Lake Chala
A deep blue crater lake on the Kenyan border with a canoe on it and Kilimanjaro behind.
Chala is a caldera filled with water so blue it looks dyed, ninety minutes east of Moshi and half in Kenya. You walk the rim for the view, watch the baboons, take a canoe out on the water, and eat lunch looking at the mountain. Few people go, which is most of its charm.
What makes this one
- A crater lake nearly a hundred metres deep
- Canoeing on the water
- The rim walk and its views of Kilimanjaro
- Baboons and birds, and almost nobody else
How it runs
- Step 1
Pickup in Moshi
An hour and a half east along the mountain's foot to the crater rim.
- Step 2
The rim
A walk along the rim for the view down to the water, then the steep path to the shore.
- Step 3
On the water
An hour in a canoe, and a swim if the day is hot.
- Step 4
Lunch and back
A picnic on the rim and the drive back to Moshi with the mountain ahead of you.
Worth knowing: The lakeside lodge and its canoes are being rebuilt in 2026. Ask us for the current position before you count on the canoeing.
Want an earlier start, a different pickup or two of these in one day? Just ask.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.On the map
- 1Moshi
- 2Lake Chala by road
What $118 does and doesn't cover
Price is per person, group of 5 or more, in US dollars. It falls as the group grows, because the vehicle and the guide are shared.
| Group | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per person | $158 | $133 | $128 | $123 | $118 |
Included
- Return transfer from your Moshi hotel
- Entry fee
- Canoe hire
- Picnic lunch, soft drinks and water
Not included
- Personal items
- Tips
What to bring
- Walking shoes for the path to the shore
- Swimwear
- Sun cream
Tell us your date and how many you are and we'll confirm $118 or better.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.
