Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee

A walk to a waterfall on Kilimanjaro's lower slopes, and a Chagga family's coffee, from bean to cup.

A forest waterfall on the slopes of KilimanjaroPrivate day trip1 / 2

Overview

Materuni is a village on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, above Moshi. From there a local guide walks you through farms and banana groves to the falls. The paths can be steep and muddy after rain.

It suits anyone who wants a day off from game drives: there are no animals to find, just walking, people and coffee. You need to be comfortable on uneven, sometimes slippery paths.

Highlights

  • A walk to the fallsThrough farms and banana groves on Kilimanjaro's lower slopes.
  • Swim if you likeThe pool below the falls is cold, and entirely optional.
  • Coffee from bean to cupPicking, roasting, grinding by hand and drinking it, with a Chagga family.

Itinerary

Pickup: Morning, from your Arusha or Moshi hotel. From Arusha: about 2 hours each way.

Arusha National ParkTarangire National ParkKilimanjaro National ParkNgorongoro Conservation AreaLake Manyara National ParkLake ManyaraLake NatronArushaMateruniDay 11

Numbers show the order of stops; the gold line is the route, not the exact road. Parks shaded. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, Natural Earth.

  1. A forest waterfall on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

    About Materuni

    Materuni is a Chagga village on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, above Moshi, where families grow coffee in their gardens and a tall waterfall is a short walk from the road.

    Today

    Pickup from your Arusha or Moshi hotel in the morning. A local guide walks you from Materuni village through farms and banana groves to the falls, where you can swim if you don't mind cold water. Back in the village, a Chagga family takes you through their coffee from bean to cup, then the drive back to your hotel.

Price

One guide price per person, confirmed for your dates.

Price on request

  • Low · Apr–May
  • Mid · Nov–mid Dec, Jan–Mar
  • Peak · Jun–Oct, 20 Dec–10 Jan

Included & not included

What your price covers, and what to budget for separately.

Included

Not included

  • International flights. Flights to and from Tanzania are booked by you. We will suggest arrival and departure times that fit the trip.
  • Visa. Paid by you, usually online before you travel. Visa information
  • Travel insurance. A condition of travelling with us. It must cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation.
  • Tips. Always your choice, for your guide at the end of the day. How tipping works
  • Personal spending. Drinks other than water, souvenirs and anything personal.

Packing

Shoes with good grip, swimwear and a towel if you want to swim, a rain jacket and a change of clothes, insect repellent and sunscreen, and cash if you'd like to buy coffee to take home.

Read the packing guide

Visa

Most nationalities need a visa: $50 for a single entry. US citizens pay $100 for a multiple-entry visa. Apply online before you travel to avoid the queue on arrival. Fees and rules change, so check with the Tanzanian embassy in your country.

Read our travel information

Questions travellers actually ask

Moderate. It's not long, but parts are steep and can be slippery after rain. Your guide sets the pace, and anyone used to country walks will be fine.

Sometimes, on a clear morning. The mountain is often in cloud, so treat a view as a bonus.

Usually, for children who are happy walking on rough paths. The coffee tour is hands-on, which most children enjoy.

Yes, from the family who show you round. Bring some cash.

Quick enquiry

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Where to go next

More ways to spend a day from Arusha, and what to book when one day isn't enough.

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