Wild Guides Safari

Day Trip

Marangu Village & Lake Chala Tour

From

$210.00

Duration

1 day

Max People

20

Min Age

2+

Tour Type

Tour Overview

You will be picked up in Moshi in the morning by our English-speaking guide. Your tour will lead you first to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate in Marangu, the drive takes approximately one hour.

The Marangu Gate (1860m) is the starting point of the Marangu route, one of the most popular routes to the top of Kilimanjaro. Here you will get from your guide a brief introduction to the history of Kilimanjaro, the beginnings of its ascent, and the individual routes to the summit. During your visit to the gate, you also have the opportunity to observe the mountaineers in their preparations. Afterward, we will take a short hike to a nearby valley with a small waterfall, which the locals call the "evergreen valley".

After the hike, it is time to learn more about the history of the Chagga tribe. You will visit the caves dug by the Chagga during the wars with the Maasai some 200 years ago. The caves were used to hide the children and women during the Maasai attacks. During the excursion, you will also have the opportunity to visit a replica of a traditional Chagga house.

Before having lunch at one of the local restaurants, you will visit the very beautiful Kilasiya Waterfall. The short but exhausting trail is worth the effort. After lunch, it is time to head to Lake Chala. The ride takes about one hour and leads over bumpy slopes through small villages, on the way you have beautiful views of the surroundings.

Lake Chala is on the border between Tanzania and Kenya, the boundary runs through the middle of the lake. The lake is a water-filled caldera that was formed after volcanic activity caused it to collapse. The crater itself is 3km in length and 2.4km wide, with a surface area of about 4.2km². The depth of the lake is between 70 to 90m with the walls almost vertical and as high as 100m in some places.

Upon arrival, you will first go with your guide on a one-hour walk through the bushland on the northwest side of the lake. The hike leads through a seasonally dried riverbed, where the water has eroded the walls into beautiful shapes, on the way you will also pass a crater. During the hike you can spot various bird species and with some luck also small mammals such as blue monkeys, baboons, or dik-dik. The lake is close to Tsavo National Park, sometimes you might be able to see elephants that migrate back and forth between Kenya and Tanzania.

The hike then leads you down the steep crater walls to the lake. The walk is very scenic with great views of the lake and the lush vegetation. At the lake, it is time to relax a bit. Swimming in the lake is possible, but we advise you to stay close to the shore. After having sufficiently rested and enjoying the view of the lake, it is time to return to Moshi, where we will arrive late in the afternoon.

Tour Highlights

  • Day 1: Marangu Village & Lake Chala Tour

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Marangu Village & Lake Chala Tour

Lake Chala is a crater lake in a caldera located on the border of Tanzania and Kenya on the eastern end of Kilimanjaro. This place is a real find for tourists who like panoramic views and quiet recreation.

In the morning, after the transfer to the lake, you will find yourself on the edge of the crater to see the wonderful views of the tropical forest and the lake. On the way to the lake, you are highly likely to see baboons. At the lake you can go canoeing, relishing the beautiful African nature. Your lunch will be served afterward. On the way back to the hotel you will see Mt Kilimanjaro in all its glory.

What’s Included / Excluded

  • Transfer from Moshi and back
  • Entry ticket
  • Picnic lunch
  • Soft drinks and water
  • Canoeing
  • Chairs and table for picnic
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)

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