Loading
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Facebook
  • English Website english
  • Deutschsprachige Website deutsch
safari@tanzania-experts.com +49 176 669 969 41
Tanzania Experts
  • Safariin Tanzania
    • The 3 Safari Circuits
    • 5 Days Safari Express
    • 9 Days Safari Classic
    • 12 Days Northern Circuit Safari
    • 14 Days Southern Circuit Safari
    • 16 Days Safari and Zanzibar
    • Day Trips in Tanzania →
      • Arusha Waterfalls Day Trip
      • Kilimanjaro National Park Hike
      • Marangu Village Kilimanjaro Cultural Tour
      • Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs
      • Jozani Forest Day Trip
      • Zanzibar Stone Town Tour
      • Zanzibar Spice Tour
  • BeachZanzibar Holiday
    • Zanzibar Archipelago
    • Mafia Island
    • Tanzania Mainland Coast
  • MountainKilimanjaro & Meru
    • Mount Kilimanjaro Routes
    • Kilimanjaro Travel Guide
    • 6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame
    • 5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu
    • 6 Days Kilimanjaro Lemosho
    • 6 Days Kilimanjaro Rongai
    • 6 Days Kilimanjaro Shira
    • 5 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe
    • 4 Days Mount Meru
  • TravelInformation
    • National Parks and Conservation Areas →
      • Arusha National Park
      • Kilimanjaro National Park
      • Lake Eyasi
      • Lake Manyara National Park
      • Lake Natron
      • Mikumi National Park
      • Ngorongoro Conservation Area
      • Ruaha National Park
      • Selous Game Reserve
      • Serengeti National Park
      • Tarangire National Park
      • Udzungwa Mountains National Park
    • Hotels and Lodges →
      • Accommodations Arusha
      • Bagamoyo
      • Dar es Salaam
      • Lake Eyasi
      • Lake Manyara
      • Lake Natron
      • Mafia Island
      • Ngorongoro
      • Pangani
      • Pemba Island
      • Zanzibar North
      • Zanzibar North-East
      • Zanzibar South-East
      • Zanzibar West
      • Serengeti
      • Tarangire
    • Information about Tanzania
    • The Great Migration in Tanzania
    • The Big Five in Tanzania
    • Travel Preparation Tanzania
  • F.A.Q.frequently asked
  • AboutTanzania Experts
    • Why travel with us?
    • Tanzania Experts Blog
    • Reviews on Tripadvisor
    • Reviews on Holidaycheck
    • Terms and Conditions
  • contact
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu
  • contact
  • Safari
    in Tanzania
    • The 3 Safari Circuits
    • 5 Days Safari Express
    • 9 Days Safari Classic
    • 12 Days Northern Circuit Safari
    • 14 Days Southern Circuit Safari
    • 16 Days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar
    • Day Trips in Tanzania
  • Beach
    Zanzibar Holiday
    • Zanzibar Archipelago
    • Mafia Island
    • Tanzania Mainland Coast
  • Mountain
    Kilimanjaro & Meru
    • Mount Kilimanjaro Routes
    • Kilimanjaro Travel Guide
    • 6 Days Trekking Tour Kilimanjaro Machame Route
    • 5 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
    • 6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour Lemosho
    • 6 Days Trekking Tour Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
    • 6 Days Kilimanjaro Tour Shira Route
    • 5 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
    • 4 Days Mount Meru Trekking Tour
  • Travel
    Information
    • Tanzania National Parks and Conservation Areas
    • Hotels and Lodges in Tanzania
    • Information about Tanzania
    • The Great Migration in Tanzania
    • The Big Five in Tanzania
    • Travel Preparation Tanzania
  • F.A.Q.
    frequently asked
  • About
    Tanzania Experts
    • Why Travel with us?
    • Tanzania Experts Blog
    • Reviews on Holidaycheck
    • Reviews on Tripadvisor
    • Terms and Conditions
  • contact
You are here: Home1 / Day Trips in Tanzania2 / Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs
  • Maji Moto Hot Springs Tree Roots
Fantastic Water colors at Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs
Fantastic Water colors at Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs
Fantastic Water colors at Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs
Two young boys using a rope jumping into one of the Maji Moto pools
Two young boys using a rope jumping into one of the Maji Moto pools
One of the bigger pools at Hot Springs
One of the bigger pools at Hot Springs
Ancient Trees and Maji Moto picknick area
Ancient Trees and Maji Moto picknick area
Several smaller streams can be found in Chemka area
Several smaller streams can be found in Chemka area
A very secluded and private pool at Maji Moto
A very secluded and private pool at Maji Moto
Beautiful Nature in the Maji Moto area
Beautiful Nature in the Maji Moto area
One of the smaller pools in the Hot Springs area
One of the smaller pools in the Hot Springs area

Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs

brief overview

This day trip takes you to an idyllic oasis – a beautiful geothermal spring, better known as “Maji Moto” (Swahili for hot water), is a popular destination for locals and expats alike. The hot springs are situated in an oasis near the village Chemka, fed by an underground river from the Kilimanjaro National Park ca. 60 km to the north. On a clear day you will have exceptional views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its peaks.

The area is surrounded by very old and huge trees and feels like a natural green oasis in the African steppe. The drive time from Arusha is about 2 hours and on site the villagers run several small shops with food & drinks. Bathing in the warm and crystal clear water is very much recommended and save – there are also rubber rings for non swimmers. Camping on site is also possible. The Maji Moto area is well maintained and clean, it is managed by the local Chemka village community who charge a small entry fee.

enquire for free now
  • The very best Safari and Mountain Guides

  • Unlimited Game Drives / Safari in Nationalparks

  • Exclusive Private Safari Holidays with Great Value

  • 10+ Years Safari Expertise with Head Office in Arusha

  • Sustainable Tourism with 100% Tanzanian Company

Details
Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs

You leave your hotel or lodge in Arusha and drive about two hours to Maji Moto (from Moshi the journey is shorter). This scenic drive takes you off the beaten track. In the small village of Bomba N’Gombe you leave the tarmac road and continue on dusty tracks.

Probably nobody would expect an oasis for refreshment and relaxation in the desert-like landscape between Arusha and Moshi. On the way to this hidden paradise you pass a few isolated settlements here and there, but nothing indicates a small green oasis with lush palm and fig trees. Thus, it is not surprising that first of all one has the feeling to be on the wrong way until finally, one recognizes a lot of green in the distance.

This oasis that appears from nowhere has many names, some call it “chemka” others “maji moto” or “kikuletwa hot springs”. Once you have crossed the dense green of the palm and fig trees, the surprise is all the greater when you see the idyllic pool. The turquoise water sparkles crystal clear in the sun’s rays, giving you a clear view down to the ground. At the front end of the pool there is an underground opening from which water gushes out. The bubbles and bubbling give the impression of boiling water. This is probably the origin of the name “chemka” for the water, which means “boiling” in Swahili. However, the water is anything but boiling hot, but rather lukewarm. After driving on the dusty roads, one longs for nothing else but to jump into the pleasantly warm and crystal clear water.

Afterwards you spend a few hours in the pleasantly clear and warm water, swing into the water on a rope and relax in the shade of the old trees. Thanks to the constant, relatively strong current through the underground springs, even longer swimming is very pleasant and the small lakes have drinking water quality. Since most of the locals cannot swim, there is a life ring rental. Impress your fellow travellers when you jump elegantly into the refreshing water like Tarzan on a liana. The water depth of the springs varies depending on the location, the deepest places are estimated at 6m!

It is believed that the source of the water is fed by an underground stream of Mount Kilimanjaro. When the weather is clear, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro can also be seen from the hot springs, which is always a breathtaking photo opportunity. From the springs the water flows further downstream until it flows into a large dam, which the locals call “nyumba ya Mungu”, meaning “the house of God”. The local people use this water source to irrigate their fields, but it is unsuitable as drinking water because of its high fluoride content.

Several small bars and shops (run by the local villagers) offer Swahili dishes, grilled meat and cool drinks. After your swim in the crystal clear waters and a relaxing day you return to your lodge or continue on to your next destination.

 

Map

This might also be of interest to you:
Indian Ocean Zanzibar Beach Holiday

Zanzibar Archipelago

Two young boys using a rope jumping into one of the Maji Moto pools

Maji Moto Chemka Hot Springs

Safari Consultant Lisa walking the narrow streets of Stone Town

Zanzibar Stone Town Tour

Pages

  • About Tanzania Experts
  • Bespoke Safari in Tanzania
  • Day Trips in Tanzania
  • Enquire and Contact
  • FAQ Tanzania
  • Hotels and Lodges in Tanzania
  • Information about Tanzania
  • Kilimanjaro Travel Guide
  • Mount Kilimanjaro Routes
  • Safari in Tanzania – a brief overview
  • Search Tanzania Experts Website
  • Tanzania Experts Blog
  • Tanzania National Parks and Conservation Areas
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Thank you
  • The Big Five in Tanzania
  • The Great Migration in Tanzania
  • Travel Preparation Tanzania

Categories

  • Safari Blog

Archive

  • February 2023
  • October 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • March 2022
  • December 2021
  • March 2021
  • November 2020
  • July 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • May 2019
  • November 2018
Tanzania Experts on TripAdvisor

+49 (0) 156 783 91 703

+255 (0) 684 440 189

+49 176 669 969 41
(WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram)

safari@tanzania-experts.com

Useful Links

E-Visa Service Tansania

List of diplomatic missions of Tanzania

Travel Advisory U.S. Department of State

Tanzania Tourist Board

Association of Tour Operators

Killimanjaro International Airport

AMREF Flying Doctors

Air Tanzania

Why Tanzania Experts

Excellent Safari and Mountain Guides

Exclusive booking conditions with the best lodges

Specially converted luxury 4×4 Safari vehicles

Private tailor-made Safari itineraries with great value

Expert travel and Safari advice directly from Tanzania

Intimate knowledge of Safari operations in Tanzania

Detailed Safari programs with extensive description

Easy and secure payment to EU-bank account possible

©2024 Tanzania Experts | All Rights Reserved
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Facebook
  • Imprint
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Blog
  • Search
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top