The forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains are home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees, with approximately 1000 individuals inhabiting the national park. At Greystoke Mahale, each day you can venture out into the forest, to observe and commune with these, our closest relatives, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.
|
Chimp trekking time is variable, and dependent on where the chimps are that day; they could be right in the forest behind the camp, or further up the mountain, a possible 5 hour trek away. The paths up the mountain, 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. Please note that only children over the age of 12 can view the chimps.
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
Your contribution is greatly appreciated, and we know that you will really enjoy this most incredible place. When you’re chimpanzee viewing, we will be asking you to keep to a few really important rules which are there solely to protect the chimpanzees. The rules have been devised for Mahale and Gombe National Parks by an international team of scientists, doctors and veterinarians and will protect the chimpanzees, their forest and you. Nomad Tanzania fully supports them, and you will find a copy of these in the bandas at Greystoke Mahale.
Rules to Remember: |
|
1. |
We offer one chimp trek per full day, and this will usually take place in the morning. The time spent with the chimps is 1 hour only, but please remember that the trekking time is very variable. Each group has a maximum of 6 people per group. We cannot go over this maximum number, so depending on the amount of guests in camp, a chimp visit may not be possible for the 3rd bed of a requested triple room. |
2. |
DO tell the camp manager if you feel unwell in any way, especially with any cold or flu symptoms, as chimpanzees can be killed by the mildest of diseases passed from humans. We insist that light surgical masks are worn whilst in close proximity to the chimps to minimize transmission of any contagious diseases. |
3. |
Unfortunately you will not be able to view the chimps if you have any signs of a contagious disease (viral or bacterial). |
4. |
DO keep a distance of 10 metres from the chimpanzees - to further reduce infection risk, and maximize your safety, as chimpanzees are strong and potentially dangerous. If they approach you, move away slowly, your guide will show you how and where. |
5. |
DO control sneezing or coughing – and please don’t spit on the forest floor. |
6. |
DO keep your equipment on you at all times – chimpanzees can be very curious. |
7. |
DON’T smoke or litter in the forest. |
8. |
DON’T eat, except where directed by your guide - food remains can spread disease. |
9. |
DO stay quiet, calm and relatively still. |
10. |
DON’T try to attract a chimpanzee’s attention with sound or movement. |
11. |
DON’T use flash on your camera – it alarms the chimpanzees. |
12. |
DO tell your guide if you have to go to the toilet - he will direct you. |
13. |
DO follow your guide’s instructions at all times. |
14. |
No one under 12 can view the chimpanzees. |
We also have a couple of rules of our own...
DO have a fabulous time at Greystoke Mahale; you’ve come a long way, you deserve it.
DON’T be surprised when you are totally blown away.
THANKS for listening.
|
 |
The Original Greystoke Mahale:
Mahale is an evolutionary triumph, where the clock seems to have stopped early, at the right time. For man - part fish, part forest animal - it couldn't be more sublime.There are few places left on earth that might rightfully be called Eden, and the Mahale Mountains, on the edge of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, is one of them.
On a far-flung beach along the eastern shores of the lake, below a huge story-book tropical forest, is the tiny sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. The water is as clear as gin, the air scented, and the living very easy indeed.
The slopes of the Mahale Mountains rise behind camp, home to the world's largest known population of chimpanzees. Within hiking distance is one such group of 60. Every day you can venture out into the forest to observe them, our closest relatives, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.
|
The forest itself is special, with eight other species of primate, shyer forest mammals, birds, butterflies, giant vines and waterfalls. And if a day’s ‘chimping’ isn’t enough, you can take a gentle forest hike, go fishing or kayak along the lake shore. Mahale is a physical place, but strangely undemanding. Perhaps because it seems to have been created for Great Apes; figs, flowers, sun, shade, water.
Chada Katavi is Greystoke's 'wild brother' camp. It's located in Katavi National Park, south of the Mahale Mountain. We call a combination of both these camps...
|
 |
 |
Accomodation:
Your home at Greystoke Mahale is in wildly exotic wooden bandas, looking out across the soft sand beach, with interiors fashioned from old seasoned dhow timber and decorated with style and panache.
The six open-fronted bandas are set just on the forest line, looking out over the lake, with dressing rooms behind and upstairs chill-out decks; they are designed with flair, generosity and passion for the most demanding of castaways.
The bathrooms are set just behind, and accessible via a short wooden boardwalk. They all have flush toilets and powerful showers, with hot and cold water available on demand.
Life at Mahale is easy in this barefoot paradise. If a morning's 'chimping' sounds a bit too energetic, you can relax on your own chill-out deck, spend lazy hours staring out over the lake, and it's just a short stroll to the mess for coffee or an early evening sundowner at the bar.
The spectacular two-storey mess stands proud on the beach, with its soaring prow-like wings that look out to every point of the compass, the perfect vantage points from which to sit and appreciate this incredible place.
|
|
Activities:
Hike in the stunning tropical forest that covers the slopes of the mountains. Its home to nine different species of primate, including the chimpanzee. The 'M' group live in the mountains close to camp, and have become habituated to human presence over two decades.
Every morning, trackers go out early to find the chimp's whereabouts, then after breakfast you can head off along the forest paths until you're surrounded by their calls. For an hour, sit quietly with them watching their daily life; grooming, wrestling, bickering, foraging, eating, and mothering.
The local tribe believes that chimpanzees were once people who retreated into the forest and just a few hours with these amazing apes shows why. You can also observe leopard, bushbuck, bushpig, other primates and a multitude of birds and butterflies which are found throughout the forested slopes of the mountains. The waters of the lake, the second deepest in the world after Russia's Lake Baikal, sparkle with over 250 species of cyclid, (tropical fish). |
A natural opulence seeps into Greystoke Mahale; beneath the soaring mountains you can dine on lake-fresh sashimi, gaze at the stars over cocktails at the bar on the rocks, or lie on the soft sand beach before slipping into the cool clear lake in front of camp.
Location:
Lake Tanganyika lies on the western edge of Tanzania, and is about as remote as you can get. There are no roads within 100kms of camp, and access is only by light aircraft using our shared charter flights which operate on Mondays and Thursdays only from Arusha. Flights leave early in the morning, and return to Arusha early evening that same day.
The flight to Greystoke Mahale is around 3-4 hours, and upon arrival at the airstrip there is an approximately 90 minute dhow trip down the lake to reach the camp.
|
How to Get There:
We have twice weekly flights to Greystoke Mahale on Mondays and Thursdays. Flights leave Arusha (where our base office is located) on Mondays and Thursdays, from May through March (the camp is closed from March to May). At the airstrip you board a dhow, and there is then an approximately 90 minute dhow trip down the lake to reach the camp.
Flights leaving Arusha on a Monday give you three days in Mahale, with the departure back to Arusha being on Thursday, and an arrival on Thursday gives you 4 days before you depart back to Arusha on the following Monday.
|
 |
 |
Fast Facts:
Location - Kangwena Beach on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, in the Mahale Mountains National Park, western Tanzania; it doesn't get more remote than this.
Setting - 6 double-bandas set on the edge of the forest at the base of the mountains. All look out over a wide beach across the waters of the lake. As you make the approach to Greystoke Mahale, by dhow, the outline of the camp is visible against a backdrop of deep green forest and pale beach. The focal point is the bar and mess area rising up from the sand, and loosely modeled on traditional Tongwe architecture.
Accommodation - Every banda has its own en-suite bathroom, set just behind the bedroom, with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and powerful showers. They also have an upstairs 'chill-out' deck, accessible from the side by a wooden canoe 'ladder'.
Activities - Hikes into the - forest in search of the chimpanzees (see chimping guidelines for more info), slower forest walks where you can see other primates, bushbuck, bushpig, and amazing birds and butterflies. Fishing, kayaking out into the lake or along the shoreline, beach dinners under the stars, and sundowners on the dhow.
How to Get There - There are no roads within 60kms of camp, and access is only by aircraft using our shared charter flights which operate on Mondays and Thursdays only from Arusha, or by private charter. Greystoke Mahale is a 90 minute dhow trip from the airstrip.
Child Policy - We are delighted to accept children of 8 and over at Greystoke Mahale, but please note that only children of 12 and over can view the chimps.
Gratuities - We often get asked about what to tip. We find that most people will leave around $10 per person per day, which then gets split amongst the general staff, with the guides being tipped separately. Obviously tipping is not taken for granted, but if you've had a fantastic safari and would like to leave something for the guys, then great. Can we please ask however, that any tips are left in cash. Greystoke Mahale does not have credit card facilities, and is unable to deal with any cheque payments. In Tanzania, any staff tip payments made through our bank accounts will likely be charged VAT and our staff will certainly charged income tax. Thank you for your understanding.
|
Reservations and Enquiries |
|
|
