Arusha: Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Hot Springs

Hike to an 80-Meter Waterfall, Learn Coffee from a Chagga Farmer, Then Soak in Natural Hot Springs

You hike to an 80-meter waterfall with a chance to swim, learn coffee production on a Chagga farm and taste what you made, then spend the afternoon in natural hot springs. The day includes private transport, lunch, local banana beer, and all entry fees. You'll need good hiking boots and swimwear, and the pace is steady but not rushed.

Step-by-step itinerary

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

The experience

You'll probably wonder if you can really fit three things into one day (waterfalls, coffee, hot springs), and the answer is yes, but it means starting early and moving at a steady pace. The drive from Arusha to Materuni village takes about an hour, and the village itself sits just 15 kilometers from Moshi Town, nestled between the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. Your guide meets you there, and from that point the day splits into three clear parts: the hike, the farm, the soak.

The walk to Materuni Waterfalls is around 40 minutes, and the trail gets muddy and slippery: good hiking boots aren't optional, they're essential. The waterfall itself drops more than 80 meters into a pool deep enough to swim in, and on clear mornings you can see Kilimanjaro's summit from the path. After you've swum and dried off, your guide walks you back down to the village, where a Chagga family serves a traditional lunch and offers you their local banana beer. The Chagga people are Tanzania's finest brewers, and you'll taste why.

Next comes the coffee farm. You'll see how beans are picked, dried, roasted, and ground, and then you'll help grind a batch yourself, usually while the farmers sing traditional songs. It's not performed for tourists. It's just how they do it. You roast your own cup and drink it there, looking out over the rainforest. After that, the drive to Kikuletwa Hot Springs takes about an hour and 20 minutes over rough terrain. The springs are warm, clear, and ringed by a small bar where locals sit and chat. There's a rope swing if you want it. You can swim, rest in the sun, or talk to whoever's there. The day ends in late afternoon when you head back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, tired and clean.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, the hike to Materuni Waterfalls, a traditional Chagga lunch with local banana beer, a guided coffee farm tour where you roast and taste your own cup, entry to Kikuletwa Hot Springs with several hours to swim and relax, bottled water and soft drinks throughout, and all entry fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Materuni Waterfalls, coffee tour and Kikuletwa Hot SpringsGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 08:30Pickup is included

4WD, offroad JeepGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 08:30Upgrade to a customized Land Cruiser safari for a better experience, since this tour follows rough roads on the way to the hot springs. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by safari soles tours

Is this one for you?This works well if you want to experience three different parts of the region (mountains, local farming, and natural hot springs) without arranging separate guides and transport. The fixed itinerary and private driver mean you move through each stop on schedule and don't have to negotiate timing or logistics yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (5 to 9 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the hike to Materuni Waterfalls?

Around 40 minutes each way. The trail can be slippery and muddy, so sturdy hiking boots are necessary.

Can you see Mount Kilimanjaro on this tour?

There's a good chance on clear mornings from the trail to the waterfalls, but visibility depends on weather and cloud cover.

What's included in the price?

Private transport, the waterfall hike, coffee farm tour with tasting, lunch, local banana beer, entry to Kikuletwa Hot Springs, bottled water, and all fees and taxes.

How much time do you spend at the hot springs?

A few hours in the afternoon. You can swim, rest, or chat at the small bar. You leave in late afternoon before sunset.

Do you need to bring swimwear?

Yes. Bring swimwear and a towel for both the waterfall pool and the hot springs.

Is this tour suitable for people who aren't very fit?

The hike is moderate and the pace is steady. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but it's suitable for most fitness levels if you're comfortable with a 40-minute walk on a muddy trail.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour is a full day, around 8 hours. You'll be picked up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi in the morning and returned in late afternoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You'll have a traditional Chagga lunch at the village, plus local banana beer and coffee you make yourself at the farm.