Lake Chala Day Trip
A crater lake on the Kenya border, turquoise and quiet
About This Day Tour
Lake Chala fills a steep-sided caldera on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro, half in Tanzania and half in Kenya. The water shifts between deep blue and jade with the light, and the rim above it is a quiet place for walking, birding and lunch. The day is easy: a scenic drive through Himo and Rombo, a walk along the crater rim, an optional descent to the shore, and an optional kayak on the lake itself.
Photographers, birders and travellers who want somewhere quiet and scenic away from the safari circuit.
Highlights
- Crater-rim viewpoints over a turquoise volcanic lake
- Guided rim walk with birdlife and Kilimanjaro views
- Optional descent on the steep path to the shoreline
- Optional kayaking on the lake (extra cost)
- Very few other visitors compared with the main parks
Hour By Hour, Not Day By Day
Times are a guide only — your driver-guide adjusts the flow to your pace, the weather and traffic on the day.
- 08:00
Pickup in Moshi
Depart east along the Himo road with Kilimanjaro on your left for most of the drive.
- 09:45
Arrive at the crater rim
Entry fees settled, then your first viewpoint over the caldera and the Kenyan side of the lake.
- 10:15
Rim walk
A relaxed 1–2 hour guided walk along the rim with stops for birds, photos and the story of the crater.
- 12:00
Down to the water (optional)
A short but steep 20-minute descent to the shoreline for those who want to be at lake level or kayak.
- 13:00
Picnic lunch
Packed lunch and drinks at a shaded spot on the rim.
- 14:30
Drive back to Moshi
Return through Rombo and Himo, arriving late afternoon.
- 16:15
Drop-off
Back at your hotel in Moshi.
Pricing Per Person
Day tours are run privately for your group only, so the per-person cost drops as the group grows.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $180 |
| 2 travellers | $120 |
| 3–4 travellers | $95 |
| 5+ travellers | $85 |
| Prices valid for current season bookings. Park and entrance fees are included as listed below. | |
What's included
- Private 4x4 transport with fuel and driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Moshi
- Lake Chala conservation and entrance fees
- Guided crater-rim walk
- Packed picnic lunch and bottled drinking water
Not included
- Kayak hire on the lake
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Drinks bought on site
- Personal travel insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
What to bring
- Walking shoes with grip for the rim and descent
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Binoculars if you enjoy birding
- Camera — the light on the lake changes fast
- Swimwear if you plan to kayak
Book Lake Chala
Send us your date and group size — no deposit required at this step. We reply within 24 hours, and same-day requests are often possible on WhatsApp.
