Lake Chala Safari Lodge and Camp site | Established Campground

September 26th, 2023 by Safarica

This place probably used to be very nice but after the Covid break it is now quite run-down. The open-air bar (and restaurant?) is still active with a stunning view. At about 20 USD ppn for camping seems overpriced unless you take the opportunity of the guided walks which are included. The old cottages are now torn down but the current tenant will move on soon. So the further progress seems a bit unclear and this information may be outdated soon.

September 23rd, 2023 by Werner

Run down place for USD 20 pppn! Where other operators put a lot of effort and love into designing the campsites, here a small, irregular channel is dug with a hoe to border the site. Lighting on the paths doesn't work. On the evening of our only night there, the men's toilet is under water, the Donkey boiler is currently leaking and is being sealed with soap. Other operators provide decoration and/or at least soap for the sanitary facilities, nothing of the sort here. The thatched roofs of all buildings are in a deplorable condition. You don't want to believe the manager's assurances that luxurious accommodation will soon be built here. The restaurant with a view over Lake Chala should be shut down, there is hardly any connection between the wood that is not damaged, nails are sticking out everywhere, and you can't see any efforts to bring about changes here.
The lights there are hanging in tatters. As said in the beginning, all this for USD 20 pppn!
The German manager doesn't stop talking mainstream issues like superfood and other woke topics, and examines our footwear to see whether it's suitable for hiking. However, we are not allowed to leave the camp without someone accompanying us. We look back on decades of travel experience in Africa and decide to leave the place immediately in favor of infinitely more pleasant places. We “enjoy” a thin cup of coffee for USD 8 (per pot = approx. 4 cups) in the land of coffee farmers and coffee roasters and we continue on in the beautiful continent.

July 26th, 2023 by silkytrench86

A wonderful place to stay and now affordable because there is no entry fee, only the 20 $ camping fee, which includes hikes and Kajak tours. The hike half around the lake to the Kenyan border and back through a river bed/small canyon is highly recommended. The view of Lake Chala and the Kilimanjaro massiv is breathtaking. Very friendly German host couple. Hot shower. Dinner/Breakfast on the beautiful terrace with lake view is possible.

July 20th, 2023 by Thomas Becker

Things have changed at Lake Chala. It is still a beautiful spot in the dry savana, but it is much cheaper now than in the past. The government is not charging entrance fees anymore.

December 21st, 2021 by fredcoombes

Nice place to stop around kilimanjaro, a walk down to the lake for a swim a must. Good food and quick service. unfortunately expensive due to the conservancy fees.

February 26th, 2021 by Instagram: @savannatales

Well equipped campsite with hot shower, water taps, barbecue, picnic tables, bar area and a restaurant overlooking the amazing lake. No real clear view of neither the Kilimanjaro nor the lake from any campsites (unless you really look for it through the trees) but from the restaurant you can really see them. Small menu for food, it was okay. Beer 5,000tzs. Camping 38,500tzs ppn. Yes the government fees still exists and costs around 35 usd ppn. Unstable 4g connection with Vodacom but works well enough.

August 20th, 2020 by r.hettinger

Impressiv location between Kilimanjaro and the Tsavo aerea, directy at border to Kenya and above the Craterlake Chala. It is inside a Wildlife Management Area so that you have to pay for this extra. Unfortunately there is not many wildlife around because the corydor is blocked by a fence. The german Manager is buisy to find a solution. Till now one have to pay twice for the acomodation. For the Lodge/Camp and for the TWMA.
When i came here during the Corona-time no other guest were around. I wanted to stay in my Rooftoptent. But the Manager gave me an upgrade to a Luxerytent close to the Restaurant for only 10.000Tsh more. Very nice.

September 26th, 2017 by joachim

unfortunately they are crazy.
entrance 10 us$
camping 20 us$
foreign car 40 $

May 9th, 2016 by matatu.ch

People in Moshi told us that they stopped charging the conservation area fee. Unfortunately they still do! 25usd per person/24h. Although we didn't have to pay for the car.
Camping per person/night is still 10usd.

October 11th, 2015 by stefan

EXPENSIVE!!! And the Campsite is not realy well maintained.

January 2nd, 2015 by Tucks' Truck

Although the campsite is nice and reasonably priced US$10 PPPN the government has now imposed a US$25 PPPD plus US$10 P vehicle PD fee for being in the area. I our opinion this is too much for what the area has to offer.

January 1st, 2012 by unurban.no

Nice and quiet location with good views to Kilimanjaro. Campsites with braais and water. Nice toilet and shower block with hot water in the afternoon. Bar and restaurant. There is a small water hole where we saw elephants one day and baboons every day.

32 000 TZS