Kikuletwa Hotspring day trips

A little oasis just a short drive off the main road between Moshi and Arusha, the Kikuletwa hotsprings are the perfect place to relax and one of the best things to do in Arusha and Moshi area.

And as it’s not only the destination that counts, the journey up to the hot springs is one to remember as well. Several roads lead here and we’ll pick the best one according to the time of the year.

You’ll drive through sunflower fields in May and June and through a sea of red flowers and sugar cane at the end of the year, at TPC sugar plantation, Moshi. And on clear days, you’re in for some beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro, no matter what month it is.

Take a dip in the refreshing water (Surpriiiise! The water’s not hot as you might have expected, as it comes directly from Kilimanjaro), walk around the surrounding area, watch local boys jump from a rope into the water, showing some seriously impressive moves, or eat some chips mayai or chips kuku (an omelet with chips inside or chicken and chips) as you enjoy the shadow of the beautiful palm and fig trees.

How to get to the Chemka hot springs

If you go by car, the hotsprings are a 1,5 hour drive from Moshi and a good 2 hour drive from Arusha. You can organize your own taxi or book a tour with a registered tour business in Moshi or Arusha if you don’t want to deal with organizing it yourself or if you don’t know a reliable driver.

Another way to get there is by combining public transport and cheap local private transport. Start by taking a daladala (minibus) to Boma N’gombe and there, find a bajaji (tuktuk) that is willing to drive you to the hotsprings. Be aware that the road from Boma N’gombe is super bumpy and bajajis are definitely not the most comfortable means of transport.

As for the part in the daladala, it might be less bumpy but there’s a saying in Tanzania that goes ‘There’s 1 thing in Tanzania that is never full: a daladala’, so you should probably avoid this option if you struggle to share your private space with 17 others that are – just like you – sweating their lives away in a packed daladala. If you choose this option, leave early as it will take you much longer than 1,5 or 2 hours to get there.

How much does it cost to visit the hot springs?

Of course the price will depend on your means of transport and whether or not you use a tour operator or go there by yourself. And if you chose the taxi or public transport options, you’ll have to put your negotiating skills to the test in order to get a fair price for the bajaji or taxi part or you might end up paying just as much as the price of an organized tour.

The number of people in your group also has an important impact on the price and the difference between the different transport options can become bigger or smaller depending on this.

Here’s an idea of prices for a trip to the Kikuletwa hotsprings with Moshi as a starting point:

Chemka hot springs day trip with a tour operator:

A correct price would be around 45 USD per person in a group of 4 to 6 people, 55 USD per person in a group of 3 or 65 USD per person in a group of 2. This includes transport, entrance fees, food, drinks and the services of not necessarily a guide but a driver who knows the place, can give you more information about the hotsprings as well as Tanzania in general and who will take care of everything for you (including watching your stuff while you swim).
You can find it for cheaper but if you do, it’s highly unlikely that you’re dealing with a registered tour business that pays taxes and licenses and does things by the book.

By taxi:

A taxi (normal car, max. 4 people) will take you to the hotsprings for around 100.000 TZS if you negotiate. For this amount they’re supposed to wait for you until you’re finished.
Entrance fees charged range between 20.000 and 25.000 TZS per person if you go without a tour.
For a group of 2 this brings the total to aprrox. 75.000 TZS or 33 USD per person excluding food, drinks and the services of a guide.
Add around 7 USD per person for food and drinks at the hotsprings and you’ll pay a total of 40 USD per person without guide.

By public transport:

The daladala ride from Moshi to Boma N’gombe should cost no more than 2000 TZS per person.
For the bajaji ride you really have to negotiate as they might ask you for more than the price of a taxi. It’s difficult to give an estimation as bajaji drivers can be very stubborn and stick to the way-too-high price they’re asking but you shouldn’t pay more than 30.000 TZS per bajaji. For this amount they’re supposed to wait for you until you’re finished. Keep in mind the fact that 4 people fit in a taxi and only 2 in a bajaji (you can fit 3 for short rides but don’t underestimate how long it’s going to take before you decide to take 1 bajaji for 3 people).
Entrance fees charged range between 20.000 and 25.000 TZS per person if you go without a tour.
For a group of 2 this brings the total to 42.000 TZS or 18 USD per person excluding food, drinks and the services of a guide.
Add around 7 USD per person for food and drinks at the hotsprings and you’ll pay a total of 25 USD per person without guide.

If you have enough time, I’d say any option can work for you depending on your budget and how adventurous you want to get. If however, like many people who visit Tanzania, you only really have 1 or 2 days in Moshi or Arusha and just came back from a safari, you’ll probably be more tired than you’d expect and the tour operator or taxi option might be the better pick. Don’t forget to consider how important it is for you to have a driver that can give you more information as well, as you won’t get that service unless you book a tour with a tour company.

Facilities you can expect to find & what to bring

Facilities at the hotsprings are basic but you’ll find a bar/restaurant with simple local dishes, squat toilets, a place to rent goggles, tire tubes etc. and a changing cabin. They recently put some tables and benches but it’s usually not enough for everybody and they’re also not the most comfortable (or even just straight).

You should definitely bring a towel, a bathing suit and sun screen. If you have a GoPro or any other device that can shoot underwater videos and images, I’d definitely recommend that as well. But I’m sure the half-up-half-under pictures higher up in this post have already convinced you of that

KIkuletwa Hotspring day trips itinerary

We will pick you up in the morning. The ride to the hot springs takes about an hour and leads partly over bumpy slopes. First we go past sugar cane plantations, then we come to the African scrubland. Dried river beds, baobab and acacia trees accompany us on our way.

The hot springs of Kikuletwa, also known as Chemka Hot Springs, are close to the village of Rundugai and are one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania to relax. The small pond is surrounded by palm and fig trees with winding roots. In the morning, Blue Monkeys can often be observed in the trees, whilst the crystal clear, turquoise water invites you to a refreshing bath. Although they are called hot springs, the water in Kikuletwa is not truly ‘hot’ but refreshing, as the water source is fed by Kilimanjaro itself.

Enjoy a wonderful day in just the way you want, in the sun dozing, chatting with the locals at the small bar, or swimming – you determine the course of this day. At noon we will have a picnic lunch, and in the late afternoon we return relaxed to Moshi.

Prices / included services

Pricing for the Kikuletwa Hot Springs (per person)
1 Person	2 Persons	3 Persons	4 Persons	5 Persons and more
80 USD	60 USD	50 USD	40 USD	35 USD

All prices are based on USD and include: English speaking driver, entry fees for the hot springs, private transport from/to Moshi, picnic lunch, bottled water.

The above mentioned rates are only valid for a group that has booked together and are independent of the total number of participants in the tour. For children the following discounts apply: 1 child under 5 years 100% (further children under 5 years 50 %), 5-12 years: 50%. Children with a 100% discount are not included in the total number of the group. The stated children’s discounts are limited to 2 children per group. If more children (up to and including 12 years) travel with the group, we are gladly prepared to make you an individual offer.

You may pay for this tour in USD or equivalent in TZS (Tanzanian Shillings) on the date of the tour in cash. Please be aware that USD minted in 2006 or prior will not be accepted.

Activities in Kikuletwa Hotspring

ACTIVITY INCLUDES:

Experience the strong natural currents when close to the water vents
Practice your water entry techniques using the rope swing
Take the pretty “Sugar Road” back to Moshi, passing Baobab trees and one of the largest sugar cane estates in Tanzania.

Why you should add Kikuletwa to your Bucket list ?

This activity is located near Moshi, a 2 hours drive from Nyumbani Hostel. We started our adventure at 9 o’clock in the morning and drove through the morning traffic of Arusha. After passing a few villages, evading a herd of donkeys and admiring the nature(on a clear day you´ll see the Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain of Africa) we reached our destination: The Kikuletwa Hot Springs also known as Maji Moto or Chemka Hot Springs.

I’ve rarely seen such clear and blue water! With big trees, palms and other plants surrounding the clear water, it seemed like we discovered a hidden oasis.

We´ve been there early, which I would recommend to take good photos because later it gets really crowded. If you have goggles or a GoPro, bring it! The sights under water are really stunning and material for good photos.

It’s possible to borrow a rubber ring for 5 000 shillings, which is definitely more relaxing because the current is pretty strong and swimming can be transformed into a small workout. 🙂

Besides, there is a swing loop to use and jump in the water or try other stunts. If that´s not your thing just watch the guests or locals doing spins and somersaults at the robe or jumps from the five metre high tree. That´s a small attraction for itself.

While swimming or dipping your toes in the water you may feel a tickle. These are small fish which are eating your dead skin, mainly on your feet. Sounds weird or even disgusting, but remember somewhere else people are paying a lot of money to get this kind of pedicure.

After a few hours you will definitely be hungry. There are local restaurants where you can grab lunch. It is freshly made and very delicious! After swimming and being in the water, a real treat!

These Hot Springs are worth a visit, so will get a unique experience in this hidden paradise.