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Day trip

Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour (Half Day)

  • Half day
  • Materuni Village, Kilimanjaro foothills
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Overview

Just a short drive from Moshi and within reach of Arusha lies Materuni Village, a lush corner of the Chagga homeland on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. This half-day experience combines a refreshing hike to an 80-metre waterfall with a hands-on coffee tour that takes you from bean to cup.

It is a cultural and natural add-on for visitors who want more than a safari, and it fits easily into a single morning or afternoon. A longer, full-day private version is also available: see Materuni Waterfall, Coffee Tour & Chagga Cultural Experience.

  • Location: Materuni Village, Kilimanjaro Region
  • From Moshi: about 15 km (45 minutes); from Arusha: about 85 km (2 to 2.5 hours)
  • Waterfall height: roughly 70 to 80 metres
  • Hike: 45 to 60 minutes each way (easy to moderate)
  • Best time: year-round; June to October offers drier, firmer trails

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Morning (about 08:00–08:30)

    Departure

    Depart from Moshi or Arusha with your guide. The drive passes the outskirts of Moshi and climbs into the green foothills of Kilimanjaro, past banana plantations and small farms.

  2. About 09:00

    Arrival and village briefing

    A local Chagga guide meets you with a short briefing about the area, the community and the route. Register and prepare for the hike.

  3. About 09:15–10:15

    Hike to Materuni Waterfall

    The trail winds through rainforest, coffee and banana plantations and rolling hills. It is moderately challenging with some uphill sections, but no special fitness is needed. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended: the path can be uneven, muddy or slippery after rain.

    Along the way your guide points out tropical plants, local crops and perhaps colobus monkeys or tropical birds.

  4. About 10:15–11:00

    At the waterfall

    Arrive at the base of the falls and watch the water plunge roughly 80 metres into a clear natural pool. Brave visitors can swim in the plunge pool: it is cold but refreshing. It is an excellent place for photography, especially in the morning light.

  5. About 11:30–12:30

    Coffee tour and traditional experience

    After the hike back to the village, you are welcomed onto a local Chagga family’s coffee farm. Learn the full journey of Tanzanian Arabica coffee, from growing and harvesting to washing, roasting, grinding and brewing.

    Roast beans over an open fire and pound them by hand in a wooden mortar, using methods passed down through generations. Many tours include singing and storytelling, and you taste the fresh organic coffee you helped prepare.

  6. About 12:30–13:30

    Traditional Chagga lunch

    Most tours conclude with a hearty traditional lunch prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, a chance to taste authentic Chagga cuisine and enjoy the village’s hospitality.

  7. About 14:00

    Return transfer

    Your guide drives you back to Moshi or Arusha, bringing the half-day experience to a close.

  • A hiker with a red backpack looking at the Materuni Waterfall
  • A group walking with sticks along a red-earth path through the forest
  • Guests joining a Chagga coffee-pounding demonstration

Inclusions and exclusions

Price includes

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Moshi or Arusha
  • Professional guide and local village guide
  • Waterfall entry fees
  • Coffee tour and tasting
  • Traditional Chagga lunch
  • Bottled water

What to bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes (essential: trails can be muddy)
  • Sunscreen and a hat
  • Rain jacket (the weather can change quickly on the slopes)
  • Swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim at the waterfall
  • Small-denomination cash for tips or local purchases
  • Insect repellent

Why choose this tour?

Materuni offers a genuine cultural encounter and a stunning natural attraction in one compact experience. The coffee you taste is the real product of Chagga family farms, made with methods used in homes across the Kilimanjaro region, and the experience supports community-based tourism that benefits local families directly.

Practical notes, tipping and booking terms

Tipping guidelines

It is habitual to tip your safari driver-guide. Tips are paid at the end of the safari and are given to your guide, below are just a guideline for tipping:-

  • We suggest $20.00 per person in the vehicle per day for driver-guide during safari days
  • $3.00 per group for porters/waitress upon checking in and when checking out.

General Terms and Conditions

Holiday Surcharge

A supplement of US $ 50.00 per person per day will apply to all bookings on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st December and 1st January except Zanzibar accommodation

A supplement of US $ 45.00 per person per day will apply to all bookings between Easter Friday and Easter Monday (for all 4 days) as Easter holiday surcharge

Validity of Prices

Prices are valid for the periods shown but are subject to change without notice in the event of Government action, i.e. increase in hotel tax or VAT, or to increase if prices are significantly affected by other circumstances beyond our control. Prices are based on exchange rates prevailing at the time of publication and may alter should any major variation in exchange rates occur.

Payment

We do accept payment via bank transfer and credit cards. Please note that sender collects all charges. Kindly always send remittance of payments /payments proof including booking reference # after completion of transaction for our records. When paying through credit card surcharge of 5% will apply.

Prices Include

Prices quoted for safaris generally include transport as per the itinerary, airport transfers, game drives, flying doctor membership where appropriate and charged separate at price of $30.00 per person , full board accommodation, picnic/extra lunches where stated, scheduled charter flights where mentioned, Mineral water and park entrance fees.

Prices Exclude: Itinerary prices generally exclude international flights, visa costs, optional excursions, personal insurance (medical or other), drinks, tips, phone calls, laundry and any items of a personal nature.

Children Policy

Children between the age of 3 and 12years

  • Pays 60% of the adult rate if sharing a room with two adults
  • Pays 80% of the adult rate if sharing a room with another child
  • Pays 100% of the adult rates if sharing a room with one adult
  • No discount on Holiday and other supplements

Reservations, Payment and Deposits

When Destination Specialists accepts your booking, the date of the confirmation invoice activates the terms and conditions of the contract. Confirmation of services is subject to payment of a 50% of the total invoiced amount to secure space. The balance is to be paid not later than 60 days prior to commencement of the services. When bookings are made within 30 days prior to the departure date, full payment is required immediately on written confirmation.

Cancellation Policy

Should you wish to cancel your confirmed booking, you must advise the company in writing. Reservations that are cancelled, reduced in length of stay or reduced in numbers (hereinafter collectively called a CANCELLATION) are subject to Cancellation and No Show fees if cancelled within 44 days of the arrival date:

  • 150 days to 90 days prior to arrival: 25%
  • 89 days to 45 days prior to arrival: 50%
  • 44 days to 01 days prior to arrival: 100%

Full details are on our Booking Policy page.