Mahale
150km down the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika is a mountainous forest island called Mahale National park. The mountains
rise up from the water to 2500m, their western slopes carpeted with rich semi-tropical gallery forest; all around, below,
is the somewhat monotonous, dry bushland that covers most of western Tanzania. Mahale National Park is home to the Mimikere
Group Chimpanzee population - they cover a home range of around 15 square miles. These chimps are completely wild but are
habituated to humans.
On a wide, golden beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, sheltered by the dense forests of the Mahale Mountains, is the tiny sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. This most isolated of settings is home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees, with approximately 1000 inhabiting the Mahale Forest. Greystoke Mahale Camp is located within hiking distance of the chimpanzees, making it the world’s premiere location for studying and interacting with these almost human animals. Your home at Greystoke Mahale is one of only six double tents, which are tucked away beneath the palms along the edge of the beach. As the sun sinks slowly into the horizon, there’s nothing better than a refreshing swim in the lake before heading to the large, covered dining area to catch up with the other guests or simply relax and read a book from the small library.
Lake Tanganyika is the largest body of fresh water in Africa and home to a variety of Cichlids living around the underwater rock formations off the lake shore. Hippopotamus group in small pods also making for a unique wildlife experience by boat looking down through the crystal clear waters to see the water horses trundling along the lake bottom.
An evening sundowner aboard a traditional Arab Dhow compliments the other activities at Mahale celebrating the end of a magnificent day!
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Chimp tracking and water activities on Lake Tanganyika with Wildlife Explorer
