Kilimanjaro Shira Plateau Day Hike
Tour Highlight
The Shira Plateau area of Kilimanjaro offers a fantastic opportunity to get high on a big mountain and to hike around this impressive World Heritage Site as a day trip – it’s a fantastic area and there are some great day hikes – either a more strenuous day hiking up along the ancient rim of the plateau or something more relaxed sticking to the undulating floor – perhaps going as far as the photogenic ‘cone place’ or Shira Needles’ at the Southern end of the plateau. To the west the Kibo Massif of Kilimanjaro sweeps up to the glaciers near the summit, the rise scarred by deep valleys and eroded lava flows that stand like twisted modern sculptures in the harsh mountain weather. A number of streams tumble down this flank of the mountain, eventually joining together in a gulley that crosses the plateau before plunging down to the plains far below.
There is a fair amount of wildlife on the plateau however most of it is elusive and nocturnal but with care the events of the night can be reconstructed from the footprints around the watering points on the streams. There are herds of buffalo but also smaller gazelles and bushbuck, there is the carcase of eland and elephant higher on the mountain proving that these larger animals are occasional visitors.
Group Pricing
Explore Tanzania with friends and save! Our group discounts offer price reductions based on group size, so the more, the merrier. Contact us for details and to customize your tour!
Group Size | Price Per Person |
---|---|
1 Person | US $ 420 |
2 People | US $ 290 |
3 People | US $ 250 |
4 People | US $ 230 |
5 People and more | US $ 220 |
Tour Plan
Shira Plateau, Kilimanjaro Day Hike via Londorosi Route
Meet our professional English-speaking guide at your hotel in Moshi, then drive to your destination of West Kilimanjaro takes you through a forest reserve, where you can look out for blue monkeys and Colobus Monkeys in the trees. Your hike through the beautifully rugged landscape of Shira Plateau starts at 3,500 m above sea level. Get out of the car, lace up your shoes and take in the sounds, smells, and colors of Tanzania’s stunning wilderness.
Along different trails and accompanied by a ranger, you can enjoy views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, and its northern glaciers, when the weather permits. The vast plains of neighboring Amboseli National Park in Kenya and the deep gorge of the Simba River contrast the views of the world’s highest free-standing mountain. When you reach the northern rim of Shira Crater, take a quick stop at different observation points and see the volcanic cones dotting the landscape below.
Hike at your own pace and enjoy a picnic lunch under the open sky along the way. It’s a moderate hike and you don’t need to be an athlete to be able to enjoy it. However, at 3,500m the air is thinner, so pace your step, enjoy the untouched landscapes and the presence of the mighty Kilimanjaro. After a 4h hike – or earlier, if your legs get tired – we take you back to Moshi having some good memories of the tour.
Meal Plan: Lunch
Included/Exclude
- All Required Fees (Park Fees, Entrance Fees, Forest fees etc.)
- Snacks and drinks
- Lunch box
- 5/2L bottle of water
- Transportation during the trip
- Professional English speaking mountain guide
- First Aid Kit
- Pick up from hotel
- International or Local Flights
- Optional activities
- Accommodation
- Passport and Visa fees
- Tip
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
- Travel Documents (Yellow Fever Certificate etc.)
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Words From Our Happy Clients
EXCELLENT Based on 283 reviews Paul Matuschka14 September 2024Verified Smiles all round! Amazing!! The coffee tour was the best!! So good. The singing and smiles made my day. Our guide Manse Ahsante was brilliant. The food was delicious! Highly recommend Clemens W8 September 2024Verified Unglaublich schön!! Mit Silvester als Guide war die tour der absolute hammer! Er hat uns einen wunderschönen und unvergesslichen ersten Tag in Tansania beschert! Asante Sana Rafiki!! John C4 September 2024Verified Incredible experience What an amazing experience. The entire tour took about six hours including one hour for transport to our location. Materuni Falls is breathtaking. The hike took about 40 minutes each way. Hiking shoes recommended. You hike through a gorgeous jungle. The coffee demonstration was so fun. The staff was friendly and sang songs while we processed the coffee. The chagga lunch was wonderful. All the food was fresh and delicious. Our guide and driver were the best. They were friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend. Raul M3 September 2024Verified Great one day trip! The Materuni Waterfall and coffee tour was an unforgettable experience! The natural beauty of the waterfall was simply breathtaking. The coffee tour was equally fascinating and provided insights into how coffee is processed locally 'from bean to cup'. What made the experience truly exceptional was my tour guide, Abdul. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and warm personality brought the tour to life, making it educational and fun. Abdul's passion for sharing the local culture made this visit a standout adventure. Be prepared to hike on steep and sometimes slippery hills, but remember that the beautiful scenery makes it all worth it. I highly recommend it! Raul M. Ozgun V3 September 2024Verified Materuni waterfall and coffee experience Absolutely stunning tropical scenery! My guide Aidani knew a lot about the flora and fauna he pointed out all of the different banana plants, coffee plants, etc. It was also quite muddy the day we went so he was careful to make sure I didn't slip. The waterfall was breathtaking and definitely worth the dip in the cold water. We then went for the coffee making demonstration and we sang and danced while we hulled, roasted and grinded the coffee beans. This was followed by an amazing lunch by Chef Cerveste ;) who made banana and meat soup (also bean and banana for vegetarian) and then rice and meat stew followed by fruits and avocado. Overall a fantastic day! Highly recommend for anyone who wants a day trip to explore near the Moshi area and the villages outside. Simon29 August 2024Verified Memorable trip to Materuni The walk up to Materuni was scenic and the waterfall was spectacular. The local meal was delicious and the live tutorial on coffee-making was enjoyable and interactive. Our guide, Sylvester, was friendly, knowledgable and answered all our questions. He made the whole day a very memorable one for us. Shanti L26 August 2024Verified Enjoyable trip to Materuni Waterfalls Our trip to Materuni Waterfalls was truly memorable… all thanks to our guide Sylvester who was not only enthusiastic but entertained us with many interesting information on the place and its culture. Asante Sylvester from Malaysia!! Salim Al Harthy25 August 2024Verified Unforgettable memories at Materuni waterfall and coffee plantation Mangi, our guide was brilliant. We met him by chance but it was the best thing we did to use his services. He is immensely knowledgeable about the area and its people and culture and was very helpful and friendly. The traditional Coffee roasting experience is unforgettable. We also enjoyed nature and the waterfall. High recommended to visit the area and make sure you contact Mangi to guide you during your visit Armelle D23 August 2024Verified Change of scenery Lush vegetation, impressive waterfall. Very nice site. Apart from the finish at the waterfall which is a little more difficult the rest of the route is without difficulty. The guides and people of the village are nice, there is even the possibility to return by motorcycle taxi! Fabio D21 August 2024Verified Slow tourism and authentic local culture in Materuni Sylvester was a fantastic host for us, we bring with us the nice memories we collected during our 2-nights stay at Materuni Homes! As well as hiking to the stunning Materuni Falls, we experienced the coffee making process and we did a cooking class with the local community. After our time there we felt connected with Materuni and we believe that our holiday would have been way less significant if we missed that. Totally recommended!