Greystoke, Mahale

Introduction

Mahale Mountains National Park, 300 km down the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, is one the most remote and beautiful national parks in Tanzania.

Kangwena Beach lies on the edge of Lake Tanganyika in the National Park, western Tanzania.  On this far-flung beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, below a huge story-book tropical forest is the tiny sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. With clear water and scented air, the forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains rise behind camp, home to the worlds largest known population of chimpanzees, with approximately 1000 individuals inhabiting the national park. Each day you can venture out into the forest, to observe and commune with these, our closest relatives, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.

Due to the remoteness of Mahale Mountains National Park, the only reasonable way to get to the lodge is by fly-in safari. But, remember, the remoteness is the very reason the chimpanzee population is still so untouched by human contact.

Camp Description

Location

As you make the approach to Greystoke by dhow, the outline of the camp is visible against a backdrop of deep green forest and pale beach. The focal point of Greystoke is the bar and dining area rising up from the sand and loosely modelled on traditional Tongwe architecture   The mess stands out on the beach, and is a thatched Tongwe chief's hut which has recently been extended with two soaring prow-like wings. This has increased the area within with more room for simply lounging around. The upstairs area, with its cushioned rare books and specialist primate library, now has four decks that look out to every point of the compass, and are the perfect vantage points to sit and appreciate this incredible place.

On the northern headland, right on the rocky lakeside but hidden in the forested sides of the hill, you'll find a cosy bar with stepped decks that falls down to the waters edge. This is the perfect hideaway during the day, and at night is the place to be for pre-dinner drinks and a spot of star-gazing.

Accommodation
Your home at Greystoke Mahale is in wildly exotic wooden bandas looking out across the beach and the clear waters, with interiors fashioned from seasoned dhow timber.  The six double suites are open-fronted, with and dressing rooms and an upstairs chill out deck.  The adjoining bathrooms are accessible via a short boardwalk and have flush toilets and powerful showers. 

Game Viewing

Over sixty chimps live in the mountains close to camp, and have become habituated to human presence over two decades of contact. There is also the opportunity to observe leopard, bushbuck, bushpig, and a multitude of birds and butterfly.  The forest itself is special, with eight other species of primate, shyer forest mammals, birds, butterflies, giant vines and waterfalls.  There is also the opportunity to explore the clear lake waters offering over 250 species of cichlid for those keen fishing, snorkelling or kayaking.

PLEASE NOTE - Most guests will see the chimps at least once in a 3-4day stay, but a sighting is not always guaranteed. Whilst they could be right behind camp one day, the next they could be high in the mountains.  The group size for chimp viewing is 6 maximum.

Activities

Tracking the primates is all part of the experience of observing the nine species of primate, of which the endangered chimpanzee is the most famous A trek through the rainforest takes you to Mahale's chimpanzees. Mahale offers the opportunity to sit and quietly watch chimpanzee daily life; grooming, wrestling, bickering, foraging, and mothering. The local tribe believes that chimpanzees were once people who retreated into the forest and just a few hours with these amazing apes explains why.

After a morning of hiking through the rainforests, there is no better way to recoup your energies on the soft sand beach, and the waters of the lake. Swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and fishing in the clear waters of the lake are relaxing pursuits as one takes advantage of the sparkling waters with over 250 species of tropical fish.

To end a day of outdoor pursuits comes the opportunity of private barefoot dinners on the beach, or to be social in the wildly thatched mess, complete with library and upstairs viewing decks. For some evening entertainment, theres the bar of all bars on the rocks of the headland, with fresh sashimi and iced vodka, and a view out west across the mighty waters of the lake.

Camp Facts

Please note that we do not accept children under the age of 8 at Greystoke Mahale . Only children of 12 and over can view the chimpanzees.

Greystoke Mahale is open year round except 15th March - 15th May when the camp closes for maintenance.

Pricing

Please contact us for current rates:

Suggested Daily Activity Schedule

Please contact us for suggested itineraries.

How to get there

There are no roads within 60kms of camp. Access is only by aircraft using shared charter flights which operate on set days, or by private charter. Greystoke Mahale is a 90 minute dhow trip from the airstrip.