“An unforgettable trip. Our guide spotted a leopard on day one and knew every bird by name. Milele Expeditions made it effortless.”
The Materuni Waterfalls and coffee tour is the Kilimanjaro foothills at their greenest: a walk through Chagga banana gardens to an 80-metre waterfall, then a hands-on coffee session with the farmers who grow it. It is the classic day out from Moshi, and one of the most rewarding easy days in the north.
Materuni village sits at about 1,500 m on Kilimanjaro's southern slopes, a rough fifteen-minute track above Moshi. A local Chagga guide leads you down a green path between banana and coffee plots, past irrigation furrows the Chagga have tended for generations.
The reward is a single ribbon of water dropping some 80 metres off a mossy cliff into a cold, clear plunge pool. The spray keeps the whole amphitheatre green and loud. Brave swimmers take the plunge; everyone else photographs from the rocks.
After the falls comes the coffee. You join a farming family for the full journey from tree to cup: picking ripe red cherries, pulping them by hand, roasting the beans over a wood fire, then pounding them in a tall wooden mortar to the rhythm of the Chagga grinding song.
You drink the cup you just made, strong and fresh, with the mountain behind you. It is simple, generous and genuinely local, and your visit supports the village directly.
The walk to the falls is short but can be muddy and steep in places, so grippy shoes matter more than fitness. The plunge pool is genuinely cold; bring swimwear if you plan to get in.
Materuni is community-run, and the day is easy to combine with the rest of the region. Pair it with Chemka Hot Springs the next day, or add it to a multi-day safari.
A local team on call from first enquiry to airport drop-off. We confirm fast, monitor every departure, and our guides carry years of experience plus first-aid training. Your trip funds local employment directly.
Daily private departures from Moshi or Arusha, waterfall walk and coffee experience included. Send a quick request and we will set your date.
Collected for the drive up to Materuni village high on Kilimanjaro's green foothills.
Meet your local Chagga guide in the village where the day's walking begins.
A scenic walk down through banana and coffee farms toward the sound of falling water.
Stand beneath one of the tallest falls in the region for photos and a cold swim if you dare.
A full bean-to-cup experience with a farming family: pick, pound, roast and brew, with singing along the way.
A home-cooked Tanzanian lunch shared with your hosts.
A relaxed drive back in the afternoon.
Per person in USD. The bigger your group, the lower the price.
| Group size | Price / person |
|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $120 |
| 2 travellers | $85 |
| 3-4 travellers | $70 |
| 5-6 travellers | $65 |
From $65 per person
Prices are guide rates covering the essentials for the day. Message us for your exact quote.
Talk to our local safari experts for a tailor-made itinerary that fits your dates and budget.
Private trips start at $65 per person and the per-person price drops as your group grows - see the group-price table above. It covers a private 4x4, your driver-guide, the waterfall walk, the coffee experience and a village lunch.
We collect you from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha in the morning. Most Arusha pick-ups are around 07:00 and Moshi around 08:00.
No. It is a moderate 45 to 60 minute walk each way through Chagga banana and coffee gardens. Comfortable closed shoes are all you need.
Yes. The plunge pool at the base is cold but refreshing, so bring swimwear and a towel if you want a dip.
