Lake Chala Safari Lodge and Campsite

Contrary to the Google listing info, the lodge/campsite is currently closed for renovation! The former lodge is a dilapidated area. The glamping tents and their roof structures are completely tumbledown and in danger of falling apart. There is no accommodation here. New apartments are under construction. The restaurant/bar is closed! No service here, wether drinks nor food. But the view from the former restaurant veranda is quite stunning. The entire campsite area is under renovation. The old washrooms are being completely overhauled. A bar with a fireplace and roof covered seating is almost finished. Guided day trips including hiking and canoeing are still available. The view of both, Lake Chala and Kilimanjaro is breathtaking.

Lake chala is a beautiful unspoilt crater lake. The lodge is undergoing renovations but there is still one luxury tent and the restaurant and bar is open, as is kayaking. I was a solo traveller but was extremely well cared for. The bird life, silence and peacefulness is unrivalled. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and trying to get established in the tourism / guiding world. It was nice to support them. Lake chala is definitely worth a visit for a day or two

Lake Chala was just the perfect spot to start the holiday. We arrived late due to flight delay but was warmly welcomed by Thomas. We stayed in one of the Luxury Tented rooms that was looking over the lake. The room was comfortable and cosy. The staff was all very friendly and helpful, always around. The food was delicious and good portions. The home made bread for breakfast was out of the books. We stayed for 2 nights, did the walk to the look out point and down to the water edge of the lake, absolutely beautiful. We were also lucky to experience a 180 degree Rainbow over the lake, that is not an everyday sight. I will definitely recommend Lake Chala Safari Lodge if you looking for some peace and quiet. Thank you to Thomas and the staff for making us feel home. Hope to see you again in the near future.

I visited this lodge way back... October of 2006 and I still recall with fondness the greatest solo outing I ever had. I've been fortunate to travel to 52 countries and see many incredible sites but THIS ONE stands out. In those days the building was nearly abandoned. I was the only guest and the formerly beautiful wooden walls and floors were rotting away. But the views were stunning. Flowers were in bloom, the dark blue sky was reflected in the lake and I was on the border of Tanzania! It was splendid, until I got into the old chicken the former owner must have raised from a chick birthed in 1990. I never did bite through it but that was part of the charm back then. SO GLAD to see that the place is still in business and serving guests as well as providing jobs to the local community. Wishing you great success in the months ahead. This place is worth the effort to make the journey. The unforgettable journey of a lifetime.||||Cheers,||||John Connelly

Campsite is standard. Shower is running. |View from the bar is amazing. Bush walk available, it’s included the price. |Evions is very friendly and a very good guide! |Lake is walkdistance and pretty refreshing.|Don’t expect any highly luxury, but very nice bar restaurant with view.|Unique place.

A great place to spend your vacation, clean rooms and amazing view! Located right next to Lake Chala, you wake up with a spectacular view of the lake.. Food is good, staff are really nice and welcoming! Good places to walk around, river canyon with picture perfect points.. you can go Kayaking, but keep in mind swimming is at your own risk. Definitely a place to visit!

We stayed at one of the luxury tents facing the crater lake. Each morning we enjoyed amazing golden sunrises with baboons crawling through the bushes in the foreground. The tent was clean, comfortable, had a spacious washroom, coffee- and tea facilities and a small veranda to spend the midday heat. The restaurant close by had even better round views from it's position on the edge of the crater overlooking the lake. We had ordered full-board and enjoyed the food: a fusion of European, African and Asian flavours. There are no restaurants in the near surroundings of the lodge.|The friendly staff took us on short excursions twice a day: guided walks of the savannah, kayaking on the lake. Apart from that Chala is a good place to relax and wind down.

We loved our stay at lake Chala! The views are incredible, and not just of the lake. On a clear day, we could see Kenya in the distance This is definitely a hidden gem. Of the beaten path a bit, but worth it. The luxury tents were clean and well kept. You could swim, kayak, hike or just enjoy the beautiful views. It was serene and beautiful. Wish we could have stayed longer.