The tranquility and calm of Lake Chala appear a thousand lifetimes away from the hustle and bustle of Moshi town, but it’s only an hour away, making it ideal for a unique day trip. Lake Chala is a caldera lake fed by pure, cool subterranean streams that originate from Kilimanjaro, and it’s known for its brilliantly shifting colors, which range from deepest blue to emerald green to azure and all in between.
Lake Chala is a crater lake in a caldera on the eastern end of Kilimanjaro, near the Tanzanian-Kenyan border. Tourists who want magnificent vistas and peaceful enjoyment will love this location.
After a morning journey to the lake, you’ll arrive at the crater’s edge to take in the breathtaking views of the tropical forest and the lake. Baboons are very likely to be seen on the route to the lake. You may go kayaking on the lake while admiring the magnificent African scenery. After that, your lunch will be provided. Mt Kilimanjaro will be seen in all its grandeur on the walk back to the hotel.
One Day Lake Chala Tour
You may hike the picture-perfect landscape around the lake, swim in its beautiful waters (don’t forget your cozzie!) or kayak across the border into Kenya. It’s a day of getting up and personal with one of the world’s most famous figures.
Chala has a moderate environment with a wide range of temperatures. The days can be quite hot, especially from December to March, but the evenings and mornings are cool, and the nights can be chilly. Warm clothing is required in the early morning and evening from May to September since it can be rather chilly.
Activities at Lake Chala
What to bring: Good walking shoes are recommended, as is a stick for going down to the lake. It’s a long and arduous climb. Bring binoculars for bird watching, sunscreen, a hat, and proper clothing for the changing weather. Check the ‘Taveta weather reports’. Please bring a towel if you wish to take a cold, refreshing shower after the trek.
Walking: Chala is a fantastic place to go for a walk. All walks must be accompanied by a local guide, Tranquil Kilimanjaro will provide.
Birding: The Chala bird survey is still going on. Birds abound, with raptors, in particular, being numerous and magnificent. On the eastern side of Kilimanjaro, Chala is regarded to be a significant migratory corridor, and surprising species can be spotted here during migration season. We welcome visitor reports of birds spotted to help us expand our bird census.
Fish: The Lake Chala Tilapia is a cichlidae-family fish that lives in the lake. This fish is indigenous to Chala, however it is currently a threatened species as a result of overfishing, which is a problem that must be addressed. As a result, fishing is prohibited at Lake Chala.
Crocodiles: In the 1930s, crocodiles were brought to Lake Chala. E.S. Grogan, a British adventurer who became famous by walking from Cape Town to Cairo in 1898, is said to have brought them in. Crocodiles cannot reproduce in this region since there are no beaches or sandy areas where they may build their nests.
Fishermen launched a drive to remove their nets in the early 1990s, enraged by the constant destruction of their nets. There haven’t been any crocodiles at Lake Chala since 2002.