Greystoke Mahale

Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania

Overview

Surrounded by lush mountainous forest on the shores of a magnificent lake sits Greystoke Mahale, one of Africa’s most remote lodges. With no roads for a hundred miles, this corner of Western Tanzania is renowned for its thriving population of chimpanzees, and one of the few places in the world where it is possible to encounter these special creatures up close.

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Key Features

  • Track wild chimpanzees along rainforest paths with specialist guides, learning about their behaviours and history while trekking through the clouds at high altitudes.
  • Sleep under the stars in one of the lodge’s six open-air bandas, each featuring stunning lake views, or relax in the main lodge’s extended bar and dining area, upstairs library, and beachfront lounge.
  • Explore Lake Tanganyika in a glass-bottomed kayak, or cruise along the shore in a dhow, watching hippos wade through the water. Spend evenings at the cliff-edge bar, dining by candlelight, and sharing stories around the fire pit.
  • Trek to Ntakata Forest to get involved in community-led conservation projects or visit Katumbi Village to learn about how the lodge supports education and healthcare.

Location

Deep in the Mahale Mountains National Park, at the edge of Lake Tanganyika, the second-deepest lake in the world, Greystoke Mahale feels a world away from anywhere. Located in a tropical rainforest that is home to some of the last remaining wild chimpanzees in the world, this rustic island retreat was first discovered by Irish adventurer Roland Purcell in 1988. With immediate access to the forests’ ancient trails, you will have the rare opportunity to encounter chimpanzees daily with the best primatology guides on the continent. From the lodge’s open-air suites, you can hear the chimps’ calls echoing through the canopy, and gaze across the lake toward the distant Congo.

Design

Six rustic bandas, or private beach suites, are nestled into the forest-line, beautifully crafted from the timber of ancient dhows that once sailed the lake, eventually washing up onshore. Each banda features an en-suite bathroom with a wall that opens to the leafy green forest, private verandas with lakeside views, and A-frame ceilings. The glossy floors are made from hand-sawed eucalyptus, furniture is hewn from sustainably sourced wood, and stylish furnishings come from Arushan markets or Tanzanian weavers. Since the bandas are open-air, you can stargaze from the comfort of your king-sized bed or awaken to the song of hornbills or the purple-crested turaco. The main lodge stands in the centre of the beach, housing the candlelit dining area, a rustic-style bar, and a relaxation area upstairs with board games, a library, and beanbags with a spectacular view of the lake.

Activities

Trek along winding forest paths, tracking chimpanzees with the lodge’s exceptional guides. Learn about their complex social behaviours from experienced primatologists, and observe the way they groom, forage, and interact with one another. Wade through bamboo groves, dense undergrowth, open glades, and patches of vibrant wildflowers, pausing for a picnic by a freshwater stream. After a long day of trekking, take a refreshing dip in Lake Tanganyika’s warm waters, or lounge in woven hammocks on the beach. Drift across the lake on a glass-bottomed kayak, take a nature cruise along the shore in a dhow, or try your luck at fishing with local fishermen. As dusk falls, commune around the firepit or sip sundowners at the cliff-edge bar, before tucking into a beautifully laid spread of fresh fish and locally grown produce.  

Sustainability

With a low-impact ethos, the lodge operates entirely off-grid with solar power energy and water recycling. All non-biodegradable waste is transported out of the National Park, and the lodge itself is built from reclaimed dhow wood and thatch, designed to be dismantled without leaving a trace on the forested shoreline. Student safaris introduce local children to chimpanzee tracking and conservation and the guides who work here, many of whom have been working with the chimps for decades, inspiring the next generation to protect this precious ecosystem. Guests can also join educational visits to Katumbi Village to learn about how the lodge supports education and healthcare, or trek to Ntakata Forest to participate in community-led conservation projects.   

Why we love it

Greystoke Mahale is renowned for some of the world’s best chimpanzee trekking, with a rich history of protecting and preserving rainforest habitats. With its beautifully remote location and eco-conscious design, this chic castaway lodge is one of Tanzania’s most exclusive and enchanting stays.

Popular Experiences

Conservation in the Heartland of Africa

  • Jun-Oct
  • £27,000 PP
  • 4 Adults

A Family Exploration of the Wilds of Tanzania

  • Jul-Oct
  • £28,200 PP
  • 2 Adults, 2 Children

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