Lake Chala is located on the border of two countries - Tanzania and Kenya. This unique crater caldera freshwater lake, which is located at an altitude of 877 m above sea level on the eastern slope of Kilimanjaro volcano. Its dimensions are from 3.1 km in length to 2.4 km in width. It feeds on the underground waters of Mount Kilimanjaro. The maximum depth of the lake is 90 m, the average depth is 81 m. And, although the speed of water entering the lake remains unchanged, 10 million cubic meters per year, Chala loses its volume. Over the past few years, its depth has decreased by 2.4 m. And only in 2011 it rose by 1 m. Flora and fauna of Lake Chala The lake is surrounded by the edges of the crater, which rise 100 m above the surface. Chala is distinguished by its amazing blue, sometimes turquoise color of water. Here there is a fish-endemic - the veal of Lake Chala (Oreochromis hunteri). This fish is on the verge of destruction and is listed in the Red Book. On the banks of Chala live the largest population of crocodiles. They were brought here in the 1900s and multiplied over time, without natural enemies. They did not give rest to fishermen, constantly devastating and tearing their nets. And, after the case of the Nile crocodile attack on the woman swimming in the lake, the locals announced a hunt for these reptiles. They were shot and poisoned. Currently, crocodiles in the lake are rare and Chala is open for tourists. The coast of the lake, from the lush vegetation on the shore to the volcanic savanna, is striking with a wide variety of plant and animal life. Some of them are unique for this region. Depending on the season, colorful bright butterflies and birds flutter here. This is the habitat of predators such as the African eagle, the eagle Verre, the eagle, which nest along the edges of the crater. In the forests on the shore live blue monkeys, colobus, baboons, dik-dikis, kudu and elephants. Lake Chala is a truly wild, untouched by civilization place, little known for tourists.