highs * Chimps, chimps and chimps, so fascinating and intriguing beyond words. *This place makes you forget where you are....a lake that acts like an ocean and a jungle behind you. *Year round warm beach weather; great for all activities! *Fresh caught sashimi

lows * You might need to be a bit fit to enjoy the chimps especially if they are deep in the jungle. *Too tempting to stay forever! *An hour dhow transfer to the camp so beware of sea sickness

As you make the approach to Greystoke by dhow, the outline of the camp is visible against a backdrop of deep green forest and pale beach. The focal point of Greystoke is the bar and dining area rising up from the sand and loosely modelled on traditional Tongwe architecture. Your home at Greystoke Mahale is in wildly exotic wooden bandas looking out across the beach, with interiors fashioned from seasoned dhow timber. The six-suites are open-fronted, with adjoining bathrooms, and upstairs chill-out decks, designed for the most demanding castaway.

The Mahale Mountains are home to some of Africa's last remaining wild chimpanzees. From supporting research projects to encouraging awareness about the endangered primates, Greystoke has been instrumental in the protection of the area's chimpanzees. Mahale's chimps have been habituated to human presence by over two decades of contact with researchers. In co-operation with the Tanzania National Parks Association, Greystoke Mahale also leads efforts to regulate chimpanzee-viewing procedures. Greystoke Mahale helped found the Tongwe Tribal Trust in an attempt to preserve the cultural heritage of the forest dwellers. The Trust aims to record an archive of the Tongwe's musical and oral history.

Steve Chumbley is a 36 year old Englishman who was born in Malawi and spend his childhood beside the lake. After his schooling in England, where he achieved a Zoology Degree in ‘Tropical Ecology and Behavioral Studies’, he took a post-graduate science teaching certificate and spent the next ten years teaching and setting up schools in the Far and Middle East, and West and East Africa. He met Teena in Kuwait where they were teaching at the same school. After many nights pouring over a map of Africa, and convincing her that this was the place to be, they both returned to the continent and a job working in Kenya’s Masai Mara before heading south. Steve’s great passion is the water, canoeing, snorkeling and building boats, so Mahale is the perfect place for him. Born to a pioneer farming family, Teena Payne grew up on her parents sheep farm in Western Australia. She completed a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Diploma of Education in Science and English, and then began teaching in a remote gold mining town. Greener pastures soon beckoned and she headed to Europe with a backpack before returning to Australia where she took up a successful ‘career’ in the equestrian world. After time spent travelling through China and Vietnam, she headed for Kuwait where she met Steve and was completely swayed by his passion for returning to Africa. She describes Mahale as a new adventure and for her ‘a biologists dream’. They both very much look forward to welcoming you there.

Tracking the primates is all part of the experience of observing the nine species of primate, of which the endangered chimpanzee is the most famous. Sixty chimps live in the mountains close to camp, and have become habituated to human presence over two decades of contact. There is also the opportunity to observe leopard, bushbuck, bushpig, and a multitude of birds and butterflies. The waters sparkle with over 250 species of tropical fish.

Specialized Chimp Trekking and Chimpanzee Safaris.
• Nature Walks in Mahale Mountains National Park.
• Wildlife and Nature Safaris in Katavi National Park
• Relaxing on the Lake Tanganyika Beach.
• Fishing expedition outside the park boundaries
• Village and cultural visits to the nearby community.
• Beach Barbeques on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
• Swimming in Lake Tanganyika.
• African Sundowners on Lake Tanganyika.

The suggested guideline for tipping is $10 per person a day at each property visited. The tips are collectively gathered from all guests after their stay at each property and distributed amongst the staff, you either give the tips to the manager or usually there is a staff tip box within which to put your tips. The tips are then divided equally amongst all the staff on the property. Many people like to leave a little extra with their dedicated guides on game drives as they spend so much time with them and it is perfectly fine to give the tip directly to the guide.

The best months for travelling to Tanzania are June through the end of October and then December through the end of March. July, August and September, are the busiest times along with the Christmas holidays as this is when school holidays fall. If you prefer to travel when the game is still superb but it is not so busy then I recommend the following months, June, September, October, November, February, March, April and May!