Climate: Chala has  a temperate but varied climate. It can be very hot in the day  time, especially in December to March, but evenings and mornings are  cool and nights can be chilly. From May to September it can be quite  cold, warm clothes are needed in the early morning and evening.     

What to bring: We do  advise good walking shoes, and maybe a stick to go down to the lake. It  is a steep ascent. Bring binoculars for birding, sunscreen, hat,  appropriate clothes for temperature changes, check 'Taveta weather  reports'.  If you want to have a cold refreshing shower after the hike,  please bring a towel.

Walking: Chala is a wonderful area in which to walk. All walks have to be accompanied by a staff Member of Lake Chala Safari Lodge.

Birding: The Chala bird  survey is ongoing.  Birds are plentiful and raptors in particular are  many and spectacular in the area. Chala is thought to be an important  migration corridor on the eastern flank of Kilimanjaro, and unexpected  birds can be found here during migration time.  We appreciate reports of  birds seen by visitors to increase our bird survey.  

Fish: The lake is home to  the Lake Chala Tilapia, a species of fish in the cichlidae family. This  fish is endemic to Chala, but is now a threatened species due to over  fishing, a concern which needs to be adressed. That's why fishing is not  allowed at Lake Chala.

Crocodiles: Crocodiles  were introduced to Lake Chala in the 1930's. According to legend they  were brought in by E.S. Grogan, a British explorer who became famous for  walking from Cape Town to Cairo in 1898. The terrain is totally  unsuitable for crocodiles to breed, there being no beaches or sandy  areas to make their nests. In the early 1990s fishermen, angry that  their nets were continually being destroyed, began a program to  eradicate them. Since 2002 there are no longer any crocodiles left in  Lake Chala.