Numerous rivers cascades down from the mountain tops, carving deep valleys and gorges into their slopes. One of the unusual things about Mahale vegetation is the wide array of habitat types that it contains. The park is a mosaic of overlapping rainforests, woodland, bamboo forest, montane forest and grasslands meaning that can support a unique mix of Flora and Fauna that rely on various habitats.

The lowland forest (locally known as ‘Kasoge’) grows on the western slopes of the Mahale Mountains in an enclave of Congolese forest. It flourishes here because of a suitable, humid microclimate that is the result of the warm, moist air over the lake colliding with cold air blowing down from the mountains. The presence of this tropical forest allows Mahale to support many west and central African animals and birds such as the giant pangolin, a forest species found throughout central and West Africa.

Vegetation at an altitude above 1500m in the Mahale Mountains is composed of a wetter, more luxuriant forest than the lowland type. The very tops of the ridge are covered with high-altitude grassland, with a few scattered small trees. This area turns to a beautiful, colorful carpet of flowers towards the end of the rainy season in May. Most of the eastern slopes, as well as the lowland areas to the north and south of Kasoge forest, are covered with a type of woodland known as miombo, in some areas interspersed with expanses of lowland bamboo bush.

These areas support Mahale’s east African savannah species including buffaloes, wild dogs, and many varieties of antelopes. The vast areas of woodland are crisscrossed by narrow belts of riverine forest that have a very similar composition to lowland, lake shore forest and which provides important food sources and migration corridors for several species including key species of chimpanzees.
Size: 1613 km2 or 623sq miles where 1517km2 is terrestrial while 96km2 is aquatic habitat

Location
Western Tanzania, 128 km south of Kigoma town along the Lake shores of Tanganyika.

Accessibility
Charter; Charter flights from Kigoma, Mwanza, Arusha, or Dar es Salaam. Mostly Zantas air and Tanganyika flights have weekly scheduled flights to Mahale airstrip.

Road; Alternatively, 2 hrs. car drive south of Kigoma via Simbo Village (160km) crossing Malagarasi river to Herembe (Dry season) or 122km to Sigunga Village upon arrangement with Park HQ for boat transfer to the Park maximum of 1 or 2 hrs. boat cruise respectively.

By Air:  several airlines offer regular services to the National park airstrip (Not tarmac) but are suitable for landing aircraft. Aircraft type: caravan 6-12 seaters.