Kenya, Tanzania · Hiking

Full-Day Lake Chala Hiking Tour with Tanzania-Kenya Border Walk

1 Day Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Lake Chala on a full-day expedition through the scenic slopes of Kilimanjaro
02 Hike to the crater, a towering baobab tree, and viewpoints overlooking picturesque Lake Chala
03 Walk to the international border between Tanzania and Kenya
04 See flora, fauna, landscapes, and local life along the Kilimanjaro slopes

Embark on an exciting full-day expedition to Lake Chala, exploring the scenic slopes of Kilimanjaro on a mix of on-road and off-road tracks. Along the way, experience lush flora, diverse wildlife, and glimpses of local life before hiking to the crater, a towering baobab tree, viewpoints over the lake, and the border between Tanzania and Kenya. The tour also includes time for lunch by the restaurant or at the lakeshore, with optional swimming and kayaking available after the hike.

From there, you will start hiking to the crater, the big baobab tree, a viewpoint, and the international border between Tanzania and Kenya.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Lake Chala Hike, Border Walk, and Optional Water Activities

Wake up in the morning and have breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will pick you up around 08:00 AM to begin a 1 hour and 30-minute journey, combining on-road and off-road driving for 40 km from Moshi town.
On the way, you will see different flora, fauna, landscapes, as well as the everyday life of local people on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, with the guide explaining each and every detail.
On arrival, you will complete registration and then meet the local guide, who will give you a briefing about the destination, including the points you will visit.
From there, you will start hiking to the crater, the big baobab tree, a viewpoint, and the international border between Tanzania and Kenya.
After finishing the hike, you will return to the restaurant for your packed lunch, and drinks can be purchased there if needed.
You may also choose to have lunch at the lakeshore if you wish.
After lunch, you will go down to the lake, where you can swim (optional) and enjoy kayaking or canoeing at your own cost. When you finish, your company guide will drive you back to your hotel.
The end of the tour.

Where this trip takes you

Lake Chala, scenic slopes of Kilimanjaro, the big baobab tree, the international border between Tanzania and Kenya

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 3 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Entrance fees
English-speaking guide
Bottle of water
Lunch

What's Not Included

Personal expenses
Souvenirs
Tips for guiding

What to bring

Camera devices
Mobile phone
Passport ID
Personal cash
Insect repellents
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Sunglasses

Know before you go

There is a walking distance involved, so proper shoes are recommended.
Swimming is at your own risk because the lake is deep.
Kayaking or canoeing is at your own risk and cost, which is 10-15 USD per person.

Lake Chala Safari Camp is a small game reserve situated on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan-Tanzanian border, about two and a half hours' drive from Moshi and 8 km from Taveta. The reserve takes its name from Lake Chala, a unique caldera lake, also known as Dschalla, with a depth of more than 3000 m, believed to be the deepest inland water body in Africa. Lake Chala Safari Camp is a beautiful private game reserve overlooking Lake Chala. On arrival, your guide will take you to different viewpoints where you can explore many things, including flora and fauna, and later guide you down to the lakeside through vividly green vegetation, with the blue lake ahead of you. The water is incredibly clear and plenty of fish can be seen, but swimming is not highly recommended. The walk at the lake offers interesting views, but it is a bit challenging. It is common to spot lizards, baboons, different species of monkeys, and snakes. At Lake Chala Safari Camp, there is a nice bar with a lake view where you can enjoy a drink after your tour.

Logistics