Moshi is the relaxed town at the southern foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and the base for most Kilimanjaro climbs. The best day trip from Moshi is Materuni village, about 15 km up the mountain's slopes: a hike through Chagga farms to a tall waterfall, followed by a hands-on coffee tour where you roast, grind and drink your own Kilimanjaro coffee. Other favourites are the turquoise Kikuletwa (Chemka) hot springs, the crater lake Lake Chala, and Marangu with its waterfalls and Chagga caves. Allow one or two days before or after your climb or safari.
Moshi at a glance
| Where | Kilimanjaro Region, northern Tanzania, at the southern foot of Mount Kilimanjaro |
|---|---|
| From Kilimanjaro International Airport | About 45–60 minutes by road |
| From Arusha | About 1.5–2 hours by road |
| Known for | Kilimanjaro views and climbs, coffee, waterfalls, Chagga culture |
| Best day trip | Materuni waterfall and coffee tour |
| Ideal stay | 1–2 nights before or after a climb or safari |
Most visitors pass through Moshi on their way up or down Kilimanjaro. Everything about the climb itself, including routes, costs and acclimatisation, is in our Mount Kilimanjaro complete guide. This guide is about what to do around Moshi on your free days.
Materuni waterfall hike
Materuni is a Chagga village on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, roughly 15 km north of Moshi and a 30- to 45-minute drive up a winding road. From the village, a local guide leads you on foot through banana groves, coffee bushes and small farms to the Materuni waterfall, which drops in a long, narrow ribbon from the cliffs into a cold pool. Its height is often given at around 80 metres.
- The walk: roughly 45–60 minutes each way on a path that can be steep and slippery, especially after rain. Good shoes matter.
- The pool: you can swim, but the water is very cold. Bring a towel and a change of clothes.
- The views: on a clear day, you look out over the plains, and the mountain is above you.
- Fitness: moderate. Most active travellers manage easily; ask for a slower pace if you need it.
Village fees and a local guide are part of the visit, and they put money directly into the community.
The Chagga coffee tour
The Chagga people have farmed the slopes of Kilimanjaro for centuries, and coffee became one of their main crops. On a Materuni coffee tour, a farming family walks you through the whole process: picking ripe cherries, removing the husks, roasting the beans over a fire, then grinding them by hand in a wooden mortar, often with a song and a rhythm that everyone joins in. Then you drink the fresh coffee you have just made. It is one of the most enjoyable cultural experiences in northern Tanzania, and you can usually buy beans to take home.
You may also be offered mbege, the traditional Chagga banana beer. For the deeper history of the Chagga, see the Chagga chapter in our Kilimanjaro guide, and for local food and drink, our East African food guide.
Kikuletwa (Chemka) hot springs
About an hour from Moshi, partly on dirt roads, the Kikuletwa hot springs (also called Chemka) are a spring-fed pool of astonishingly clear, turquoise water shaded by fig trees in an otherwise dry landscape. The water is warm rather than hot. Swimming, a rope swing and a picnic make it a perfect rest day after a climb. Weekends and holidays are busier; go early on a weekday for a quieter visit.
Lake Chala
Lake Chala is a deep crater lake on the Tanzania–Kenya border, about 1–1.5 hours east of Moshi. Steep green walls surround deep blue water, and on clear days Kilimanjaro rises behind it. You can hike around the rim and kayak on the lake. Swimming is not recommended, because crocodiles have been reported in the lake. It is a peaceful, scenic half-day or overnight trip.
Marangu: waterfalls and Chagga caves
Marangu, about 40 km from Moshi, is the village at the gate of the Marangu climbing route. Easy visits here include:
- Kinukamori Falls and other small waterfalls in the village.
- The Chagga caves: underground tunnels that local guides explain were dug by Chagga families to hide from raids in the past.
- A Kilimanjaro day hike: from Marangu Gate through the rainforest towards the first hut, with park fees payable. It is the easiest way to set foot on the mountain without a full climb.
Things to do in Moshi town
- Kilimanjaro at dawn: the summit is often clearest early in the morning, before clouds build up.
- The central market: spices, fruit, fabrics and everyday life.
- Coffee shops: Moshi has several cafés serving Kilimanjaro coffee.
- Cycling and walking tours: local guides run town and countryside tours.
- Shopping for kitenge and crafts: fabric and souvenirs to take home.
One-day and two-day plans
One day
Morning: drive to Materuni, hike to the waterfall and swim. Lunch with the family, then the coffee tour. Afternoon: back to Moshi for sunset views of the mountain.
Two days
Day 1: Materuni waterfall and coffee tour. Day 2: Kikuletwa hot springs for a swim and picnic, or Lake Chala for a rim walk and kayak.
After your climb
Your legs will thank you for Kikuletwa's warm water rather than Materuni's steep path. Save the waterfall hike for before the climb, as an acclimatisation warm-up.
Moshi vs Arusha: where to stay
| Moshi | Arusha | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Kilimanjaro climbs and nearby day trips | Starting a northern-circuit safari |
| Feel | Smaller, calmer, greener | Bigger, busier city |
| Nearest park | Kilimanjaro National Park gates | Arusha National Park, Tarangire |
| Airport | Kilimanjaro International, about 45–60 minutes | Kilimanjaro International about 1 hour; Arusha airport for domestic flights |
If you are combining a climb with a safari, many travellers sleep in Moshi before and after the mountain and then move to Arusha or straight to Tarangire. Our Kilimanjaro and safari combination guide shows how to order the trip.
Getting there, best time and tips
- Getting there: fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport; Moshi is about 45–60 minutes away. Buses and shuttles link Moshi with Arusha and Nairobi.
- Best time: the drier months, roughly June to October and January to February, are best for clear mountain views and dry trails. The waterfall path is muddiest in the long rains of March to May.
- What to bring: walking shoes with grip, swimwear, a towel, a light rain jacket, sunscreen and some small Tanzanian shilling notes for tips and purchases.
- Health: Moshi has malaria risk; see our malaria and vaccinations guide.
- Entry: check visa rules and Tanzania's mandatory travel insurance before you fly.
Ready to plan? See our Kilimanjaro trek and Serengeti safari, or read our Tanzania safari guide for the wildlife half of your trip.