Mahale is an evolutionary triumph, where the clock seems to have stopped early, at the right time. For man - part fish, part forest animal - it couldn't be more sublime.

There are few places left on earth that might rightfully be called Eden, and the Mahale Mountains is one of them. The mountains soar to 8,000 feet above the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, which at 420 miles long and 30 miles wide, is a veritable inland sea. The nearest road is almost 100kms away, and that is the most minor of tracks.

The slopes of the Mahale Mountains rise behind camp, home to the world's largest known population of chimpanzees. Within hiking distance is one such group of 60. Every day you can venture out into this deep and magical forest to observe them, our closest relatives, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.

Mahale is a physical place, but strangely undemanding. Perhaps because it seems to have been created for Great Apes; figs, flowers, sun, shade, water.

Your home at Greystoke Mahale is in wildly exotic wooden bandas, looking out across the soft sand beach, with interiors fashioned from old seasoned dhow timber and decorated with style and panache.

The six open-fronted bandas are set just on the forest line, looking out over the lake, with dressing rooms behind and upstairs chill-out decks; they are designed with flair, generosity and passion for the most demanding of castaways.

The bathrooms are set just behind, and accessible via a short wooden boardwalk. They all have flush toilets and powerful showers, with hot and cold water available on demand.

Life at Mahale is easy in this barefoot paradise. If a morning's 'chimping' sounds a bit too energetic, you can relax on your own chill-out deck, spend lazy hours staring out over the lake, and it's just a short stroll to the mess for coffee or an early evening sundowner at the bar.

The spectacular two-storey mess stands proud on the beach, with its soaring prow-like wings that look out to every point of the compass, the perfect vantage points from which to sit and appreciate this incredible place.

Chimp trekking time is variable, and is dependent on where the chimps are that day. Whilst they can be in the forest right behind camp, they can also be far up the mountain and a possible 5 - 7 hour trek away. The forest paths are not always steep, but the walking can be strenuous so it helps if you're fairly fit. Good sturdy but lightweight walking boots/shoes are a must.

PLEASE NOTE: Chimp trekking at Mahale is often strenuous and Greystoke Mahale camp managers reserve the right to restrict chimp viewing for any guests who they feel are not fit enough and could hold the entire group back.

By visiting Mahale, you’re also helping to support the most vulnerable members of your extended family. Habitat loss is the greatest single threat to animal extinction today, but the National Park fees levied to visitors here make sure this particular habitat remains secure - not just for over 1000 wild chimpanzees, but a vast array of other living things.

From USD 450 per person per night sharing (fully inclusive)

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