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 374 reviews Sandya-and-Erik21 October 2025Verified Great activities with Said! First 3 hours did Tanzanian cooking class with 'Mamma' and her team in a farmhouse complex in centre of the village. Learned how to make dishes with local veggies like cooking-bananas and spinach, great!Then the 2 x 1 hour walk to the waterfall and back. Also very nice. Said was our guide and had excellent knowledge and helpfulness! Thomas D9 October 2025Verified Amazing experience Had an amazing experience with Noel as my guide. He was very knowledgeable about the peoples and plants of the area and went in-depth about the coffee making process. Highly recommend! Anna S9 October 2025Verified Super! Saidi was an excellent guide, explaining and showing us everything, and telling us lots of interesting things. I'm very glad I chose him. Thank you all very much. Krys G8 October 2025Verified Waterfall/coffee Tour ✨✨✨ This was a great way to experience local more of a local experience before our big trek. I am currently here with Women Who Explore, it was amazing! The hike to the waterfall is actually short, the waterfall is massive, lunch was plentiful, and the COFFEE... oooof! Amazing experience! Very festive! Robin7 October 2025Verified Perfect activity for 3-4 hours A nice hike to the waterfall. The hike is not very tough for hikers. The lunch and coffee tour were very tasty and fun to experience Tatiana D4 October 2025Verified A great day! Wonderful day with Noel learning all about the region and the organic coffee process! The waterfall was so beautiful and the food was delicious. Yamen S3 October 2025Verified What an amazing experience What a great experience People are friendly and welcoming Views are amazingAnd the preparation of coffee was amazing experience My guide Noel was amazing, he walks me through everything in details, took great photos for me, and offered me banana beer 😊 José Luis F2 October 2025Verified nice experience in Materuni Nice experience in the land of coffee in Materuni, Kilimanjaro area, where our guide Noel took us to the waterfalls of Materuni, a walk with medium/low difficulty and then good traditional food in Materuni Village, with the demonstration of the coffee process, and to finish a delicious cup of coffee.Joel our guide is very friendly and knows the terrain very well, and was explaining many plants as well as their use.Asante Sana! Laura G1 October 2025Verified Recommended First we could enjoy the beautiful views of Kilimanjaro from Materuni Homes. Then we made the excursion to the waterfall, spectacular. We even dared to take a bath! After the tour we were taught the whole process of how to make coffee and finally we enjoyed a rich meal.Our guide was Sylvester and we couldn't have more luck. Thanks for the jokes, the Swahili lessons and for showing us around.We'd repeat!Healthy asanteAleix and Laura Marina P1 October 2025Verified Atmospheric place! A very atmospheric place! This is where you taste real organic coffee. Guide Noel tells us a lot of interesting information about coffee varieties, growing and cooking methods. Next, you will participate in a cooking ritual with national songs and dances. And from here, you have a beautiful view of the snows of Kilimanjaro. Recommend a visit