conditions and contain a mix of tree species that thrive in the moist and cooler climate at altitude. Among these are bamboo thickets, which are prevalent in patches at higher altitudes and along rivers and streams. Bamboo provides important food for some animals in the park. The riverine forests on the shores around lakes, rivers and streams provide support to plants like palms and papyrus. These forests are important for a wide range of fauna, particularly birds, amphibians, and small mammals. They also provide crucial corridors for wildlife moving between different habitats within the park. Wetlands are found in the underlying areas in the park.
Wildlife in Mahale National Park
Mahale national park is known for harboring eastern chimpanzees and other 9 primates in addition to chimps. Some of these primates include; blue monkeys, pied colobus, vervet monkeys, red colobus, yellow baboons, and Galago species. Other animals include roan antelope, bushbucks, waterbucks, elephants and buffaloes. The park is a home to 337 bird species and most of them are Albertine rift endemic for instance; Pel’s fishing owl, Ross’s Turaco.
Activities in Mahale National park
Chimpanzee trekking
This is the most popular activity done in Mahale National park. Tourists go deep in the forest in search of these creatures. Chimpanzee trekking starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations about the activity at the park headquarters. After briefing you will be allocated to the chimpanzee family to trek and the park ranger will guide you through the forest. The trek takes 1 to 3 hours. Along the way you will see other primates like blue monkeys, pied colobus, vervet monkeys, red colobus, and yellow baboons. When the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend with them an hour
Cultural tours
Tanzania is known for having different traditions and customs of various ethnic tribes. At Mahale mountains national park meet Batongwe and Holoholo tribes. The holoholo people are found in the Kigoma and Rukwa regions. Whereas the Tongwe people are indigenous to the Mahale mountains region. Visitors can explore traditional village life, where you’ll learn about their customs, beliefs, and ways of life. This also offers visitors an opportunity to participate in traditional activities such as craft making, basket weaving, and traditional fishing methods used on Lake Tanganyika. Kigoma capital should also not be missed for its historical value. The capital was a hub for slave and ivory trade in east africa during the 19th century. It is also where Stanley found the presumed-lost-in-Africa, Dr. Livingstone, in the late 1800s.
Birding in Mahale national park
Mahale national park is home to 350 bird species including the forest birds. Some of these birds include; Russ’s turaco, giant kingfisher, African Fish eagles, Pel’s fishing owl and Crested guide fowl. Bird watching in Mahale national park is best done during the months of november and april. During this period it is easy to see resident birds in their breeding plumage and the migratory birds from other parts of Africa and Europe.
Hiking the Mahale mountains
Mount Nkungwe is the highest point of the Mahale Mountains at 2462 meters. Hiking can be arranged two days hiking up and one down while camping midway and again near the peak. For the safety of the hikers, armed ranger guides are provided to accompany the group. If you’re trekking, you must carry your own camping food or gear.
How to access Mahale National park
Mahle mountains national park can be accessed by road, air and water. By road, the park is far and routes are rough and tricky in the rainy season. You can drive from Arusha to Kigoma for 2 to 3 days and use the boat to reach the park. Travelers can also access park by flights through booking domestic scheduled or chartered flights from Kigoma, Arusha, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam that take 5 to 6 hours to Mahale Airstrip. Flights are more active in peak seasons from June to October and out of season are less regular. The park can also be accessed by water, visitors can use speed boats which take 4 to 5 hours to reach the park. Timber boats and the large steamship from Kigoma are also used. The ferry travels twice in a week and it takes 10 hours.