Off the Beaten Tour at Materuni Village
Tour Highlight
A Hidden Journey into Chagga Culture & Kilimanjaro’s Untouched Trails
Step beyond the ordinary and experience the authentic heart of Materuni with our Off the Beaten Tour—an immersive day of hiking, cultural discovery, and traditional flavors nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Guided by local experts rooted in Chagga heritage, you’ll journey through secret forest paths, coffee and banana plantations, and hidden valleys rarely touched by mainstream tours. From dramatic waterfalls to vibrant cultural rituals, this tour reveals Kilimanjaro’s quieter, richer side.
This isn’t just a waterfall visit—it’s an encounter with living traditions, breathtaking views, and the warmth of true Tanzanian hospitality.
important details
- Distance: 11 km
- Location: Materuni Village, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
- Tour Type: Guided Cultural & Nature Walk
- Recommended for Active Travelers
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 $90 |
2 People | US $70 |
3 People | US $60 |
4 People | US $55 |
5 People and more | US $50 |
Tour Plan
Begin your adventure with a warm welcome from your local guide before setting off along untrodden forested ridges and terraced slopes rich with coffee and banana crops. The hike leads you to the majestic Materuni Waterfall, where a 90-meter cascade plunges into a crystalline pool—perfect for a refreshing dip or quiet reflection beside the rushing water.
Next, follow a secret trail climbing to an exclusive viewpoint perched atop the waterfall. Here, take in sweeping vistas of the falls and the expansive valley beyond—a sight few travelers witness.
Your journey continues deeper into the lesser-known Kiruweni and Kitirini areas, where life moves to the rhythm of farming, and unwritten footpaths reveal the authentic daily life of the Chagga community. Reach the Didas Valley viewpoint, where terraced hills and Kilimanjaro’s forested slopes stretch out before you like a living canvas.
Descending from the highland trails, visit Wondo Primary School to meet local students and teachers—offering a glimpse into rural education and the positive impact of community-based tourism.
As you trace the border of Kilimanjaro National Park, walk beside protected forest alive with birdsong and, with luck, sightings of playful colobus monkeys.
After your hike, unwind at Materuni Homes, where you’ll savor a hearty, traditional Chagga lunch made from fresh, local produce—banana stew, rice, beans, and tropical fruits.
The cultural immersion continues with a lively coffee experience: pick ripe coffee cherries, roast and grind beans by hand, and brew fresh Arabica coffee while singing and dancing—a ritual passed down through generations.
End the day by sampling local banana beer (mbege), a cherished Chagga drink enjoyed in celebrations and storytelling.
Relax and return to Moshi, carrying home not only photos but the living stories and warm spirit of Materuni’s hidden treasures.
Why This Tour Stands Out
- Unique off-map trails & secret viewpoints
- Authentic Chagga cultural encounters
- Fresh local cuisine & hands-on coffee making
- Support for sustainable, community-led tourism
- A deeper, more personal Kilimanjaro experience
Included/Exclude
- Guided Hike
- Professional English-speaking village guide
- Private transport from/to Moshi
- Chagga hot lunch
- Coffee tour
- Chagga traditional dance
- Local Banana Beer Testing
- Bottled drinking water
- Entry fees for both the village and the waterfall.
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, etc.)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips/gratuities
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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!