Tanzania
Lake Chala
A crater lake of implausible turquoise holds a fish found nowhere else.
The crater holds a lake of implausible turquoise, ninety metres deep, fed by springs filtering through Kilimanjaro's own rock. A cichlid fish lives here and nowhere else on Earth.
Chala is a crater lake straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border on Kilimanjaro's eastern flank, roughly two kilometres across and over ninety metres deep, its clarity the work of underground springs filtered through volcanic rock. An endemic cichlid evolved in its isolation, the crater-rim walk circles the colour from above, and swimming calls for care with depth and cold. From June to September the rim path and the light hold their best.
Solo
Solo visitors should take a local guide and current trail advice before descending Lake Chala’s crater wall.
Couple
A pair can share rim views and a guided descent while letting safety advice overrule swimming plans.
Family
Lake Chala suits families only when the chosen path matches children’s footing and current water guidance.
- An endemic cichlid fish lives in this lake and nowhere else.
- Underground springs through Kilimanjaro's rock feed the turquoise.
- The crater-rim walk circles the whole colour from above.
- The lake drops more than ninety metres inside its bowl.
Meals run through the crater-rim camp and Moshi's kitchens on the road in.
The rim walk travels on carried water and a packed lunch.
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