Lake Chala Treasure Trail Day Trip
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Duration
Tour highlights
The tranquillity and peace of Lake Chala seem a thousand lifetimes away from the bustle of Moshi town, but it’s actually only an hour’s drive away, so perfect for a day trip with a difference. Lake Chala is a caldera lake fed by clean, cold underground streams from Kilimanjaro itself, and it’s renowned for its gloriously changing colours; from deepest turquoise to emerald green to azure and all colours in between.
It’s a perfect place to relax and unwind and you’ve the choice of hiking the picture-perfect countryside around the lake, swimming in its sparkling waters (don’t forget your cozzie!) or kayaking across the border to Kenya. Or all three! It’s a day full of getting up close and personal to one of the greatest (and quietest) treasures of Tanzania.
Itinerary idea in detail
Your friendly guide will arrive at your accommodation armed with your tasty packed lunch. Then he or she will bustle you into the transport and drive you to Lake Chala Safari Camp. On the way you’ll journey through the everyday life of Moshi and on to the freeway, and you can spend a relaxing, comfortable hour-and-a-bit taking in the sights.
Lake Chala Safari Camp is a beautiful private game reserve overlooking Lake Chala. You’ll arrive there and our guide will take you down to the lakeside, through vividly green flora, with the blue, blue lake ahead of you. It gets quite rocky near the lake so wear sturdy footwear. It’s a stunning area perfect for hikers and birdwatchers, and in season you might be lucky enough to spot elephants gathering at a distant waterhole. Spend the day wandering the paths around the lake or across the nearby savannah, where you’re likely to see baboons, vervet monkeys and blue monkeys as well as (perhaps) the shy dik-dik and graceful kudu, too.
After your hike, spend some time sitting by the lakeside enjoying the stillness, only disturbed by birdsong and the gently lapping waters.
If you’re feeling a little more active, you can jump into a kayak and explore the lake further. You’ll be serenaded by the ever-present birdsong and gentle plashing of the water as you row.
After your adventures, stop at the bar for a drink (alcoholic or otherwise) and, if you’re a little peckish, an afternoon snack. If you haven’t opted to camp at the Lake (think campfire under the star-filled heavens), you’ll be driven back to Moshi in the late afternoon. The pleasant drive will give you some “you” time to reflect on your day and wonder if it would be rude to go straight to bed when you get back – you won’t believe how tired you’ll feel after a day of restorative, stress-relieving peace.
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
- Day trip according to the itinerary
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water
- All mentioned activities
- All national park fees
- Flights (International)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses in nature such as money for souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees etc.
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We have been receiving reviews from our served clients and We are rated 5/5 by customers. This honor is given to us by customers because we always remain committed to all our customers to do whatever is needed by them to make their safari fully satisfied.
Jeremy S2025-09-26Verified Incredible Safari Expereince We had the most incredible 7-day custom safari with Velam Safaris through the Serengeti and Northern Tanzania. From the very beginning, Adam and the entire Velam team went above and beyond to make our trip special. They carefully crafted the perfect itinerary based on our interests and desires, ensuring every detail was thought through.One of the highlights was having a professional photographer join us, capturing every moment so we could fully immerse ourselves in the experience. The team’s knowledge of the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture was outstanding, and everything about the trip felt seamless and well-coordinated.The accommodations and food throughout the journey were exceptional, making each day feel both adventurous and comfortable.We can’t recommend Velam Safaris highly enough. If you’re considering a safari in Tanzania, they will make your experience special. Christine L2025-08-18Verified Valence, Outstanding Safari Guide! We had the pleasure and honor of having Valence as our safari guide for seven days in Tanzania this August. This was my first safari and my husband’s fifth, and Valence was by far the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had. With over 12 years of experience, he was professional, full of energy, and always checking in on us with his friendly “Are you good?” He helped us spot an incredible range of wildlife, from zebras and giraffes to lions and cheetahs, and he seemed to know the habits of almost every plant and animal. He could even anticipate animal behavior, from predicting where a leopard would move during a hunt to finding the perfect spot for the wildebeest crossing in the Mara River. He even bought us some roasted bananas to try since we were curious about local cuisine, which made the experience feel even more authentic and special. We also ran into some car issues during the trip, which is quite common on safari, but Valence quickly identified the problem on the spot. As an experienced mechanic, he made the repairs at a nearby town without disrupting our itinerary much. Every day with him felt like a fascinating biology lesson, and thanks to Valence, our safari was both unforgettable and in the best of hands. We would highly recommend him to anyone planning a safari! Jiaming Ji2025-08-13Verified Best Guide - Valence: The Driver Who Made Our Tanzania Safari Unforgettable – Big Five, Perfect Views & Hakuna Matata In Tanzania, your driver is everything — guide, protector, storyteller. We were lucky to have Valence, with 12+ years of experience and a heart of gold. He showed us all the Big Five, river crossings, even lions hunting. He knew every road, avoided dust and breakdowns, and always found the perfect viewing spots. “Hakuna Matata,” he’d say, and we believed it. From day one he called us family — and treated us like it. SwatiUtukuri2025-05-11Verified Felt like home in the midst of the jungle Being Single ladies we were taken care of so much and we felt so safe in the midst of the jungle with barely any network. Safari experience was smooth and so surprisingly magnificent.Adam who crafted our tour itinerary was in touch from day 1 till we landed back . Lolo and Lawrence our guides were nothing less than family :) Nomad292367290962024-03-25Verified Exceptional Safari Experience! Velam Safaris delivered an outstanding safari adventure! From seamless communication to expert-guided game drives, every moment was exceptional. Luxurious accommodations, attentive staff, and a commitment to sustainability set them apart. Highly recommend for an unforgettable safari experience! Mama Bishop M2024-03-25Verified Unforgettable Trip - Organized by Adam This trip was absolutely incredible! A huge thanks to Adam for organizing everything so flawlessly. From the very beginning, Adam was incredibly helpful and responsive, answering all my questions and making sure everything was perfectly tailored to our interests. allen M2024-03-25Verified Exceptional 5-Day Safari with Velam Safaris Velam Safaris provided an outstanding 5-day safari experience. Our knowledgeable guide made every moment memorable with incredible wildlife sightings and insightful commentary. The accommodations were luxurious, and the opportunity to connect with local communities added depth to the journey. Highly recommended for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Africa. Cate H2024-03-22Verified A Fantastic Adventure with Velam Safaris: My 5-Day Tanzania Safari Review I went on a safari trip with Velam Safaris in Tanzania for 5 days, and it was amazing. Everything was well planned, and the trip was fantastic from start to finish.The best part was seeing all the animals. Our guide took us on drives through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We saw lions, elephants, rhinos, and many other animals in their natural homes. It was so cool to be up close to them.Our places to stay were really nice too. We stayed in comfy tents and cozy lodges. Waking up to the sounds of animals and eating tasty meals outside was so nice.What I liked most about Velam Safaris is that they care about the environment. Our guide talked about why it's important to protect nature, and I thought that was great.Overall, I had an awesome time with Velam Safaris. If you want to go on a safari in Tanzania, I definitely recommend them. Thanks, Velam Safaris, for an unforgettable adventure!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more