Key Details
- Price per room (based on 2 people sharing): From US$3150
- Camp Type: Permanent
- Tours:
Overview
This is one of our favourite locations in Tanzania. It is other-worldly. Greystoke is the best camp to stay at when on safari to see Tanzania’s chimpanzees. Trekking for chimps in the Mahale Mountains is an incredible experience equal to experiencing the migration in Serengeti. The approach to the camp is on Lake Tanganyika, an ancient lake and the second largest by volume in the world. The main thatched mess tent with it’s huge roof looks like it is off a film set sitting on a white beach with just six private rooms are hidden amongst trees with great views of the lake. The price tag is heavy but if you decide to do this, Greystoke is our camp of choice.
There are just two flights a week to this remote park from either Ruaha in the south of Tanzania or from Arusha in the north of Tanzania. From the airstrip, you take a boat for an hour’s sail to the camp.
The iconic mess tent with a backdrop of lush rain forest stays in the mind. Most meals are taken in here or outside on the beach where there is a charming sunset bar constructed out of an old fishing boat.
The six private rooms are also of the same design. They are understated but have every comfort and the design fits seamlessly into the environment and ticks all environmetal boxes. The rooms are very open, encouraging ‘barefoot luxury’ with wooden walkways to the bathroom and also to the top deck which has a relaxing area with great views out over the lake.
Mahale Mountains National Park is famous for the chimpanzees. Guests can spend up to one hour a day with the chimps. Depending on the season the chimps feed at different altitudes on the mountains, so at certain times of year the days can be quite long to reach the chimps. As the chimps, the beautiful lake is worth exploring by Kayak or in the traditional dhow at the camp. A sunset cruise is a lovely thing to do before dinner. There is also excellent birding here.
The obvious combination with the chimps is a safari in Katavi national Park, equally remote and just as exhilarating.