Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is arguably one of the most beautiful and unique parks in Africa. Tucked away on the remote eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika—the world's longest and second-deepest freshwater lake—Mahale is a place where "safari" meets the "tropics." The park is dominated by the jagged, forest-clad peaks of the Mahale range, which rise dramatically from the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the lake.

What makes Mahale truly world-famous is its population of wild Chimpanzees. This is one of the few places on Earth where humans can interact with our closest relatives in their natural habitat. The "M-Group" chimpanzees have been habituated by Japanese researchers for over 50 years, allowing for intimate, soul-stirring encounters.

With no roads within the park, every journey here is done by boat or on foot, creating a deep sense of isolation and tranquility. This is one of the few places in Africa where you can see chimpanzees and lions in the same ecosystem—a truly unique wildlife experience.