Half to full day · 5–7 hrs
Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour
From $60 pp
Kilimanjaro Region
Moshi & Kilimanjaro Region – Waterfalls, Coffee & Things to Do
Our home town at the foot of Kilimanjaro — waterfalls, coffee farms, hot springs and crater lakes, with Africa’s highest mountain watching over everything.
Kilimanjaro Region · about 45 min from Kilimanjaro Airport
Overview
About Moshi & Kilimanjaro Region
Moshi is a friendly, relaxed town on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the place we call home. On clear mornings the mountain’s snow-capped summit appears above the rooftops — one of the great views in Africa. Most Kilimanjaro climbs start here, but Moshi deserves time in its own right.
The slopes above the town are the home of the Chagga people, known for their coffee, banana farms and long history on the mountain. Here you can walk to tall waterfalls, learn to roast coffee with a farming family, and explore villages linked by footpaths through the green hillsides.
Below the town, the land opens into warm plains with crystal-clear hot springs and, near the Kenyan border, the deep crater lake of Lake Chala. Moshi is a wonderful place to begin or end a journey, to rest after a climb, or to enjoy a few days of authentic Tanzanian life.
Highlights
Top reasons to visit Moshi
- 01
Kilimanjaro views
Wake up to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain glowing above the town.
- 02
Materuni waterfall
Walk through Chagga farms to one of the tallest waterfalls on the mountain’s lower slopes.
- 03
Chagga coffee
Harvest, roast, grind and taste coffee with a local family — singing included.
- 04
Chemka hot springs
Swim in clear, warm turquoise water surrounded by fig trees.
- 05
Lake Chala
A deep, blue crater lake on the Kenyan border, perfect for walks and quiet views.
- 06
Our home base
Meet the Genet Expeditions team in person at our office in Moshi.
Landscapes & ecosystems
The land itself
Moshi sits at roughly 800–900 metres, where the dry plains meet the mountain. Above the town, the foothills rise through banana and coffee gardens to the Kilimanjaro forest, cut by rivers and waterfalls. Below, sugar cane and sunflower fields stretch towards the Pare Mountains.
In the plains, springs well up from the volcanic rock to create pools such as Chemka, while to the east the land rises to the rim of Lake Chala, a crater lake whose deep blue water straddles the border with Kenya.
Experiences
Things to do in Moshi
- 01
Materuni waterfall & coffee tour
A half-day walk to the waterfall combined with a hands-on Chagga coffee experience.
- 02
Chemka hot springs
Swim, relax and picnic at the clear, warm springs.
- 03
Lake Chala day trip
Walk along the crater rim and down to the water of this beautiful crater lake.
- 04
Kilimanjaro day hike
Walk through the rainforest on the mountain’s lower slopes without committing to a full climb.
- 05
Moshi town walk
Explore the markets, cafés and colourful streets of Moshi with a local guide.
- 06
Marangu village
Visit the old Chagga village of Marangu, with its waterfalls, caves and history.
Day trips & experiences nearby
All day trips
When to go
Best time to visit Moshi
Moshi is pleasant all year. Kilimanjaro views are best on clear mornings, especially from June to October and in January and February.
Green season
January · Warm and clear
Warm days and some of the clearest views of Kilimanjaro. A lovely month for day trips.
Green season
February · Warm and green
Mostly dry spells between showers, green countryside and clear mornings.
Long rains
March · The rains begin
Afternoon showers become more frequent. Mornings are often still bright for outings.
Long rains
April · Long rains
The wettest month — unpaved roads can be muddy. Plan flexible days.
Long rains
May · Rains ease
Showers ease later in the month and the landscape is at its greenest.
Dry season
June · Cool and dry
Comfortable temperatures and dry trails to the waterfalls.
Dry season
July · Dry season
Sunny days and cool nights. One of the busiest travel months in Tanzania.
Dry season
August · Dry season
Reliable, dry weather for walks, visits and road journeys.
Dry season
September · Warm and dry
Warming up, with clear skies and dusty roads.
Dry season
October · Warm and dry
Warmer days, perfect for the hot springs.
Short rains
November · Short rains
Brief showers, usually in the afternoon, freshen the countryside.
Short rains
December · Green and festive
Warm, green and lively over the holidays, with passing showers.
- Dry season
- Green season
- Short rains
- Long rains
Getting there
Getting there & getting around
Moshi is about 40 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), roughly 45 minutes by road, and about 1½ hours from Arusha. Our team can meet you at the airport and take you straight to your hotel.
Materuni is about 40 minutes above Moshi, Chemka hot springs around an hour away, and Lake Chala about 1½ hours to the east.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Moshi
From friendly hotels in town to peaceful lodges on the mountain’s slopes, Moshi offers comfortable stays at every level.
Mid-RangeChanya Lodge
Moshi / KilimanjaroA family-run garden lodge on the edge of Moshi, founded in 1988 — a pool among tropical greenery, a spa and the open-air Zingira restaurant, close to the Kilimanjaro gates.
View the lodge →
LuxuryKilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Moshi / KilimanjaroA four-star boutique hotel in Moshi with an open-air bar on the fourth floor facing Kilimanjaro, a pool, fitness room and children’s playground.
View the lodge →
Ultra LuxuryUltra Luxury stays
Exclusive country lodges with spa treatments and private service, ideal after a climb.
Browse Ultra Luxury lodges →Recommended itineraries
Safaris that visit Moshi
Moshi is the starting point for our Kilimanjaro climbs and day trips.
Kilimanjaro · the Marangu route
5-Day Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb
Kilimanjaro’s historic “Coca-Cola Route”: rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to Uhuru Peak, sleeping in the mountain’s only permanent h…
- Summit
- 5,895 m
- Pace
- Challenging
- Begins
- Marangu Gate
from $1,550 ppView journey
Kilimanjaro · the Marangu route
6-Day Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The historic hut route to Uhuru Peak, with an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut and a guided walk to Zebra Rocks.
- Summit
- 5,895 m
- Pace
- Challenging
- Begins
- Marangu Gate
from $1,750 ppView journey
Kilimanjaro · the Machame route
6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The scenic “Whiskey Route”: rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall on a six-day camping climb to Uhuru Peak.
- Summit
- 5,895 m
- Pace
- Challenging strenuous
- Begins
- Machame Gate
from $1,650 ppView journey
Before you go
Essential travel information
Visit our office
Our office in Moshi is open every day. Please message us before you visit so the right person is there to welcome you.
Money
Cash machines are available in town; carry small notes for local purchases and tips.
What to wear
Light clothing for warm days, a layer for cool evenings and good shoes for waterfall walks.
Swimming
Bring a swimsuit and towel for Chemka hot springs and the Materuni waterfall pool.
Year-round
National Park
Arusha
Walking & canoe safaris, colobus
Forests, crater lakes and the slopes of Mount Meru, less than an hour from Arusha — walk, canoe and drive among giraffes, colobus monkeys and flaming…
1 day · Meru 3–4 daysExplore
Jan – Mar · Jun – Oct
National Park
Kilimanjaro
Summit climbs, rainforest hikes
Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s tallest free-standing peak — climb to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m with our team from Moshi, or explore its rainfo…
6–9 days to climbExplore
Year-round
Safari capital
Arusha
Coffee farms, culture, first night
Tanzania’s safari capital at the foot of Mount Meru — a lively, green city of coffee farms, markets and culture, and the starting point for journeys …
1–2 nightsExplore
Questions
Moshi safari FAQs
Can’t find your answer? Our team in Moshi is happy to help.
Ask on WhatsAppIs Moshi worth visiting?
Yes. Beyond being the base for Kilimanjaro climbs, it offers waterfalls, coffee tours, hot springs and a relaxed local atmosphere.
How many days should I spend in Moshi?
Two or three nights let you enjoy a couple of day trips. Climbers usually arrive a day before their climb.
Can you see Kilimanjaro from Moshi?
Yes, on clear days — usually early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the clouds lift from the summit.
What is the best day trip from Moshi?
The Materuni waterfall and coffee tour is the favourite, followed by Chemka hot springs. Both can be done in one day.
How far is Moshi from Kilimanjaro Airport?
About 40 km, or roughly 45 minutes by road. We arrange private airport transfers.
Can I visit the Genet Expeditions office?
Of course. Our office in Moshi is open every day — send us a message before you come so we can welcome you.
Photo gallery
Start planning
Visit us in Moshi
Spend a few days at the foot of Kilimanjaro with the people who know it best. Tell us what you would like to see.
- Call us+255 762 032 480
- WhatsAppChat with our team
- Email[email protected]
- OfficeMoshi, Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaEvery day · 08:00 – 18:00 EAT