Wildlife in Mahale

Mahale’s chimpanzees are the main attraction, but the park supports a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of Ugandan red colobus, red-tailed vervet, and blue monkey, a wide variety of butterflies, and many forest and aquatic birds. Bushpigs are often heard rooting around the camps at night and can sometimes be seen by flashlight. Mahale Mountains National Park’s main attraction is the opportunity to track chimpanzees, our closest relatives, on foot. Roughly 900 chimpanzees inhabit the park, and the habituated community of about 75 individuals is very used to people. Guides and trackers are on hand to take you hiking along the forest trails to find these charismatic creatures.

The Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season (May to October). Odds of a good sighting are highest from August onward, when the chimps tend to stay close to the lakeshore accommodations. The park stays open throughout the year, but in heavy rain, the trails might be difficult to walk, and chimpanzees are often on the more distant, higher slopes.