Greystoke Mahale, Tanzania

The interiors of this iconic jungle-chic lodge are fashioned from reclaimed vintage dhows that once sailed the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. Each of the open A-frame forest bandas looks onto the beach and each has its own quirky style. The adjoining bathrooms with open showers are accessible via a short boardwalk. Upstairs, the ‘chill-out’ decks have been designed for the most demanding of castaways. With the stars above you and the sounds of the wild all around, this truly is a magical extraordinary place which sets your imagination free.

In the evenings, share stories around the campfire on the beach. Hidden in the rocks on the northern headland, Greystoke Mahale’s sundowner ‘bar of all bars’ is a spot like no other! Sip a cocktail as the vast African sky softens into evening and the distant Congo blurs into the horizon while the landscape unfolds in a quiet moment of transition. This is a memorable glimpse into the beauty of Tanzania's wilderness. Back at the communal thatched mess, which is open to the beach and the breeze, Greystoke's unique camp conviviality is legendary. The upstairs area, strewn with relaxing cushions and an eclectic selection of books, has breathtaking views out over this alluring, seductive and mystical corner of East Africa.

The magical forests of the Mahale Mountains are beyond the imagination. This is as remote as you can get in Western Tanzania. There are no roads for miles around – the camp is only accessible by light aircraft to the nearest airstrip followed by a 90 minute dhow trip. Boat and foot are your only modes of transport. You can kayak along the lakeshore or head out on a dhow for a spot of deep water swimming, but most significantly of all, you can venture out each day on a legendary trek to meet the most privileged primates on the planet - the wild chimpanzees of Mahale. In the forest's dappled sunlight, chimpanzees romp and commune in this leafy Nirvana. All of the camp's guides have had a member of their family involved with the chimps since they were young and they have gladly followed in their footsteps. There is nothing the guides don't know about the character, politics and intricacies of this fascinating chimpanzee community. 

You will likely see the chimps at least once in a 3-4 night stay although a sighting is not always guaranteed. They could be right behind the camp one day whilst the next, they could be high in the mountains. Trekking time is variable and can be strenuous.

Although the chimps are of course the main draw, the forests of Mahale also teem with a variety of other primates including colobus monkeys and baboons, warthogs and the rare blue duiker, not to mention incredible forest flora and birdlife.