Chemka Hotsprings in Tanzania : Chemka Hotspring is among the most spectacular hot springs in Tanzania, located in North western part of Tanzania at a place called Boma Ngombe in Arusha. It is about 70 Km away from Arusha City and takes about two-hour drive to go there. The place is so beautiful with blue colored water. It is also near Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi, the tallest free standing mountain in the world.
The history of Chemka Hotspring
The part of the history tells that years ago the ancestors used to go there at the oasis to pray on all their problems. They believed there were spiritual gods over there. They would come and do some murmuring prayers and they would talk to their spirits for a long moment and they would make their dreams come true and make everything they prayed for to happen. Like the ones who hand problem of getting a good husband, wife, a job and may other personal problems could just go there and deliver his / her prayers.
Now the place is used for recreation and refreshment by both Tanzanians and other tourist from different parts of continents. Now if you are stressed and you want to explore Tanzania this is the place to come and dive in. The place is amazing; you will go into a nice swim.
Fees for various services at Chemka Hotspring
The cost of diving into water paid by Tanzanians is about TZS 5,000/=, which is approximately $ 2. But, for foreigners you will be charged $ 5 for adult and $ 2 for the children. Swimming in the hot water spring is all included in the costs paid at the reception. Arriving there is so exciting. The place is very welcoming and it looks so cool and clear.
Entertainments
After payments, you will look for someone to guide you in swimming. The reason you must be guided in the swimming process is that the hot spring water is deep in some of its sections. The oasis is about 20 feet deep. But there is a section which goes up to 20 meters deep. So you need to be guided while swimming over there.
There are Tanzanian youths who stay there as volunteers. Their main job is to guide people in swimming in hot water springs. You will have to choose one among them to guide you but in the end, you will have to pay him according to the way you negotiated with him at the beginning about the guidance prize. For those who do not know much about how to swim or fear diving in the water, there are floaters there with which you can dive to help you float on the water.
Before swimming, you will have to get into a nearby changing room with grass as the enclosure.
Entering the place, you swing and dive into the water whether it is cold or hot the place is fine. The name Chemka is vocabulary from the Swahili Language. The word ‘Chemka’ is a Swahili word that means ‘boiling’. It was given this name because the oasis produces warm water with a similar temperature to boiled water. The water doesn’t boil but it is kind of warm. So there is so much history, there’s so much beauty to see You can be amazed.
Another thing not to forget to come with is a waterproof camera. This is very important in taking photos or recording videos for later review and memory of your visit to Tanzania while on Tanzania Safaris. If you are lacking that kind of camera you can use your smartphone to have video records and photoshoots while at Chemka Hotspring.
There is more enjoyment you can have at Chemka Hotspring. Apart from swimming in Hotspring water, you can choose to swing with a long rope tied from the top of the tree. The swinging involves the side-to-side movement by a rope. Usually, people jump into the hot spring water by swinging with the rope and finally throwing themselves deep into the hot spring water.
Also, there is a fish massage at Chemka Hotspring. The fish massage is like this, you put your legs into the water then the fishes come and eat the dead skin from your footprints. It is an unbelievable water hole. You get hit by little species of tilapia water fish which for a local name are called ‘massage fish’. It is a very nice experience to have a fish massage though you enjoy the feeling of the way they play with your legs.
Cultural items
After swimming enjoyments, fish massage and swinging over the Hotspring. There is now a local cultural shop to which you buy African cultural items like huts, drawing pictures, dresses, Maasai sandals, key holders, bangles, chains, neckless, and weaving buckets. All these items are not that much expensive, the cost is negotiable per item. They are so attractive and I hope once you visit the Hotspring you won’t leave without having at least one item to go with.
Food
Let me show you the kind of food there around to get you an experience, Chemka Hotsprings in Tanzania.
Before you begin to step inside the restaurant, there is a kiosk outside the restaurant to which you can stop first to buy coconut. The price of one coconut (‘dafu’ in Swahili) is TZS 1,500 approximately 1 dollar.
In the restaurant, there is a supper food Menu of local chips mayai, African Pilau, Rice, chicken chips, Meat, and other local delicious. You can get anything you want once at Chemka Hotspring.
At the bar, there are wines, brewed alcohol, and other types of drinks that you may need. During the nighttime, there are singers and dances by local Swahili singers. You can dance, watch and have conversations with Tanzanians, and ask them more questions as you enjoy smooth drinks.
Accommodations
Chemka Hotspring is widely known as Camping Tourism. People do sleep there at Chemka. The camps are cool and you stay fine when you are there. The experience of sleeping in camps is very nice. The price of staying at a camping site for one night is about $ 50.
If you are not interested to stay in camps you can go to Hotels in Arusha City or Moshi Town which take about a 2-hour drive. The cost of one-night sleep in hotels starts from $ 100 onwards. The price of hotel accommodation does vary depending on the quality of the hotel you have chosen either luxurious or a normal hotel and the services provided at the hotel. Also, there are lodges and guest houses in which you can stay a night after your visit. There are more options you can have about accommodation issues but, all these depend on your safari budget.
How do you reach the Chemka Hotspring?
Chemka Hotspring is easily accessible from any corner of the world. The first way is, Fly to Arusha Airport and take a taxi or Uber from the Airport direct to Chemka Hotspring. The second way, fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Moshi Town, from there now Chemka Hotspring lies a few kilometers south-eastern of the airport. It is just about 30 Km and takes about 48 minutes to arrive by taxi. The third way, fly to Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam. From Dar es salaam fly to Arusha Airport in Kisongo Arusha City. Now use land transport vehicles to drop you at Chemka Hotspring.
