Day 01
Lake Chala Hike and Lakeside Escape
- Your friendly guide will arrive at your accommodation with your tasty packed lunch. Then he or she will take you by transport to Lake Chala Safari Camp. On the way, you'll journey through the everyday life of Moshi and out onto the freeway, enjoying a relaxing and comfortable drive of a little over an hour while taking in the sights.
- Lake Chala Safari Camp is a beautiful private game reserve overlooking Lake Chala. On arrival, your guide will lead you down to the lakeside through vividly green flora, with the blue, blue lake stretching out ahead of you. It gets quite rocky near the lake, so be sure to wear sturdy footwear. This is a stunning area for hikers and birdwatchers, and in season you might be lucky enough to spot elephants gathering at a distant waterhole. Spend the day wandering the paths around the lake or across the nearby savannah, where you're likely to see baboons, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys, as well as perhaps the shy dik-dik and graceful kudu.
- After your hike, spend some time sitting by the lakeside and enjoying the stillness, broken only by birdsong and the gently lapping water. If you're feeling a little more active, you can jump into a kayak and explore the lake further. As you row, you'll be serenaded by the ever-present birdsong and the gentle plashing of the water.
- After your adventures, stop at the bar for a drink, alcoholic or otherwise, and, if you're a little peckish, an afternoon snack. If you haven't opted to camp at the lake - think campfire under the star-filled heavens - you'll be driven back to Moshi in the late afternoon. The pleasant drive gives you some "you" time to reflect on your day and wonder whether it would be rude to go straight to bed when you get back - you won't believe how tired you'll feel after a day of restorative, stress-relieving peace.
