Nature & water

Lake Chala Crater Lake Excursion

A turquoise crater lake on the Kenyan border, hidden behind steep forested walls: hike the rim, paddle a canoe across still water and picnic in the quiet.

DurationFull day · about 9 hours
Pick-up07:30 at the lodge
EffortEasy
GroupUp to 8 people
PriceUS$120 per person

Lake Chala, the blue crater lake on the Tanzania–Kenya border

Zebras and wildebeest grazing below Mount Kilimanjaro

Elephants walking in front of Mount Kilimanjaro

Two hours east of the lodge, where the plains around Kilimanjaro turn dry and quiet, the ground suddenly falls away into a perfect circle. At the bottom of the crater lies Lake Chala: still, deep and an improbable shade of turquoise, its far shore in Kenya and its cliffs alive with birds.

The day begins on the rim with an easy walk and, on clear mornings, Kilimanjaro rising behind the water. A steep, stepped path leads down through dry forest to the shore, where stable canoes wait. Paddling out across the lake, with the crater walls rising a hundred metres around you, is one of the most peaceful hours you can spend in northern Tanzania.

Lunch is a picnic from our kitchen at the water’s edge, followed by time to swim near the shore, look for fish eagles and blue monkeys, or simply enjoy a place that sees very few visitors. It is the perfect day between safaris — no game drives, no crowds, just water and light.

Highlights

A deep, clear crater lake shared by Tanzania and Kenya
Canoe on still turquoise water beneath 100-metre crater walls
Easy hike around the rim with views of Kilimanjaro on clear mornings
Blue monkeys, baboons and more than 80 species of birds
A picnic far from the busy safari routes

The day, step by step

07:30
Leave the lodge
Drive east past Moshi and Himo into the drier country around the mountain’s base.
09:30
The crater rim
Walk along the rim with your guide; on clear mornings Kilimanjaro rises behind the lake.
10:30
Down to the water
A steep but stepped path through dry forest to the shore, about 30 minutes.
11:00
Canoeing
Paddle across the clear water in a stable canoe, with life jackets and a guide. Look for fish eagles and kingfishers on the cliffs.
12:30
Picnic lunch
Lunch from the Katiti kitchen at the water’s edge, then time to swim, read or simply listen.
14:30
Climb out and drive home
Back at the lodge by late afternoon.

Included

Return transport in a private vehicle
Local guide
Entrance fees
Canoe and life jackets
Picnic lunch and bottled water

Not included

Tips
Drinks other than water

What to bring

Comfortable shoes for the steep path
Swimwear if you want to swim near the shore
Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Binoculars for birds

Questions

Is it safe to swim?

Swimming is possible close to the shore where your guide shows you. The lake is very deep and cold away from the edge, so the canoe is the best way to enjoy the middle.

Do we need a passport?

No. You stay on the Tanzanian side of the lake; no border crossing is involved.