Chemka - also known as Kikuletwa - is northern Tanzania’s favourite rest-day spot: a startling turquoise pool that rises from Kilimanjaro’s underground rivers, ringed by giant fig trees full of monkeys. Despite the name (chemka means boiling in Swahili) the water is not hot but perfectly warm, filtered through volcanic rock and emerging crystal clear, ten metres deep in places yet so transparent you can count the pebbles on the bottom. It is a place to swim at leisure, swing from a rope in the fig branches, and picnic in the shade while tilapia nibble harmlessly at your toes. The drive out through sunflower fields and Maasai rangeland is half the fun. After a dusty safari or a hard trek, few things feel better than this water.
Warm, turquoise water up to ten metres deep.
Giant figs full of blue and vervet monkeys.
Swing from the branches into the pool.
Shaded BBQ spots beside the water.
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