Day trip

Kikuletwa Hot Springs Day Trip

Duration1 day
Per person$70 – $150
Places visited
  1. Arusha or Moshi
  2. Kikuletwa Hot Springs

Overview

Out in the dry farmland between Arusha and Moshi, a spring-fed pool of clear, blue-green water appears among a stand of tall shade trees. This is Kikuletwa, also known as Chemka, and it is one of the easiest ways to cool off and slow down after days on dusty safari roads or a week on Kilimanjaro.

The water rises from underground and is warm rather than hot, closer to a heated swimming pool than a spa bath. It stays fresh because it keeps flowing, and it is clear enough to see well below the surface. Rope swings hang from the branches, and you can float on a tube, jump in from the bank or simply rest on the shore under the trees.

Tanzania Tourism Safaris collects you from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi in the morning, in a private vehicle, and brings you back in the late afternoon. Lunch, snacks and cold drinks are taken care of. Small stalls near the springs sell local food and drinks, and massage and steam bath services are offered on site if you want to add one.

Tour highlights

  • Swim in clear, naturally warm spring water
  • Rope swings and tubes in the shade of tall trees
  • Private pickup in Arusha or Moshi
  • Lunch, snacks and cold drinks included
  • Easy rest day after a safari or Kilimanjaro climb

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Morning: Drive Out to the Kikuletwa Springs Meals Lunch

    After pickup at your hotel, the drive heads into the countryside, with the last stretch on a rough, bumpy dirt track. On arrival, change and spend the day at the water’s edge: swim across the pool, try the rope swing, float on a tube or rest in the shade. Lunch is served at the springs, with snacks and cold drinks through the day. In the late afternoon you drive back to your hotel, or straight to the airport if you are flying out.

Prices by season

Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.

Season1 traveler2 travelers4 travelers6 travelers
Low season 1 Mar – 31 May $140 $90 $80 $70
High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb $145 $95 $85 $75
Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan $150 $99 $90 $80

Tour price includes

  • Private transport with hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Entry fees and taxes
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Cold drinks

Tour price excludes

  • Massage and steam bath services at the springs
  • Food and drinks bought from local stalls
  • Tips and personal spending
  • Travel insurance

Questions about this trip

How hot is the water at Kikuletwa?

Despite the name, the springs are warm rather than hot. The temperature is comfortable for swimming for hours at a time, much like a heated pool, so you can stay in the water for most of the day.

What should I bring?

Pack a swimsuit, a towel, sandals or water shoes, sunscreen and a change of clothes. A waterproof bag is useful for your phone. Some cash in small notes is handy if you want snacks from the stalls or a massage.

Can I go to the airport straight from the springs?

Yes. If your flight leaves in the evening, we can drop you at the airport at the end of the day instead of your hotel. Let us know your flight time when you book so the timing works.

Is it suitable for non-swimmers?

Yes, with care. Some of the water is deep, so non-swimmers should stay close to the bank, keep hold of a tube and skip the rope swings. Your guide will show you the calmer spots, and the shady bank is a pleasant place to relax.

Before you go

Listed in Day trips

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