Greystoke Mahale

^{Photo: Greystoke Mahale}

Greystoke Mahale isn’t your typical safari lodge—it’s an adventure straight out of a dream.

Found on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, with the misty Mahale Mountains rising behind it, this place is as wild and remote as it gets.

You can’t even drive here; the only way in is by boat.

The camp itself is all about laid-back luxury. The bandas (thatched bungalows) are made from old dhow boats, giving them a rustic, Robinson Crusoe feel, but with all the comforts you need.

Each one is open-fronted, so you wake up to nothing but lake views and the sound of waves lapping the shore.

The real reason people come here, though, is the chimps.

Mahale is home to one of the largest wild chimpanzee populations in Africa, and tracking them is an experience like no other.

You hike through the thick jungle, following the calls of the trackers, until suddenly you’re standing just a few feet away from a group of chimps—watching them play, groom each other, or just lounge around.

Explore More: 

• Greystoke Mahale (website)

• Chimp Trekking at Greystoke Mahale (vlog)