Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs (Maji Moto) — Local services in Kilimanjaro

A nice natural spring where you can enjoy a relaxing swim.. There are two 'pools' with the upper being the friendliest to non expert swimmers- I found the water in the lower pool too strong and had to be assisted by my more experienced colleagues to navigate the water.

And yeah...it's pretty deep, in general, so wear a floater especially if you're not a good swimmer.

The fish that nimble away at your feet make the whole experience quite a nice feeling.

Concerning the charges, I found the fee fair considering what we pay when you want to enjoy the water in a hotel swimming pool.

There are some food kiosks outside the swimming area but don't expect mouthwatering meals- I don't think it's the best there's but you can take rice or a few snacks to keep you going as you wait to go back to town for a proper meal.

Otherwise, the staff is welcoming and quick to act in case you need something.

Oh and there are some daredevil divers who jump from high up some trees on the 'shores' to the water while pulling some crazy stunts... they're a joy to watch and even invite you to try if you are courageous enough

A few things I didn't like now...

1..The road that branches to the place is very dusty during the sunny season- I'm not sure if its okay during muddy season because I was there when sunny- so they need to tarmac it as the springs could bring in more tourists.

There were some bhang-smoking idlers outside the food kiosks (outside the springs area) and the bhang smell was a turn off.

The toilets are not of high standards from the structure to the hygiene levels- I hope they'll be doing better ones...

Kikuletwa Hot Springs is undoubtedly one of the top five tourist attractions in Arusha, and for good reason. The crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush greenery create a breathtakingly beautiful setting, making it a perfect spot for swimming, relaxation, and taking in the natural scenery. It’s a place with incredible potential for tourism.

That said, there are some areas that need improvement to make the experience more enjoyable. The road to the springs is in poor condition, which makes getting there a bit of a struggle. Once you arrive, the facilities are quite basic — there are no proper washrooms, no reliable supply of water, and the sitting areas are inadequate. For such a popular destination, one would expect better infrastructure.

A few improvements could go a long way: Establishing clean and accessible washrooms. Setting up proper hotel or food service areas. Providing shaded sitting areas for relaxation. Adding lockers for visitors to store their belongings safely.

Overall, Kikuletwa Hot Springs is a lovely place with stunning scenery and refreshing waters. I would definitely go back, especially if the small but important issues are addressed. With just a bit more investment in facilities, this site could easily become a world-class attraction...

This is NOT a hot spring. The water isn't even warm. We visited in August. The water temperature was around 28⁰C. I don't understand what the entry fees are for (10k TSH per adult and 5k TSH per child) when the place isn't maintained with any kind of facilities! The toilets aren't clean (no toilet seats, but rather floor mounted seats), no tables or chairs (except for a broken bench that's hard to reach near the reception's pool entry), no lockers or a safe place to store your stuff, and the entry to the pool is slippery and not easy. No towels are offered. If you want to have a rubber ring floatie, you have to rent it for 5k TSH. There are guys who would offer being a swimming assistant for those who need it The two stars is for the natural beauty of the water and the few underwater creatures there (we saw a small turtle, a few small fish, and the red Garra/pedicure fish) and the swing experience. Have a swimming google or a snorkeling set to enjoy the underwater view. Also, you're not allowed to enter with food. Only water is allowed. Not to mention that the road is very rough to reach there after turning from the...