Greystoke Mahale

On a wide golden beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, sheltered by the lush green forests of the Mahale Mountains, is the magical sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. One group of chimpanzees is within hiking distance, and each day you can venture out into the forest to observe our closest relatives as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor. Chimp trekking time is variable, and is dependent on where the chimps are that day. While they can be in the forest right behind camp, they can also be far up the mountain and a possible 5 - 7 hour trek away. The forest paths are not always steep, but the walking can be strenuous so it helps if you're fairly fit. Good sturdy but lightweight walking boots/shoes are a must.

After landing at the airstrip, guests are transferred by boat to camp and welcomed into the main bar and dining area. The accommodation has been designed with flair and is made up of six wildly exotic wooden bandas looking out across the soft sand beach, their interiors fashioned from seasoned dhow timber. Each banda is open-fronted, with dressing room, adjoining bathroom and upstairs chill-out deck. With no roads for miles and miles, everything is done by foot or by boat. And if a day’s ’chimping’ isn’t enough, you can kayak along the lake shore, snorkel, fish (on a catch and release basis), or have a private barefoot dinner on the beach. The bar on the rocks is the perfect place to enjoy endless sundowners over the lake.

By visiting Mahale, you’re also helping to support the most vulnerable members of your extended family. Habitat loss is the greatest single threat to animal extinction today, but the National Park fees levied to visitors here make sure this particular habitat remains secure - not just for over 1000 wild chimpanzees, but a vast array of other living things