MBALE MBALE MAHALE LODGE – MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – WESTERN TANZANIA

Mbali Mbali Mahale sits on a stretch of sheltered golden beach overlooking Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania and enjoys a backdrop formed by the dramatic Mahale Mountain range.  With soothing views over the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, this secluded and romantic hideaway offers a blend of relaxation, luxury and adventure – and the promise of viewing chimpanzees in their natural habitat!

With just 10 rooms overlooking the lake – the lodge received a comprehensive refurbishment in August 2018.  The price of comfort has not been at the cost of the environment and Mbali Mbali Mahale is powered by solar energy and much care has been taken to reduce their carbon footprint.

After a successful day chimpanzee trekking enjoy drinks around the camp fire before dinner on the beach under the stars – if the weather is good!

LOCATION

The lodge is set on Lake Tangyika within the Mahale Mountains National Park in western Tanzania.

Access – the nearest airstrip is Mahale airstrip which receives scheduled flights from Arusha and the Mbali Mbali Shared Charter which flies in and out of Arusha or the Northern Circuit destinations.  On arrival at Mahale airstrip you are met and transferred to the camp by dhow boat which is around 1.5 hours.

CAMP

There are just 10 well-appointed Beach Tent has been strategically positioned to offer privacy while still allowing for an easy walk to the beach and communal areas.  The Beach Tents are under thatch on a raised wooden platform and have a private deck with stunning views of Lake Tanganyika.

All the tents have 24-hour electricity and hot and cold running water and have self-contained mosquito nets around the beds and bathroom.  The rooms are beautifully furnished with comfortable beds, fine linen, an indoor rain shower and double vanity in the ensuite.

The main area is set just off the beach and is a two-story wooden structure with expansive decking and comfortable seating areas on both levels.

ACTIVITIES

The primary activity in the park is chimpanzee trekking, carefully monitored so as to reduce human impact on the famous habituated M-Group chimps.  Take a gentle boat safari on the lake, or opt for a fishing excursion, where you may encounter crocodile, hippo and otter as well as an abundance of birdlife. Kayaks are available for exploring the lake at your leisure, or you may choose to simply stretch out under one of the salas on the beach, while the gentle lapping of the lake lulls you into an afternoon siesta.

Chimpanzee Trekking – the minimum participating age for chimpanzee trekking as determined by TANAPA is 12 years old. Chimp Viewing is limited to a maximum of 6 people per group for 1 hour at a time. Chimpanzee trekking is conducted on day of departure and day of arrival only if time allows subject to arrival/departure schedules and chimps location. Maximum viewing time is one hour per day. If the chimps are moving and viewing is interrupted, your time will be paused until they have been relocated, but trekking is not permitted for longer than 3 hours after the initial chimp sighting, even if the one hour total has not been reached. This is to minimize disturbance to the animals and to the forest.

Mahale is home to a population of chimpanzees who have been studied by Japanese researchers; they have quietly conducted some of the most important scientific work on these primates from as early as 1960’s. The park is just over 1600 square kms and hence during the rainy season it can prove to be more challenging to trek for chimpanzees as they remain higher in the mountains when they do not need to come to the lake or rivers for water. Do note that chimpanzee trekking can take from a few minutes to around 7 or 8 hours and can be over extremely rough and chanllenging ground.  All walks are led by expereinced guides and you can request to hire a private porter if you need to carry heavy photographic equipment at the camp.

Water Activities – once in Mahale you can enjoy kayaking, boat safaris and lake fishing.

Birding and Forest Walk – enjoy a forest walk of Mahale Mountains National Park. Learn about the flora and fauna on your trail from your expert guide.

MBALI MBALI MAHALE LODGE IS CLOSED DURING MARCH, APRIL AND MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES – DO NOTE THAT THE MINIMUM PARTICIPATING AGE FOR CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IS 12 YEARS OLD