Materuni

Materuni is a Chagga village on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, about 15 km north of Moshi, at the edge of the mountain's forest. It is known for two things: a tall waterfall on the Mware River, and the small family farms where coffee grows among banana plants.

Walking to the waterfall

Cars stop in the village. From there a footpath leads through coffee, banana and avocado plots into a forested valley, and the walk takes about 40 minutes each way. Parts of it are steep and get muddy after rain, so wear shoes with a good grip.

Published heights for the falls range from 70 to 90 metres. The figures come from guides rather than a survey, so treat them as rough.

Coffee in Materuni

Chagga families have grown coffee on these slopes for generations. On the coffee visit a family takes you through the process by hand, from picking and hulling to roasting and grinding, and then you drink the result.

When to go

Materuni is wetter and greener than the plains below. In the long rains (roughly March to May) and the short rains (around November) the path is slippery and the waterfall carries the most water. On a clear morning you can see Kibo, Kilimanjaro's summit, from the village.

Visiting with us

Our day trip from Moshi combines Materuni with an afternoon swim at Chemka Hot Springs. Transport, a driver-guide and lunch are in the rate; the village and coffee fees are confirmed with you before you pay.