Renowned for its families of chimpanzees, the Mahale Mountains National Park rises from the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania’s west. It encompasses the peak of Nkungwe, which is held sacred by the local Tongwe people, and is considered one of the most beautiful parks in the country.

The Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the only places in Africa where chimpanzees and lions are known to co-exist while supporting a staggering number of plant species. This global biodiversity hotspot is also home to yellow baboons, red colobus and vervet monkeys, as well as a variety of other species found nowhere else in the world.

In total, the Mahale Mountains are home to around 600 chimpanzees in 15 groups, together with western shore warthogs, rare roan antelopes and occasional giraffes. There are also myriad bird species, including bamboo warblers and Stuhlman’s starling, not to mention thousands of colourful butterflies.

Want to spot chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains during a Tanzania safari tour? Check out our selection of handpicked safaris below