1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi

Our 1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi is a popular excursion that blends cultural immersion, physical activity, and relaxation.

This full-day itinerary combines a morning of culture and hiking at Materuni Waterfall with an afternoon of relaxation at the Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs.

The tour lasts 7–9 hours, starting with a hike to a 70–90m waterfall, followed by a hands-on coffee-making session with the Chagga people, and ending with a swim in the turquoise geothermal pools of Kikuletwa (Chemka).

1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi Highlights

Tastings: Sampling of freshly brewed organic coffee and sometimes local banana beer (“Mbege”)
Cultural Entertainment: Traditional Chagga songs and dances performed during the coffee ceremony
Hot Springs Relaxation: Time for swimming in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Kikuletwa Hot Springs, surrounded by palm and fig trees
Waterfall Hike: A guided 40–60 minute walk through lush rainforest to the 80m–90m high Materuni Waterfall, with opportunities to swim in the natural pool

1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi Itinerary

Morning: Materuni Village & Waterfall

0830 Hours – 09:00 Hours Departure & Drive: Pick-up from your hotel in Moshi for a 30–45 minute drive to Materuni Village (approx. 15 km).
09:00 – 11:00 Hours Waterfall Hike: A guided 40–50 minute walk through lush rainforest, coffee, and banana plantations leads to the Materuni Waterfall, which stands over 80 meters high. You can swim in the cool mountain pool at the base.
1100 Hours – 13:00 Hours Coffee Tour & Traditional Lunch: Return to the village for a hands-on coffee experience. You will participate in the traditional Chagga process of roasting, grinding, and brewing organic coffee, often accompanied by local songs and dancing. Following the tour, enjoy a traditional Chagga lunch, typically including local dishes like pilau (spiced rice) or ndizi (bananas)

Afternoon: Kikuletwa Hot Springs

1300 Hours – 1430 Hours Drive to Hot Springs: A 1-hour and 20-minute drive over partly bumpy roads leading through sugar cane plantations and African scrubland.
1430 Hours – 1700 Hours: Swimming & Relaxation: Arrive at Kikuletwa Hot Springs (also known as Chemka Hot Springs). The water is crystal clear and turquoise, surrounded by palm and fig trees. Despite the name, the water is a refreshing lukewarm temperature rather than hot. Activities: Use the rope swing for diving, swim in the natural pools, or enjoy a “fish pedicure” from the small doctor fish in the water.
1700 Hours – 1830 Hours Return to Moshi: Depart the springs just before sunset for the ~1 hour drive back to your accommodation in Moshi

Essential Packing List

Cash: For personal expenses or purchasing locally sourced coffee beans
Swimwear: Bring a swimsuit and a towel for both the waterfall and the hot springs
Sun Protection: Sunscreen and a hat for the open landscape around the hot springs
Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or sneakers, as the waterfall trail can be muddy and slippery

1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi Inclusions

Bottled Water: Provided throughout the trip
Transportation: Round-trip private transfers from your hotel or designated pickup point in Moshi (or Arusha)
Lunch: A traditional hot Chagga lunch (often featuring rice/pilau, local vegetables, and fruits) or a packed lunch box
Professional Guide: An English-speaking local guide who provides commentary on Chagga culture, flora, and fauna
All Entry Fees & Taxes: Admission for Materuni Village, the Materuni Waterfalls, and Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs
Coffee Experience: Hands-on participation in the traditional coffee-making process—from bean harvesting and roasting to grinding and tasting

Our 1 Day Materuni village tour includes the following activities: a village walk, a guided waterfall hike, a coffee tour, a Chagga traditional dance demonstration, a sampling of local Chagga Food, and a visit to Kikuletwa Hot Springs.

Materuni village is in the Uru area and is the home of the Chagga people. The village is located in the northern part of Moshi town, only 15 km from the town center. Materuni village is also the last village before entering Kilimanjaro National Park and sits approximately 1,800 meters above sea level.

The tour begins with a walk (approximately 40 minutes) to a 90m high waterfall. Along the way, you will learn about the Materuni village economy, agriculture, cultural life, and the surrounding fauna and flora. Please bring a swimsuit & towel as there is a beautiful place to take a dip, and you are most welcome to enjoy the natural pool.

Next, you will return to the village and enjoy some local Chagga food for lunch. The typical Chagga menu includes rice/pilau, local vegetables, and many village fruits. You will also experience the traditional coffee processing technique and help make organic Materuni coffee.

Here you will also learn how coffee is cultivated, dried, and roasted. While you produce your own cup of coffee, you are invited to listen, dance, and sing with the Chagga people – a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

After the coffee tour in Materuni, your trip continues to the Kikuletwa Hot Springs, which is located about an hour and 20 minutes. The hot springs of Kikuletwa, also known as Chemka Hot Springs, are close to the village of Rundugai.

Although they are called hot springs, the water in Kikuletwa is not truly ‘hot’ but refreshing, as the water source is fed by Kilimanjaro itself. Here you will enjoy the crystal clear, turquoise water, which invites you to a refreshing bath, so bring your bathing suit.

We leave the hot springs in the late afternoon (just before sunset) and return to Moshi relaxed.

1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi

0830 Hours: You will be picked up in Moshi in the morning, by our English-speaking guide, who will drive you to Materuni Village. Upon arrival, you will register at the village office before the trip begins.

0900 Hours: First, you will visit the waterfalls, which are around a 40-minute walk away. On the way, your guide will inform you about the culture of the Chagga, and village life and explain the surrounding fauna and flora. The views are truly breathtaking, and with some luck, you will see the summit of Kilimanjaro.

When you reach the waterfalls, you will see that they are more than 80 meters high. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is an inviting place for a refreshing swim so don‘t forget your swimwear!

1300 Hours: After having enjoyed the scenery, you slowly return with your guide to Materuni village, where you will experience a traditional Chagga lunch. You also will have the opportunity to taste our local banana beer – definitely not to be missed!

But that’s not all. Next, the coffee experience awaits you. Here you will learn how coffee is cultivated, dried, roasted, and processed. You will also be invited to help with the

grinding of the coffee, which is traditionally accompanied by Chagga songs and dances – a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Before you say goodbye, you can savor the coffee you made and appreciate the views of the surrounding rainforest.

1500 Hours: After the coffee tour in Materuni, your trip continues to the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. The ride to the hot springs takes about an hour and 20 minutes and leads partly over bumpy slopes. First, we go past sugar cane plantations and then to the African scrubland. Dried river beds, baobab, and acacia trees accompany us on our way.

The hot springs of Kikuletwa, also known as Chemka Hot Springs, are close to the village of Rundugai and are one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania to relax. The small pond is surrounded by palm and fig trees with winding roots and the crystal clear, turquoise water invites you to a refreshing bath.

Although they are called hot springs, the water in Kikuletwa is not truly ‘hot’ but refreshing, as the water source is fed by Kilimanjaro itself. Enjoy a wonderful afternoon just as you want, in the sun dozing, chatting with the locals at the small bar, or swimming – you determine the course.

We leave the hot springs in the late afternoon (just before sunset) and return relaxed to Moshi.

1-Day Materuni Waterfall & Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs tour from Moshi Prices