In our famous jungle-chic lodge by a gin-clear lake, we live and breathe chimpanzees.

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 lodge opens its shaggy arms, hewn from vintage dhows, proffering yet another level of pleasure to all our intrepid guests.

A view of the shores of Lake Tanganyika to our castaway lodge, Greystoke Mahale.

Rest and Relaxation in the Canopy - just you and nature

Castaway bandas in the forest made of old dhow wood

Located in one of Tanzania’s beautiful national parks backed by the Mahale Mountains, with Lake Tanganyika out front; there really is nowhere in the world like Greystoke Mahale.

Eight bandas, open to views of Lake Tanganyika with the mountains behind, built of reclaimed dhow wood.

Morning coffee looking into the forest from the room veranda

Bathrooms that Robinson Crusoe would feel totally at home in

The staff at Greystoke Mahale make every stay unforgettable.

Meet GreyStork, a yellow-billed stork who visits the camp often

Arriving back into camp in time for sundowners

Time spent with the chimps is something pretty indescribable.

Young Figaro, an orphan who spends his days learning the ropes and vines of Mahale from his mentor Bonobo.

There really is no where in the world like Mahale.

Our camp is built from reclaimed dhow wood, collected from local villages on the lakeshore.

Our chimpanzee experts must be some of the most experienced primatology guides on the continent.

Lake Tanganyika is a vital recourse to the people living along its banks.

Fun in the Katumbi village near Greystoke Mahale which is supported by our Nomad Trust.

Chimping around at Greystoke Mahale.

Coming face to face with your closest relatives.

If you're lucky the chimps might put in an appearance in camp.

Lake Tanganyika is perpetually warmed by natural springs feeding its depths.

The Mahale Mountains forest is home to chimpanzees of course, but also a plethora of other primate and wild life.

There is no place in the world like Greystoke, where lifelong memories are made.

Gathering around the big table to share delicious food and good stories.

Afternoons relaxing on the chillout deck, with views all the way to the Congo.

Cruising the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika in a traditional wooden dhow.

Getting to know the individual characters, dynamics and politics of the chimpanzees with the most experienced and knowledgeable guides.

Making acquaintances with your closest relatives is always a little unnerving.

A young member of the M community of chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains.

Swimming in forest pools in the Mahale Mountains.

Swimming in forest pools in the Mahale Mountains.

Lake Tanganyika is a uniform temperature from top to bottom; it is warmed by geothermal sources in its depths.

Our team at Greystoke Mahale, the warmest welcome on the edge of the world.

The gin clear water of Lake Tanganyika. A tonic.

Up-close and personal with wild chimpanzees. Picture: Henrik Egede-Larsen

Siesta time in the upstairs chillout deck.

Evening drinks at the Big Bird Bar is an event.

Hot showers with views of the forest.

Siesta time on the upstairs chillout deck.

The exhilaration of taking the plunge into the deepest lake in the world.

Fresh ingredients, prepared with love.

Understated, informality; kick off your shoes and your inhibitions.

Designed with discretion in mind, tucked into the forest-line.

Chimpanzee society is fascinating. The Greystoke guides bring it all to life.

A visit to the children of Katumbi Primary School, supported by the Nomad Trust.

Open-fronted bandas made from dhow wood salvaged from boats that used to ply this shoreline.

Freshly made, wholesome meals, shared around the communal dhow-wood table in the iconic Greystoke Mess.

Preparing fresh goodies for the Greystoke table.

The mess at the heart of the camp

At Greystoke we grow our own veg to use in our mouth watering recipes

There's always time for coffee and cake.

Rooms in the canopy provide the perfect escape.

Nomad Safari Greystoke Mahale Beach view

Bathrooms that Robinson Crusoe would feel at home in, partly open to the leafy green of the encroaching forest.

Enhancing lives at Greystoke

From enhancing dynamic careers to working with local communities and conservation projects, here are some inspiring stories from our award-winning camp.

Health & wellbeing

Beds for Meds

When the world becomes a brighter place

Watch our moving story of Mama Selena, from Katumbi village on the outskirts of Mahale. She was struggling to read the hymn sheet in church, which really mattered, until the doctors came to town as part of our medical outreach programme.

Conservation & environment

Sharing our love of the natural world

Students journey to the legendary Greystoke

Our student programme runs across many of our camps and proves time after time to have a hugely positive impact on the children’s lives. Whenever possible, we facilitate student groups from surrounding villages to visit Greystoke and spend time in forests and chimp-trekking with our expert primatology guides.

These days allow the next generation to foster an appreciation of the wildlife, the habitat and wilderness we work so hard to protect.

Life long learning & growth

Investing in education

Support for schools in Mahale

Mahale lies at the edge of the world. People here rely on fishing and agriculture, but education is a privilege and opportunities for earning an income are few and far between.

Knowing this, we put your trip to work for a good cause. We've supported Greystoke's neighbouring Katumbi Village school and clinic for many years in the belief that health and education can change people's lives, futures and opportunities - and there's little that yields greater reward.

Life long learning & growth

Creating career paths

Our very own chimp whisperer

Many of you will recognise this cheeky grin from the slopes of the Mahale Mountains... yes, it's Butati, chimp-whisperer extraordinaire.

Butati was raised in the Greystoke locale, and his father began working with the chimps in 1965, igniting a passion in his young son that would determine the course of his life.

Butati joined us in 2014, and along with the rest of the team at Greystoke, has earned us a reputation for the best primatology guides on the continent. He’s an incredible ambassador for Nomad, and the chimps - and when he’s not with his primate family, he’s giving back to his community through our Katumbi-based projects.

In the field with Nomad

I have worked these slopes of Mahale Mountains National Park for many seasons now. At Greystoke Mahale, the day starts with the lake. Before the sun lifts over the ridge, Lake Tanganyika is quiet and the fishermen’s dugouts move past without sound. If the wind comes early from the south, we know the climb will be cooler.

In Mahale, you don’t rush the forest. The M Group decides the pace. In the dry months, when the streams thin and the oil-nut trees begin to fruit, they travel higher along the ridgelines. We listen for the pant-hoots rolling down through the valleys and watch the leaf fall to judge how fresh their movement is. After the first rains, the forest floor softens and the chimps spend longer feeding low, the young ones restless and noisy.

This ecosystem is steep — lake at your back, forest rising fast in front of you. Everything here depends on the rain and the fruiting trees. If you stay long enough, you start to read it without thinking.

Mwiga Mambo

Greystoke, Mahale Mountains, Western Tanzania

Western Tanzania

Our camps bring a safari of extraordinary contrasts. Katavi is about remote, expeditionary safaris. Mahale takes you further off the map, to meet our chimpanzee cousins. Put simply, this is the pinnacle of life-changing safaris.

Reviews

S. & D. Bell

Review for greystoke

Fantastic Team Organization

Team work beautifully together, their willingness & enthusiasm & organization are fantastic. So much offered, they understand their guests, and they deliver. Conversations are wonderful, experiences are slick. The chimp thing is planned to the smallest of details. Sansa Waterfall - the cherry on the...

S. Hageman

Review for greystoke

Sunset Over Lake

Going for a swim after trekking for chimps. Watching the sunset over the lake.

A. & G. Mendelson

Review for greystoke

Enjoyed Tremendously

Amazing place, staff & guides. Enjoyed it tremendously & hope to visit again.

M. Vandermeer

Review for greystoke

Incredibly Knowledge Guides

Butati and the guides were incredibly knowledge and personable. Issac + Benny also amazing staff. Food was amazing.

B. Cromley & M. Cromley

Review for greystoke

Kindness of Staff

Kindness of all staff and guides

H. Hurt

Review for greystoke

Phenomenal Mahale Team

Magic is the word! the Mahale team is phenomenal - beyond expectation and really fun too! so many giggles and fantastic memories - thank you Mambo, Butati, Beni, Daniela and the Mahale Team - U ROCK!! :)

FAQs

When is the green season?

From late November to May. It's a gorgeous time to be in Tanzania - expect dramatic skies, lush landscapes and superb wildlife. Also, less people.

What is the typical food when on safari?

Fresh, locally sourced, and surprisingly varied given the remote locations of some camps. Imagine homemade bread, seasonal veg, cooking with delicious Swahili spices. All accompanied by far-stretching views or enjoyed under a shady tree.

Can I go on safari and visit Zanzibar in one trip?

Yes absolutely, Tanzania has superb transport links from the mainland to Zanzibar as well as neighbouring islands too. Many travellers choose to spend some time in the wild on safari before heading to the coast for some R&R.

What is the luggage weight limit for internal Tanzanian flights?

Usually it is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag. This is not a hard and fast rule so do check with your tour operator or aviation company. These are small bush planes, and is a good way of making sure you pack light.

What is a typical daily schedule on safari?

Early starts with golden light as the bush awakens, and a fresh cup of coffee by the morning camp fire. Either breakfast in camp or take a bush breakfast to go. Enjoy early morning game drives to observe wildlife before the day gets too hot. In the heat of the day, find a shady spot for a siesta go. After tea, its time for an afternoon foray and sundowners with a view. Evenings are quiet, firelit, and full of stars.

What is the most popular safari in Tanzania?

Northern Tanzania is probably the most well known part of the country with the world famous spectacle, the Wildebeest Migration, drawing travellers year round. A full northern circuit brings incredible wildlife from Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater and that's before you even get to the Serengeti. Prepare for a density of wildlife like nowhere else in Africa. That being said, the south offers a quieter safari experience in Ruaha and Nyerere. Here you can get off the beaten track in explore some superb game areas. And for us, the ultimate safari combo comes in the west - a big game, wilderness experience in Katavi combines with jaw dropping chimpanzee encounters in Mahale. Over 7-days this safari will blow you away.

Can children go on safari?

A safari with your family is a magical way to spend quality time with your children, immersed in the wilderness and surrounded by wildlife. Time on safari with your family allows all to disconnect from your busy daily lives. Tailor your family safari with a private guide and vehicle plus make sure you look at family specific properties such as Mkombe's House. When inside the national parks, most camps have age restrictions with 8+ being a general guide. 

Much depends on the age of your children, if on the young side then we'd advise not trying to cram too much in to your days but plan your safari in bitesize chunks bringing new excitement around every corner.

What's included in a safari?

Typically: accommodation, meals, drinks, park fees, your expert guide and activities.

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