It may sound like a conspiracy story of a tourist or a visitor exploring Lakes in Tanzania for a fish massage and pedicure from little Red garra rufa fish. This is because the country is mostly known as a destination for safaris with abundant wildlife species found across all the national parks and several waterfalls that provide visitors with a breathtaking experience.
It is also because tourism authorities have for long failed to market the country as a regional leader in the field of medical tourism where there are many therapeutic natural resources from mineral-rich waters and hot waterfalls and the little-known Lake for fish massage and pedicure.
In the middle of a semi-arid landscape stands this oasis of sprawling fig trees which surrounds crystal clear water that wells up from deep underground, giving the impression that it is boiling, hence the name Chemka.
Chemka Hot Springs also known as Kikuletwa or Maji Moto in Hai District
For native Chagga tribe history, healing waters and fish massage in the lake are ingredients for an intriguing story about soaking up in the magic of Chemka Hot Springs also known as Kikuletwa or Maji Moto in Hai District.
For hundreds of years, the Chagga tribes met at the hot mineral springs that flowed from the Mountain where Lake Kikuletwa is now located. They bathed, socialized, and cared for their wounds and ailments, discovering that the water had small fish that could offer pedicures.
Now the place is used for recreation and refreshment by both Tanzanians and tourists from different parts of the continent. If you are stressed and you want to explore the East African country this is the place to come and dive in.
“The place is amazing; you will go for a nice swim as the hot spring is characterized by natural waterfalls, miracle rocks, and caves.
Chemka Oasis is a unique phenomenon and the only place in Tanzania and most likely in the whole of East Africa, where the groundwater actively interacts with geothermal sources, forming several small lakes with warm, never-stagnating water, whose purity is not inferior to the best Dominican or Maldivian resorts,” said Edmund Rutaraka, Chairperson of Hai District Council.
Lосаtеd аррrохimаtеly 2 hоurs drivе frоm Моshi tоwn, the Chemka Hot Springs аrе hiddеn by a bеаutiful grееn fоrеst. The water is clear and the temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius ideal for swimming and relaxing. It can be 6 to 10 meters deep.
The water in these hot springs is crystal clear and turquoise which will surely refresh your body. It is an idеаl рlасе fоr tаking а rеlахing swim оr simрly to enjoy a trаnquil рiсniс after a Kilimanjaro Mountain hike or safari adventure.
The water that bubbles in subterranean caverns gives Chemka Hot Springs its name although the water itself is not truly hot as the name suggests. Rather it is very refreshing, coming from Mount Kilimanjaro.
Dionis Myinga, Executive Director of Hai District Council says that the authorities have set out a budget to start construction of campsites and lodges for tourists and visitors to reduce the distance traveled to reach the place.
“We are planning to develop this place since it has beautiful features
for tourist attractions. The massage fish is a value-added service as part of the wildlife safari and persons who enjoy the safari can testify to the amazing fish spa. It is a unique place. We are now promoting the hot springs to attract more local and international tourists to visit. But we are also inviting private investors to construct campsites and lodges close to Chemka to reduce the distance covered to reach there,” said Myinga
Due to the successful expansion of tourism activities, local and foreign tourist arrivals have been increasing over the years and have paved the way for higher visitor pressure on Chemka Hot Springs’ natural environment and resources.
At Chemka Hot Springs, there is some fun activity including swinging. Usually, people jump into the hot spring waters by swinging with the rope and finally throwing themselves deep into the spring water.
For the fish massage, one puts their legs into the water then the fishes come and eat the dead skin from their feet, leaving healthy skin untouched.
Chemka Hot Springs is a natural geothermal oasis located in Masama Rundugai. The name Chemka is derived from a village called Chemka in which the hot spring waters flow into the Kikuletwa River and eventually find their way to the Pangani River.
It is not advisable to drink water from this resource due to high amounts of fluoride. And due to its strong current, swimming is not good, especially for un-experienced swimmers.
As you take the spectacular wildlife safaris in Tanzania, spare time to explore the Chemka Hot Springs which is incredibly interesting.
In these hot springs, tourists can take a rest from their trip by sitting down on the edge of the water to enjoy a relaxing and tingling massage under the shade of ancient trees while listening to birds singing.
Chemka Hot Springs or Kikuletwa Lake is one of the attractive destinations at Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Article by Mike Mande
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