Colours and smells of fig trees, silk trees, mahogany, nutmeg mesmerize. Maybe you stop to show your fellow adventurers a woodland gigantic squirrel, sitting munching nuts or scampers furiously over the high branches. Perhaps a colobus monkey is barely visible searching for seeds in a lower portion of the jungle. You arrive into a little clearing. and a troop of interested, fascinated chimpanzee is here to greet you!

Designed to get you up close to the mammals with which humans have in common at least 95% of our DNA, chimp safari in Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the most exciting experiences we have! You might have already delighted in some amazing safaris including the Big Five and any number of predators and herbivores found in the other national parks and game reserves of Africa. Meeting the family in their natural home, the lowland forest of Mahale, does indeed have a particularly unique quality. Having time in their company is a privilege!

Area

With about 1,600 square kilometers of jungle-clad mountains soaring to heights as high as 2,400 meters, Mahale Mountains N.P. is a stunningly magnificent region of the earth! On the lower slopes the forest runs from nutmeg, mahogany, silk trees, fig trees, and evergreen vines to brittlewood, rushfoil, pines, and bamboo wilderness higher. Apart from the chimps, squirrels, porcupines, two varieties of mongoose, antelopes, blue duiker, yellow baboon, and the striking black-and- white colobus monkey. Impressive is the bird population, and there are also many of vibrantly colored butterflies!

Additionally included in the park is the second-deepest lake in the world, Tanganyika! About 250 kinds of fish call this home. A delight to see, the white-sand beach and the glistening blue waves are just perfect. The chimps often approach the lakehore and even all the way into some nearby campers during the dry season! You might want to consider visiting here between August and October if you would want your safari to include a 30-minute stroll into the rainforest instead of a 3-hour trek. Seeing the chimps is always a delight, of course, regardless of the time of year!

Nature

Divided several groups, Mahale Mountains boasts roughly a thousand chimps. One group, the Mimikire clan or M-group, is used to human presence since they have spent decades close to Japanese researchers. Actually, these 56 chimps are quite at ease among their kin; they will approach you and stare you in the eye!

Other monkey behavior seen on treks includes sprinting across the jungle on a hunt and using screams and cries. In quieter times, chimps like grooming one another as well as squabbling and foraging. They have also been seen fish for termites using sticks. Especially satisfying is seeing the younger members of a group interacting. Usually an hour, we highly advise you to bring your camera and a decent pair of binoculars so you can really make the most of your time with these incredible species.

Should this experience appeal to you, simply get in touch with a team member! We eagerly await your response and would be pleased to provide guidance on where to stay and when to fly.