Greystoke Mahale Camp
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Overview
Greystoke Mahale Camp, in the Mahale Mountains National Park, is hidden among foliage on a pale powdery beach on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in the far west of Tanzania. Here the beach really does meet the bush!
Behind Greystoke Mahale Camp the view is dominated by the Mahale Mountains, home to the world's largest known population of chimpanzees. Within hiking distance is one such group of 60 which have become habituated to human presence over two decades of contact; tracking chimpanzees for a few hours through the rainforest in the relative cool of the morning is one of the highlights of Greystoke Mahale Camp. You are accompanied by the camp’s expert guides and a scout who know each of the chimps and their behaviour. It is one of the most intimate wildlife experience you can have in Africa.
Activities and facilities
In charming contrast, the afternoon brings difference delights. Snorkelling, fishing, swimming, and sundowners on the dhow boat are some of the more laid back afternoon and early evening activities on offer at Greystoke Mahale camp making this one of the most unique safari camps in Tanzania.
Greystoke’s striking ‘mess’ stands out on the beach, and was built in the style of a thatched Tongwe chief's hut. It has recently been extended with two soaring prow-like wings. The upstairs area has four decks that look out to every point of the compass. Meals are served either in the mess dining room or on the deck of Greystoke’s 50ft wooden dhow.
Accommodation at Greystoke
The stylish thatched bandas (meaning beach rooms) at Greystoke Mahale Camp are simple but luxurious, with en-suite bucket showers and flush toilets. They are set back into the lush vegetation but look out over the beach and Lake Tanganyika. Upstairs there’s a viewing deck with comfortable day beds for that all important after lunch siesta at Greystoke Mahale. The bandas offer all the necessities for a relaxing stay such as kikois for the beach, separate bath and beach towels and a place to wash the beach sand from your feet.
Greystoke Mahale Camp gallery
Greystoke Mahale Camp on the map
Rooms
Click on the Green Dot to see Room Images
Greystoke thatched rooms
The six rooms at Greystoke are entirely in-keeping with the setting. When Roland Purcell established his camp here, he was conscious of the responsibility of ensuring a light footprint. Built of thatch and salvaged dhow wood, each of the open-fronted rooms is tucked into the treeline, almost invisible to the passing fishermen in their small canoes. The rooms all have verandahs and an upstairs chill-out lounge with views across the white sand to the vastness of Lake Tanganyika. The rooms are open-fronted with great canvas drapes which can be closed in the event of a storm. The twin or double beds nestle beneath a canopied net. A dressing area leads on to an en-suite bathroom. There's running water here, with a boiler that is lit on request to preserve energy, and a flush loo. The rich foliage that gives the camp such character can be enjoyed while you are showering in privacy.
