Lake Chala Safari Lodge and Campsite — Attraction in Kilimanjaro

This place is amazing, very quiet and perfect for a romantic getaway. The view and scenery is absolutely stunning. The service and hospitality is impeccable. Kayaking is complementary and is a must do. Be sure to bring sun block. Hiking with a guide is also complementary and is very nice.

As far as wildlife we saw a lot of blue monkeys and it's a birdwatchers paradise. We were told that there were baboons on the compound but we failed to see them.

There are 6 very stylish "tents", which actually are small houses. All of them very private. You can sit completely undisturbed on your terrace.

There's good cellphone coverage.

The dinner was good. We had higher expectations for the lunch though. It was a bit basic. Be sure you ask for the passion fruit ice-cream. Had we known it was so tasty we would have asked for it to all our meals. We paid 80.000tzs a person a day for our full board and in that price we feel that coffee, tea and water at the restaurant should have been complimentary. But we understand that you have a lot of expenses bringing supplies to the camp.

Getting there is easy enough. It took 1½ in taxi from Moshi and we paid 60.000 tzs getting there and another 60.000 for being picked up. Then you need to pay an entry fee to the national park. That was 30$ for one person a day. The hotel was 500.000tzs for 2 persons for 2 days. Full board set us 340.000tzs back. In total it was1.230.000tzs for a weekend. We felt it was worth every penny. We would go there again.

We hope the government will stop harassing the lodge regarding the ridiculous swimming ban. You can swim anyway as long as you don't tell anyone. You can also choose to accidentally slip on the stones which in fact are very slippery.

We hope the government will stop harassing the lodge regarding the ridiculous national park entry fee. There wouldn't be a national park and there wouldn't be any tourist coming to the area had it not been for Lake Chala safari lodge. So basically the government is leeching on the lodge. The "rangers" could be put to better use by repairing the road. As it is now they do nothing but rob tourists.

Thank you for a wonderful stay, Thomas. And thank you for letting us check out at 16:30, at no extra cost, on the day of our departure.

Best regards,...

Why no other reviews? I reviewed in 2014.||Anyway, this lovely lodge on the rim of the crater that contains Lake Chala has been in operation for some years since I first camped there in 2012.||There are five or six Cabins/Tents arranged on platforms for sleeping idling and a central Lapa building for Bar and Meals.||The tents are beautifully furnished and well equipped with King size beds and chairs and an unusually spacious bathroom out back plus dressing area. From the balcony you can watch over the lake at your leisure. Other activities include guided or unguided walks over the property, birdwatching or just lazing by the lake.||Canoes are available free to residents to use.||There are excellent close views of Kilimanjaro when she is not being 'shy'. Early morning late evening is best.||The management have provided two ponds to use as waterholes for passing wildlife and sightings of elephant are not uncommon (so take care when walking around.)||There is a large crater made by a Meteorite which makes an interesting destination for a walk.||Food in the restaurant is of a high quality and the bar prices are very reasonable.||Staff are very helpful and friendly and the manager, Carolyn Waltenburg, helpful and very hands on! Do contact her and try this place for yourself.||Access is via a road off the main road to Taveta border where one turns left over a good dirt...

Why no other reviews? I reviewed in 2014.||Anyway, this lovely lodge on the rim of the crater that contains Lake Chala has been in operation for some years since I first camped there in 2012.||There are five or six Cabins/Tents arranged on platforms for sleeping idling and a central Lapa building for Bar and Meals.||The tents are beautifully furnished and well equipped with King size beds and chairs and an unusually spacious bathroom out back plus dressing area. From the balcony you can watch over the lake at your leisure. Other activities include guided or unguided walks over the property, birdwatching or just lazing by the lake.||Canoes are available free to residents to use.||There are excellent close views of Kilimanjaro when she is not being 'shy'. Early morning late evening is best.||The management have provided two ponds to use as waterholes for passing wildlife and sightings of elephant are not uncommon (so take care when walking around.)||There is a large crater made by a Meteorite which makes an interesting destination for a walk.||Food in the restaurant is of a high quality and the bar prices are very reasonable.||Staff are very helpful and friendly and the manager, Carolyn Waltenburg, helpful and very hands on! Do contact her and try this place for yourself.||Access is via a road off the main road to Taveta border where one turns left over a good dirt...