Lake Chala

Lake Chala is a crater lake in a caldera on the border of Tanzania and Kenya on the eastern edge of Mount Kilimanjaro north of Taveta County. It is also known as Dschalla.

Unique about this lake is that depending on the time of year, it’s ranges from deep blue to turquoise and green and is surrounded by a 100 metres high crater rim offering spectacular views. This stunning volcanic area is rapidly growing in tourism.

The lake is fed by groundwater flows which come from Mount Kilimanjaro.  It is fed and drained underground at a rate of about 10 million m³ / year.  Lake Chala loses volume and its levels have dropped in the last 6 years by 2.4 metres and during the start of 2011 the water level rose again by over 1 metre.

The lake is home to the endemic Lake Chala tilapia which is now considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN red list of threatened species.

Crocodiles were introduced to Lake Chala in the early 1900s, and in 2002.  After a woman was killed by a rare Nile crocodile while swimming in the lake and the local fishermen tired of having their nets ripped to pieces, they started an eradication program by shooting and poisoning the reptiles. It is doubtful if any crocodiles remain in the lake today.

Ref: Wikipedia