Chemka Hot Springs Day Trip (Kikuletwa Springs Experience)

A Chemka hot springs day trip is a relaxing escape from the heat and dust of northern Tanzania's towns. Also known as Kikuletwa Springs, Chemka is a natural oasis between Moshi and Arusha, where crystal-clear turquoise water rises from underground and fills a series of pools in the middle of dry country.

The water at Chemka is warmed by geothermal activity deep below the ground, so it stays pleasantly warm all year round. The springs are shaded by large fig trees whose roots and branches reach over the water, keeping the area cool and green even on hot days. The contrast between the dusty plains around you and the clear blue pools is one of the first things visitors notice.

Once you arrive, the day moves at your own pace. You can swim and float in the warm water, watch small fish move around your feet, or swing from the ropes hanging from the trees and drop into the pool. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, there are shady spots to sit, read and simply enjoy the calm surroundings. The setting is also excellent for photography, with the light filtering through the fig trees onto the water.

A local lunch can be arranged, giving you a taste of Tanzanian home cooking in a relaxed outdoor setting.

Chemka is at a low altitude of around 700 metres, so the day is easy and suitable for most travellers, including families. It is an excellent way to rest tired legs after climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, or to unwind before or after a safari. Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection, and enjoy a day that is all about slowing down.

Chemka, also called Kikuletwa, is a spring-fed oasis between Moshi and Arusha, where clear turquoise water rises in a ring of palm and fig trees. The water is warm enough to be pleasant all year, and the pool is deep enough to swim in. A rope swing and shaded picnic areas make it a relaxed place to spend half a day after a Kilimanjaro climb.

It is not a hot spring in the sense of steaming water, but the temperature is comfortable and the setting is a surprise in dry country. Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection, and expect other visitors at weekends. The trip includes the transfer and the visit; check with us for lunch arrangements and timing.