Lake Chala Day Trip
A private day trip from Moshi or Arusha to Lake Chala, a deep crater lake on the border with Kenya: a walk along the rim and down a steep path to the water, canoeing when the canoes are running, and a picnic lunch, with Kilimanjaro behind you on clear days.
A Quiet Day at the Crater Lake
Lake Chala fills an old volcanic crater on the eastern foot of Kilimanjaro, about 55 kilometres from Moshi. Its water, fed from underground, is a striking blue-green, and the steep walls are covered in trees where monkeys and birds live. The border between Tanzania and Kenya runs right across the lake.
It makes a peaceful day out before or after a Kilimanjaro climb, or a change from game drives. The walk down to the shore and back up is short but steep. Canoes have been run by the lodge at the crater rim; at the time of writing the facilities were reported to be under renovation, so we confirm whether canoeing is available on your date when you book.
Highlights
- A drive past villages and farms on Kilimanjaro's eastern slopes
- A walk on the crater rim with views over the lake
- A steep path down to the shore and back
- Canoeing on the lake when available
- Picnic lunch by the crater
What to bring
- Good walking shoes with grip for the steep path
- Sun hat, sun cream and water
- Swimwear is not needed: we do not swim in the lake
- Your passport (the lake is close to the border)
Another day out near Moshi: Materuni Waterfalls & Kikuletwa day trip
Route Map
- By road
- Day of the trip
- Arusha
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
We collect you from your hotel in Moshi at about 8 am (about 7 am from Arusha). The road runs east past Himo and through farmland on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, about an hour and a half from Moshi, the last part on a rough track.
You walk along part of the rim for views over the lake, then follow a steep, narrow path down through the trees to the water's edge, about 30 to 45 minutes. Blue monkeys and many birds live on the crater walls.
When the canoes are running, you paddle out on the calm water with your guide. Then you climb back up to the rim for a picnic lunch.
Meals: Picnic lunch
The drive back, arriving in Moshi in the mid-afternoon or in Arusha in the late afternoon.
Price Per Person — Private Day Trip
| Pickup | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From MoshiPrivate vehicle | $265 | $155 | $120 | $100 | $90 | $85 |
| From ArushaPrivate vehicle | $360 | $205 | $150 | $125 | $110 | $100 |
Price per person in US dollars, by the number of people in your group. Groups of more than 6: price on request.
Trip Notes
- Pick-up: your hotel in Moshi or Arusha
- About 8 hours from Moshi, 10 from Arusha
- Private trip: your group only
- Steep path down to the lake: moderate fitness
- Canoeing subject to availability
Includes
- Private vehicle with a driver-guide
- Lake Chala entrance fee
- Canoe hire when available
- Picnic lunch and drinking water
Excludes
- Drinks other than drinking water
- Tips for your driver-guide
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
Questions Travellers Ask
Can we swim in Lake Chala?
We do not include swimming. Crocodiles have been reported in the lake, and the shore drops off steeply, so we stay on land or in the canoes.
Is canoeing always available?
No. The canoes have been run by the lodge on the crater rim, which was reported to be under renovation in 2026. We check before you book and tell you whether canoeing is possible on your date.
How hard is the walk?
The path down to the water takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is steep and narrow in places; the climb back up is slower. Good shoes and moderate fitness are enough.
Do we cross into Kenya?
No. The border runs across the lake, but the trip stays on the Tanzanian side. Bring your passport in case of checks near the border.
Can we combine it with a Kilimanjaro climb?
Yes. It is a relaxed day before or after a climb, from Moshi. Ask us to add it to your climb.
