How to get to Mahale National Park
How to get to Mahale National Park, Accessing Mahale Mountains National Park is neither straightforward nor economical. Depending on the itinerary, you may opt to fly from either Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam. A reputable tour operator will collect you from the airport and facilitate subsequent arrangements.
There are limited landing sites from Arusha, and the most efficient means of reaching Katavi is by air travel. There is one scheduled flight operating twice weekly between Rusha, Katavi, and Mahale, conducted by Safari Air Link. Zantasair, a subsidiary of Mbali Mbali Lodges, provides biweekly shared charter flights between northern and western Tanzania, encompassing Katavi and Mahale Mountain National Park. You can still reserve a charter flight through tour operators as part of a vacation package or book a scheduled trip to Mahale with Safari Air Link.
Domestic flight to Mahale National Park, Tanzania
Your safari tour operator reserves these charter flights by arranging a domestic trip with one of the following carriers: Air Tanzania, Regional Air, Zan Air, Safari Air Link, Precision Air, or Coastal Aviation. To access Mahale Mountain National Park, it is necessary to possess a valid passport, visa, and other personal documentation.
Via Road Transportation
The route to the park is arduous, particularly during the rainy season when the roads get slick, complicating the journey from Arusha to Kigoma, which necessitates a boat or plane and takes approximately two to three days by automobile.
By boat, you can opt for a speedboat from Kigoma, which takes around 4 to 6 hours to reach the primary objective or the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The timber boats travel for up to 15 hours to reach Mahale. Twice weekly, the MV Liemba, a sizable steamship, often departs from Kigoma and takes approximately 10 hours to arrive.
Tourist attractions to observe or engage with during a visit to the park are as follows:
Chimpanzees, the Mahale Ranges, diverse primates including blue monkeys, Angola colobus, forest birds, red colobus, montane rainforests, red-tailed monkeys, and alpine bamboo are included. Furthermore, one can immerse oneself in a coastal lifestyle at Lake Tanganyika, interact with local fisherman, appreciate the stunning sunset on the lake’s horizon, and indulge in birdwatching, among other pursuits.
Mahale Mountains National Park is open throughout the year, with the prime period for animal observation lasting from July to October, when chimpanzees are most prominently visible. In the wet season, they remain discernible, requiring only patience as you trek in search of them. During the rainy season, thunderstorms above the lake captivate visitors. As a result, numerous lodges and campgrounds are closed during intervals of significant precipitation, generally occurring from April to May and from November to October.