Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is the Mahale Mountains property in the Mbali Mbali collection, an East Africa safari brand operating three intimate lodges in Tanzania’s western circuit under the shared identity of mbalimbali.com. The lodge sits on the golden-sand shores of Lake Tanganyika at the foot of the densely forested Mahale Mountains the home of the famous M-Group chimpanzee community, one of the best-habituated and most-studied wild chimpanzee populations on Earth. The lodge aims to deliver a perfect blend of comfort and luxury within this extraordinary remote setting, with stylish thatched chalets positioned to maximise lake and forest views.
Chimpanzee trekking with expert guides is the centrepiece of any stay, with guests spending time each day tracking the M-Group through the Mahale forest canopy. Additional activities include kayaking on Lake Tanganyika, snorkelling in its famously clear waters (home to hundreds of endemic cichlid fish), swimming from the private beach, guided forest hikes, dhow boat excursions at sunset, and visits to Katumbi village on the lakeshore. The lake’s warm temperature, sustained by deep geothermal sources, makes it safe and inviting for swimming year-round.
Thatched lakefront chalets with en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and views of Lake Tanganyika and the Mahale forest. Central open-sided dining area and bar on the beach.
Like all properties in Mahale Mountains National Park, Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is accessible only by a combination of air and boat there are no roads into the park. Guests fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Kigoma Airport, then transfer by speedboat along the shores of Lake Tanganyika to the lodge’s private beach. The Mbali Mbali team coordinates all flights and transfers. Travel time from Kigoma is approximately 2–3 hours by boat.
Our safari designers will build a bespoke itinerary entirely tailored to you.