Materuni Waterfalls & Kikuletwa Hot Springs Day Trip
A full day on the green lower slopes of Kilimanjaro: a guided walk to the Materuni waterfall, a hands-on coffee tour with a Chagga family, and an afternoon swim at the clear Kikuletwa (Chemka) hot springs. Pickup in Arusha or Moshi.
Materuni is a farming village above Moshi, surrounded by banana groves and coffee bushes. A local village guide walks you down to the waterfall, where you can swim in the cold pool if you are brave enough. Back in the village, you pick, peel, roast and grind coffee the traditional way and taste a cup of what you made, then sit down to a local lunch.
In the afternoon we drive down to the plains to Kikuletwa, a spring-fed pool of clear, warm water shaded by big fig trees. It is the perfect place to relax after the walk before we drive you back to your hotel.
Highlights
- A guided village walk to the Materuni waterfall on Kilimanjaro's slopes
- Pick, roast, grind and taste coffee with a local family
- Swim in the warm, clear pool at Kikuletwa hot springs
- Pickup in Arusha or Moshi, in your own private vehicle
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Walking shoes with good grip
- A light rain jacket
- Some cash if you would like to buy coffee or crafts
Route Map
- By road
- Day of the trip
- Arusha
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
Your driver-guide picks you up at your hotel: at about 07:00 in Arusha, or at about 08:30 in Moshi. From Arusha the drive takes about 2 to 2½ hours past Moshi and up the green lower slopes of Kilimanjaro; from Moshi it is about 30 to 45 minutes.
In Materuni a local village guide joins you for the walk to the waterfall: roughly 45 minutes to an hour each way along paths between banana and coffee farms, with some steep sections. At the bottom you can swim in the pool below the falls, or simply enjoy the spray and the view.
Back in the village, a local family shows you how coffee goes from bush to cup: you pick the cherries, remove the husks, roast the beans over a fire and grind them by hand, then taste the coffee you made. Lunch is a local meal in the village.
After lunch we drive down to the plains to Kikuletwa (also called Chemka), a natural pool fed by underground springs. The water is clear and pleasantly warm, shaded by large fig trees. Swim, relax, and enjoy the quiet.
In the late afternoon we drive you back to your hotel: you arrive in Moshi at about 17:00 or in Arusha at about 18:30. Drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport is possible on request.
Price Per Person, By Group Size
| Pickup | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Arushapickup about 07:00 · back about 18:30 | $240 | $135 | $110 | $98 | $90 | $85 |
| From Moshipickup about 08:30 · back about 17:00 | $195 | $110 | $95 | $85 | $80 | $75 |
Price per person in US dollars, based on the number of people travelling together in one vehicle. Groups of 7 or more receive a personal quote on request. Discounts are available for children under 16.
Please note: the waterfall walk includes steep, uneven paths that can be slippery after rain, and is not suitable for travellers with limited mobility. Swimming at both stops is optional and at your own risk.
Includes
- Pick-up & drop-off at your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi
- Private vehicle with an English-speaking driver/guide
- Materuni village fee, local waterfall guide and waterfall entrance
- Coffee tour and coffee tasting
- Local lunch and drinking water
- Kikuletwa (Chemka) hot springs entrance
Excludes
- Tips for the guides
- Drinks other than water, and coffee or crafts you buy
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
Questions travellers ask
How far is Materuni from Arusha?
About 90 km, roughly 2 to 2½ hours by road, because the village lies above Moshi on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. From Moshi it is only about 15 km, around 30 to 45 minutes.
How hard is the walk to the waterfall?
It is a walk of roughly 45 minutes to an hour each way on village paths, with some steep and uneven parts that can be slippery after rain. Most reasonably fit travellers manage it; good walking shoes help.
Can I swim?
Yes, at both places. The pool below the waterfall is cold mountain water. The water at Kikuletwa is clear and pleasantly warm, not hot. Swimming is optional.
Can I do only the waterfall or only the hot springs?
Yes. Either one can be booked as a shorter trip. Send us an enquiry with your group size and pickup place and we will give you a price.
How much does the day trip cost?
From $85 per person in a group of six when you start in Arusha, and from $75 per person when you start in Moshi. For two people it is $135 each from Arusha and $110 each from Moshi. The price includes the village and waterfall fees, the coffee tour, lunch and the hot springs entrance.
