When is the best time to visit Mahale Mountains National Park?

On our scoring, the strongest months are July, August, June. That score is computed from three years of rainfall and temperature: drier months concentrate animals around water and make the roads easier, which is what actually drives game-viewing. November scores lowest — usually because it is the wettest. That does not make it a bad month, but it is a different trip: greener, quieter and less predictable.

What is the weather like in Mahale Mountains National Park in September?

Typically around 58mm of rain across the month, with daytime highs near 28°C. These are averages from the last three years of records, not a forecast — East African rainfall varies a great deal year to year.

How do I get to Mahale Mountains National Park?

You fly. It is roughly 25.4 hours door-to-door from Arusha including transfers — there is no sensible road option.

How many nights should I spend in Mahale Mountains National Park?

Two to three nights is where most people land, and three is better than two. One night means you arrive, sleep, and leave — you spend more of it driving than looking. The single most common planning mistake we see is too many parks with too few nights in each.

Accommodation is the biggest lever by a distance — ultra-luxury from about $1,100 a night, luxury from about $520 a night, mid-range from about $380 a night per person. The park itself, the guide and the animals are identical whichever you choose. Park fees are set by the government and charged per person per day.

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Western Tanzania

Mahale Mountains National Park

1 safaris 2 attractions mapped ● 28°C Overcast

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Area 1,613 km²

Established 1985

Official website Visit →

Coordinates -6.267, 29.933

Now 28°C · 17 km/h

Overview

About Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park combines chimpanzee trekking with the pristine shores of Lake Tanganyika in one of Africa's most remote and exclusive destinations. Accessible only by boat or small aircraft, Mahale offers swimming, snorkelling, and walking alongside its habituated chimp communities.

Mahale Mountains National Park is a national park of Tanzania. The park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Uvinza District of Kigoma Region. It is named after the Mahale Mountains that are within its borders. It is one of only two protected areas for the Eastern chimpanzee in the country, and it harbours the largest known chimpanzee population. It also a place where chimpanzees and lions co-exist. Another unusual feature of the park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot. There are no roads or other infrastructure within the park boundaries, and the only way in and out of the park is via boat on the lake.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

At a glance

2 picnic sites

Peaks Picnic sites Historical Other

N11

Picnic site

-6.136, 29.742

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Skyways High Point

Picnic site

-6.137, 29.753

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Jan 59

Feb 67

Mar 40

Apr 45

May 85

Jun 96

Jul 100

Aug 99

Sep 89

Oct 73

Nov 25

Dec 35

Scored from three years of rainfall and temperature at this park — taller is better for game viewing. Green (short) months are wetter: thicker bush, wildlife more dispersed.

8 Days Photo: Vishva Patel / Pexels

8-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Trekking + Katavi

From $5,500 pp

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Mahale Mountains National Park

About Mahale Mountains National Park

At a glance

Every attraction, plotted

Picnic Sites

N11

Skyways High Point

When to visit Mahale Mountains National Park

Safaris visiting Mahale Mountains National Park

8-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Trekking + Katavi

Ready to explore Mahale Mountains National Park?