Mahale Mountains, Tanzania
Greystoke Mahale
This is a fairy-tale land, where forested mountains fall into a crystal clear lake that is as big as an ocean but without the salt!
This is a fairy-tale land, where forested mountains fall into a crystal clear lake that is as big as an ocean but without the salt!
This is a fairy-tale land, where forested mountains fall into a crystal clear lake that is as big as an ocean but without the salt!
This is a fairy-tale land, where forested mountains fall into a crystal clear lake that is as big as an ocean but without the salt!
Location
Situated on the edge of the second oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, Nomad’s Greystoke Mahale is a stunning beachside resort in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Western Tanzania. There are no roads leading to the resort, so you travel to your a-frame bandas by crossing the lake on a dhow to the beautifully secluded waterfront location.
Accommodation
Greystoke Mahale is ‘jungle chic’, an imaginatively designed camp set by the lakeshore with six beautiful open-fronted bandas under tall thatched roofs. Nestled on the edge of the lush forest, just a few minutes’ walk from the water’s edge, they have en suite bathrooms, dressing rooms, and upstairs decks. You might even share your private deck with a family of chimp; these creatures are proud to call Kangwena Beach home.
The focal point of the camp is the main lodge, located on the gorgeous white-sand beach next to the lake. The atmosphere in camp is relaxed, delicious meals are enjoyed al fresco on the beach and in the dining lodge. The ‘Big Bird’ bar is the perfect place to watch the sunset and while away the evening chatting with new like minded friends. At the shoreline, take the opportunity to gaze out across the lake and spot the mountains of the Congo in the far distance.
Experiences
- Greystoke Mahale organises a range of hikes to explore the forest’s waterfalls and ice-cool rock pools.
- Spend the day on the lake. Kayaking towards the Congo on crystal clear waters, you might be lucky enough to spot hippo swimming underneath the boat through the glass bottom.
- Set off into the forest with our chimpanzee experts to spend an hour or more sitting among the chimpanzees, spellbound by their social behaviour.
- Discover more of this ‘edge of the earth’ paradise; wander the tropical forests admiring the thousands of birds, primates and butterflies, take an afternoon paddle in the lake or enjoy a couple of hours stroll along the deserted sandy shore.
- Enjoy learning about the culture and traditions of a Tanganyika village, and see the positive work of Nomad in the local primary school and community clinic.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Conservation
Greystoke Mahale’s parent company, Nomad partners with the FZS led de-snaring programme. The programme sends a team of rangers out to find poachers’ camps and remove wire snares from around the Serengeti ecosystem. Nomad donates $1 for every bed night spent at … to this fantastic and, so far, very successful project.
Environment
Nomad prides themselves in their eco-friendly design, food sourcing, waste management and plastic use. They have ensured that Greystoke Mahale’s design had minimalism in mind meaning complete immersion in its natural surroundings and have reduced their overall ‘food miles’ sourcing, wherever possible, from local communities.
Community
Nomad partners with The Hope Centre (Mugumu Village): A community focused project offering a refuge for young girls fleeing from female genital mutilation. Most of the girls only stay for a month or so, while the Hope Centre team works to reunite them with their parents. There are primary and secondary school aged girls, and others who are older and learning vocational skills in the centre.
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