Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour — Walk Kilimanjaro’s Coffee Slopes with Local Farmers

Moshi•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

4–5 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness—able to walk several kilometers on uneven ground and manage short steep sections.

Overview

Walk through coffee gardens and Chagga villages to a thundering waterfall on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. This half-day Materuni tour pairs hands-on coffee processing with a scenic hike to a cool plunge pool.

Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour — Walk Kilimanjaro’s Coffee Slopes with Local Farmers

Bus Tour

Brewery

Walking Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step off the minivan into a warm, green hush—the air here smells of damp earth and fresh coffee cherries. Narrow footpaths thread between banana stands and terraced coffee bushes; a rooster calls from a distant compound and the trail slopes gently toward a river that seems to dare you to follow it downstream. This is Materuni, a working village on Mount Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes where mornings are measured in cups of hand-roasted coffee and afternoons by the rumble of a waterfall.

Adventure Photos

Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour — Walk Kilimanjaro’s Coffee Slopes with Local Farmers photo 1

Adventure Tips

Wear grippy shoes

Trails include wet rock and muddy sections—low hiking shoes or trail runners with good traction will keep you steady.

Bring a light rain shell

Mist from the falls and sudden showers are common; a packable waterproof keeps you comfortable during the descent.

Carry small local currency

Vendors and guides accept Tanzanian shillings for coffee purchases and tipping—ATMs are limited in villages.

Pace for steep sections

There are short, steep stretches and stone steps; take your time and use walking sticks if you have knee issues.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Sunbirds
Blue monkeys (occasionally in forest pockets)

History

The Chagga people have farmed Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes for centuries; coffee became a cash crop during the colonial era and remains central to local livelihoods.

Conservation

Protecting the forest fragments around Materuni is key to preserving water flows; visitors are asked to stay on trails, avoid single-use plastic, and support local guides.