The name Mbali Mbali is well chosen: it means ‘Far Far Away’ in Swahili and Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is your chance to access one of the most remote corners of Africa. A string of luxurious beach chalets set along a Lake Tanganyika white-sand beach, this small and intimate lodge is the ideal base from which to trek into the thick rainforest of the Mahale Mountains in search of wild chimpanzees. A ruptured twist of the Great Rift Valley, Mahale is one of the last bastions of these great apes and a unique opportunity for you to follow foraging chimps deep in the forest.

Accessed only by a flight and then boat ride, Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge is primarily a chimpanzee trekking lodge but has a host of other activities. Taking advantage of its lakeside setting; the lodge offers boat trips in search of the lake’s creatures (hippos, crocodiles and otters) as well as its fabulous birdlife – over 350 species have been recorded in the park. You can also explore the lake at leisure in one of the lodge’s canoes, or try your luck on a fishing expedition.

One of the most off-the-beaten-path travel destinations in Tanzania, this is an accommodation that would suit seasoned safari travellers who are looking for a unique wildlife experience in combination with a more familiar safari in, for example, the Serengeti. Such a mix of habitats would deliver a great diversity of animals and landscapes, ideal for nature-lovers, photographers and adventurers. The camp welcomes families with children of all ages, though we’d recommend travelling with older children to benefit from sharing activities together.