Firstly, you should know that there is no public transport to Kikuletwa Hot Springs, the only ways to get there is either through a private tour or by using a dala dala + taxi/boda boda combination.

Usually a day tour to the Chemka hot springs from Moshi, which includes transport from Moshi, entrance fee and lunch would cost around 60$ or £45, booked in town. This fee does not include tips and, as everything else around, is negotiable.

The price is lower is there are more people, so find some travel companions in the hotel if you want to pay less. If you book a tour, you have about four hours to spend at the spring, which is plenty of time for a proper relaxation session.

A day trip to Kikuletwa Hot Springs is a very relaxing experience. The water at Kikuletwa Hot Springs has a beautiful turquoise color, almost unreal. The lagoons are surrounded by banyan trees, with roots cross over the shore and descent deep towards the bottom of the springs.

There are two options to get into the water: either you use an old wooden staircase, or you jump in the deeper part of the lagoon. As soon as you step onto the ladder, little fish will “attack” your feet and start nibbling the dead skin on your feet. It’s like a free fish spa treatment. If you have never done it, you will probably feel ticklish and maybe even uncomfortable. But no worries, as soon as you start moving around, the fish will leave you alone.

There are not a lot of facilities at Chemka Hot Springs, so it is recommended to arrive with your bathing suit on, ready for swimming. You can leave your changing clothes in the car, with your driver. I have been to the ATM just before visiting the hot springs, and my driver kept my backpack with him, making sure that it’s safe.

The changing room is kind of hut without a roof where with gaps between the wooden branches and no flooring. It’s better to change in the car if you have this possibility or wrap a towel around you.

The toilets are very basic, the squatty type, but clean. You do need to bring your own toilet paper.

On site there is one restaurant from where you can buy local food such as chips with eggs or barbecued meat, and cold drinks.

Besides your bathing suit and a change of clothes, make sure to pack a towel and a pareo as well, which you can use as a blanket to sit on, if the picnic tables are not available.

If you have an underwater camera such as a GoPro, or a waterproof case for your phone, bring them on. The underwater landscape is pretty cool to take photos of.

Wear flip flops to avoid getting mud on your feet. The area close to the water can get muddy.

As I mentioned above, there is one restaurant at Kikuletwa hot springs which serves basic but tasty Tanzanian dishes, such as chipsi mayai or barbecued meat. I had the chipsi mayai, which is a delicious Tanzanian dish translating pretty much as omelette fries. It is eaten with loads of ketchup on top and a fresh vegetables salad on the side.