Lake Chala, a distinctive caldera lake, is considered to be Africa’s deepest inland waterbody. The lake is replenished by underground springs from Mount Kilimanjaro and boasts a diverse range of life. The ecosystem ranges from lush lakeside forests to impressive volcanic savannahs, from artistically eroded river beds in archaic rock to dense vegetation or open ‘mbuga.’ Walking around Lake Chala offers a spellbinding experience that rekindles your connection with nature.

The variety of trees, grasses, and plants at Chala is quite extensive, including some species found only in this region. Depending on the season, you can witness hundreds of species of butterflies and birds, including magnificent birds of prey. Birds such as the African Fish Eagle, known for their hunting techniques, Verreaux’s Eagle, Augur Buzzards, and many other species can be spotted around the crater’s walls.

Chala hosts a range of wild mammals ranging from monkeys to baboons, and from dik-diks to kudu, all the way up to elephants. Chala offers a pristine slice of a truly ancient land and is worth a visit.