Overview Accommodation Experiences When To Go

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

A view from Lake Tanganyika to our castaway lodge, Greystoke Mahale.

Rest and Relaxation in the Canopy - just you and nature

A little piece of paradise that you can lose yourself in

The white sand beach, backed by the Mahale Mountains. There really is no where in the world like Greystoke Mahale.

Six bandas, open to views of Lake Tanganyika, built of reclaimed dhow wood.

Making memories as the sun goes down on the beach at Greystoke

Rooms that look straight out into the canopies

The staff at Greystoke Mahale make every stay unforgettable.

A spot to relax and watch the day draw to a close from the beach at Greystoke Mahale.

Unwind with sundowners on the deck at Greystoke Mahale.

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.

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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 in western Tanzania.

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 safari 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 safaris 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.

Western Tanzania safaris

Our Western Tanzania 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.

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Reviews

14.08.2023

J. Calder

Review for greystoke

Magical Place Experience

Absolutely fabulous experience...a magical place..from the dhow ride across the lake, to the beauty of the location to the wonder of seeing the chimpanzees...

Camps visited:
Serengeti Safari Camp, Serengeti Chada, Katavi Greystoke, Mahale Kigelia, Ruaha

11.11.2024

W. Sandrine

Review for greystoke

Magique Hors du Temps

Un moment magique hors du temps dans une nature encore intacte !

Camps visited:
Chada, Katavi Greystoke, Mahale

21.12.2023

A. Ege

Review for greystoke

Magical Mahale Experience

Mahale is a magical place. Getting there by boat, being on the shores of Lake Taganyika and trekking in the jungle to see the chimps was a dream come true. Everything from the location, the staff, the food, the lodging, the guides all made an unforgettable experience. Go if you can…it will change yo...

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Camps visited:
Kuro, Tarangire Lamai, Serengeti Greystoke, Mahale

24.10.2023

L. Van Sant

Review for greystoke

Wonderfully Unique Greystoke

Greystoke is wonderfully unique. From hiking through the jungle to see the chimps, to the spacious accommodations, to swimming in the lake, the entire experience was once-in-a-lifetime special.

Camps visited:
Sand Rivers, Nyerere Kigelia, Ruaha Greystoke, Mahale

17.10.2024

T. Menke

Review for greystoke

"Magic Place"

A truly magic place. Totally remote, with magnificent views on Lake Tanganyika and the surrounding Mahale Mountains. A “once-in-a-lifetime” experience!

Camps visited:
Sand Rivers, Nyerere Kigelia, Ruaha Chada, Katavi Greystoke, Mahale

18.12.2023

C. Schmid

Review for greystoke

Paradise on Earth

Paradise on Earth! Get close and personal with the chimps, while an amazing staff and food is waiting you back in camp. Thank you for the incredible experience.

Camps visited:
Kigelia, Ruaha Greystoke, Mahale

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