Greystoke Mahale

Come on a legendary journey to meet the most privileged primates on the planet: the wild chimpanzees of Mahale - and us, the trackers, guides and helpers who share their leafy Nirvana. In the forest’s dappled sunlight, chimpanzees romp and commune around us. At the lakeshore, on a white beach, Greystoke opens its shaggy arms, hewn from vintage dhows, proffering yet another level of pleasure to all our intrepid guests.

Greystoke Mahale is a remote, barefoot luxury lodge on a white-sand beach along Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, famed for intimate chimpanzee trekking in the Mahale Mountains National Park.

Location and setting

The camp sits on a secluded cove at the foot of the forested Mahale Mountains, with the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika in front and dense rainforest rising steeply behind. This dramatic setting combines beach, lake, and mountains in one of Tanzania’s most remote and least-visited areas, accessible only by boat after a light aircraft flight.

Lodge and style

Greystoke Mahale has a small number of open-fronted thatched bandas built from reclaimed dhow wood and natural materials, tucked discreetly into the treeline along the beach. The central “Mess” area includes a bar, dining space and loungy decks overlooking the lake, giving the camp a relaxed, high-end yet adventurous “Robinson Crusoe” atmosphere.

Wildlife and activities

The key draw is trekking to see a habituated group of wild chimpanzees in the surrounding rainforest, usually in small guided groups with strict time and number limits. Beyond chimp tracking, guests can hike in the forest for birds and butterflies, swim in waterfall pools, and enjoy lake-based activities such as kayaking, fishing, snorkeling and dhow sundowner cruises.