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Greystoke Mahale Camp

Set in a remote location in the chimp-inhabited forests of the Mahale Mountains in western Tanzania, Greystoke Mahale is an off-grid paradise

Cost Per Night

Perfect For

Families (children aged over 12 years), Couples & Honeymoons

Why we love it

There’s at least 20 exceptional staff at Greystoke Mahale at any one time – including highly experienced guides and trackers, incredible cooks, friendly waiters, plus hard-working boatmen, room attendants, askaris (nightwatchmen) and fundis (general workmen).

JOSH Flatman

Luxury Travel Specialist

One of Africa’s most iconic camps, Greystoke Mahale is situated on a sandy beach along the shores of Lake Tanganyika at the base of the Mahale Mountains in western Tanzania. This remote area is home to the world's largest known population of wild chimpanzees and Greystoke’s main attraction is the opportunity to track the chimps on foot from the camp with experienced local guides.

You’ll hike up the steep forested slopes behind the camp in search of chimpanzees and eight other species of primates that live in this area, and there’s also a chance to spot leopard, bushbuck, bushpig, and a variety of colourful birds and butterflies.

As you trek through the lush forest you’ll hear chimpanzees screech and hoot around you before you actually catch sight of them, and once you’ve found the chimps you’ll spend an unforgettable hour watching them play on the forest floor and swing through the trees, before heading back down the mountain to the camp.

After your exhilarating up-close encounter with wild chimpanzees you can spend the afternoon relaxing on the beautiful beach, or kayaking, swimming or snorkeling on the crystal clear lake. A sunset cruise on a traditional dhow followed by a delicious three-course dinner on the beach under the stars, is the perfect way to end this unforgettable day.

Please note: Children over 8 years are welcome at the camp, however children under the age of 12 are not permitted to track chimpanzees. The lodge is closed from mid-March to early June.

Call us on +44 117 313 3300 to start planning your holiday, we’re looking forward to hearing from you

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open air shower surrounded by greenery at Greystoke Mahale Camp, Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

dressing area of the tents at Greystoke Mahale Camp, Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

curtained bed in the tent interior at Greystoke Mahale Camp, Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

The camp

This luxurious lakeside lodge can accommodate up to 12 guests in six stylish and spacious wooden bandas which are set at the edge of the forest and offer spectacular views over the sandy beach and Lake Tanganyika. Built using local materials such as palm tree thatch and old dhow timber salvaged from nearby lakeside villages, the thatched-roof bandas blend in beautifully with the natural surroundings. The open-fronted, double-storey bandas feature a large four-poster bed surrounded by a mosquito net, and they each have an adjoining bathroom, accessed via raised wooden walkways, with flush toilet and powerful shower. Each private banda also has an upper deck, reached by a ladder made from an old dhow, where you can relax after a magical day viewing chimps.

The camp’s main lodge is situated in the centre of the beach and features cosy seating areas and a central dining area where guests eat their meals around a large communal table. There are further seating areas upstairs where guests can play board games, read books from the library, or simply look out at the views across the lake. Along the beach at the headland is the camp’s bar, made from an old fishing boat, with steps leading down to the water's edge. It’s the perfect place to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and take in the breathtaking views of the lake and the mountains of the Congo in the distance.

Facilities

 Facilities include six wood and thatch bandas with private bathroom, a large beachfront dining area, and a bar constructed of an old fishing boat, plus there’s a fantastic gift shop.

Dining

Meals are eaten communally in the main lodge, although private dining is also possible. Guests can enjoy a cooked breakfast, a buffet lunch and a three-course dinner which typically features fresh seafood.

Why Wayfairer

Greystoke Mahale is owned and operated by Nomad Tanzania, one of East Africa’s original safari companies. The company has an active involvement in conservation and community improvement, as well as a commitment to sustainable management of Tanzania’s wildlife and habitats.

Nomad Tanzania ensured they designed and built Mahale Greystoke in a way that caused minimal impact on the surrounding forest and it was constructed almost entirely from sustainable materials sourced around Lake Tanganyika. This off-the-beaten track eco-lodge follows environmentally friendly practices with regards to recycling and energy conservation (for example the camp operates entirely on solar power) and it supports a local community gardening project by providing seeds to gardeners and then buying the produce they grow.