Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour with Kikuletwa Hot Springs

Summary

Chagga village hike coffee making and hot springs swim

You’ll hike through lush Materuni village to its roaring waterfall, share Chagga food and banana beer, help roast and grind fresh coffee with locals, then soak in Kikuletwa Hot Springs’ clear water before heading back—muddy shoes, smoky hands, big smiles included.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound—water thundering somewhere ahead, hidden by thick green. We’d just left Moshi, bumping along in the van while our guide Musa pointed out little maize fields and kids waving from the roadside. The air smelled sharp and wet, like earth after rain. By the time we reached Materuni village, my shoes were already a bit muddy (should’ve listened about hiking boots). The walk to Materuni Waterfalls took maybe forty minutes—long enough for my shirt to stick to my back and for Musa to teach us how to say “asante” properly (I still don’t think I nailed it). When we finally saw the falls—so tall they almost disappeared into the mist above—I just stood there blinking. Some people swam but I just let the spray hit my face for a while. It was cold and loud and sort of perfect.

Lunch was in someone’s yard—Chagga stew with banana beer poured into plastic cups. Musa grinned when I made a face at the first sip (it’s… different), but it grew on me. The coffee part was honestly more fun than I expected. We helped roast beans over a fire, grinding them with big wooden pestles while two women sang something rhythmic that got stuck in my head all afternoon. My hands smelled like smoke and coffee for hours after. Drinking that cup—after all that work—felt kind of special. Maybe it was just being there, looking out over those hills with everyone laughing about who spilled what.

The drive to Kikuletwa Hot Springs was bumpy enough to make us all laugh whenever someone’s head hit the window. The place itself didn’t look like much at first—a few trees, some chatter from a little bar—but then you see the water: blue-green, so clear you can count your toes underwater. There’s a rope swing if you’re braver than me (the local kids made it look easy). I floated until my skin wrinkled up, listening to people joke in Swahili and watching sunlight flicker through leaves overhead. We left just as everything turned gold before sunset; I still think about that light sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Materuni hike, coffee tour, hot springs

• Walk to Materuni Waterfalls
• Swim at waterfall pool
• Return to Materuni village
• Enjoy traditional Chagga lunch
• Taste local banana beer
• Learn coffee cultivation and processing
• Grind coffee with Chagga songs
• Savor freshly made coffee
• Drive to Kikuletwa Hot Springs
• Relax, swim, or chat at hot springs
• Return to hotel before sunset

Top questions

How long does it take to hike to Materuni Waterfalls?

About 40 minutes each way from Materuni village along a sometimes slippery trail.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, a traditional Chagga lunch is included during your visit in Materuni village.

What should I bring for the hot springs?

Bring swimwear and a towel for swimming at Kikuletwa Hot Springs.

Can you see Mount Kilimanjaro on this tour?

If weather allows and it's not cloudy, there are good chances of seeing Kilimanjaro's summit during the hike.

Is this day trip suitable for beginners?

The hike is moderate but can be slippery; good hiking shoes are recommended but most fitness levels can manage.

Does this tour include pickup from Moshi or Arusha hotels?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included from both Moshi or Arusha.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water, soda/pop, banana beer tasting, and alcoholic beverages are included.

How far is Kikuletwa Hot Springs from Materuni?

The drive takes around 1 hour 20 minutes over partly bumpy roads.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup from Moshi or Arusha, entry fees for all sites visited, bottled water and soft drinks throughout the trip, a traditional Chagga lunch with banana beer tasting in Materuni village, plus time to swim at Kikuletwa Hot Springs before returning in the late afternoon.