Kilimanjaro hike from Materuni to Shimbwe (two-day tour)

On this two-day hike you will discover with us the fantastic nature on the slopes of Kilimanjaro with its rain forest, waterfalls, nice villages and lovely people. We will overnight in the mountain village Shimbwe in the Shimbwe Meadows Guest House with comfortable, clean rooms and a great view to the summit of Kilimanjaro and into the surroundings. On the second day of the hike you can choose between a hike to the Mongioni Falls or a hike through the village to the border of the Kilimanjaro National Park.

This tour is also suitable for a better acclimatization before a Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru ascent.

Day 1 - From Materuni to Shimbwe

You will be picked up in Moshi in the morning (around 9.30 am), by our English-speaking guide, who will drive together with you to Materuni Village. Upon arrival, you will register at the village office and your trip can begin.

Our hike leads us first to the Materuni waterfalls, the relaxed walk takes around 40 minutes. We

pass on the way farmland and some village houses before we reach along a small river the waterfalls. The Materuni waterfalls (also known as Mnambe waterfalls) are with about 80 meters the heighest waterfalls at Kilimanjaro. At this very scenic place, we will have a rest. You can take a

refreshing bath or simply enjoy the great view of the waterfall and the beautiful surroundings. Here we will also strengthen ourselves with a snack for the further hike.

After we have relaxed about one hour, our hike leads us up to Shimbwe. Now we walk along the river on the other side and soon it goes upwards. Just before we reach the village, we have a nice view back to the Materuni waterfalls. From the edge of the village it is still about an hour before we reach our todays destination. The houses of this traditional Chagga village are widely scattered on the slopes of Kilimanjaro in the midst of a beautiful landscape. We now walk past coffee shrubs, pass a small river and enjoy the view to the valley and the opposite hill while we walk along an irrigation channel.

Our hosts are already waiting for us with a refreshing drink and fruits, we can now rest for a while and move to our rooms. After having relaxed a bit you will learn how the Kilimanjaro coffee is cultivated, dried, roasted and further processed. You will also be invited to help with the grinding of the coffee, which is traditionally accompanied by Chagga songs and dances - a fun way to

immerse yourself in the local culture.

Before we will have in the late afternoon a walk through the village, you can savour the coffee you made. After the walk we will have a traditional Chagga dinner. If you want, you are welcome to help with the preparation of your supper. After dinner we can relax and chat on the terrace

and enjoy our todays impressions. Tomorrow we will have another very nice hike and we should not go to bed too late.

Day 2 - Hike to the Mongioni waterfalls or to the border of the Kilimanjaro National Park 

Around 7.30 am it is time to leave the comfortable bed. Before we start with our today hike we will have a rich breakfast. Our today hike starts around 9.30 am. You have the choice between the following two hikes:

Hike to the Mongioni waterfalls

This hike takes in total about 4 – 5 hours (incl. rest time), depending on the strength of the hikers. The hike leads partially over small and steeper paths, requires surefootedness and is recommended only for experienced hikers with a good fitness. The hike is only possible in good

weather conditions. In rainy weather, the paths are very slippery and there is an extreme danger of falling. In bad weather conditions, we will walk alternatively to the border of the Kilimanjaro National Park.

The hike begins on a well-developed path through the village, we pass by banana plantations, fields and cottages. Once we leave the main path, we walk on a small way down into the valley. We walk now through the forest, where the locals have little arable land and cultivate banana trees, cross a small creek and walk on the other side a little uphill. We walk along an irrigation channel and cross the small creek several times, before we descend on a last steeper section to the waterfall. The Mongioni waterfall is smaller than the Materuni waterfall, but has a very strong water stream and is surrounded by a small pond. If you are tough, you may like to take a very refreshing bath. At the waterfall we relax a bit and take a small meal (lunchbox).

After our rest we pass again to the other side of the creek, the path is partly very steep. On our way we have beautiful views down into the valley, and some way off our path we see two more beautiful waterfalls. If we still have enough power and time, we can perhaps visit one of these waterfalls. Just before we reach the village, we cross a meadow and walk through a small forest. Afterwards it is only a short walk to the house of our hosts. After a refreshing drink and fruits we are picked up by our driver and return back to Moshi.

Hike to the border of the Kilimanjaro National Park

This hike takes in total about 3,5 to 4,5 hours (incl. rest time). The paths are well developed and also suitable for less experienced hikers.

The hike starts at the house of our hosts (about 1450m) on a well-developed path and leads us up the village. We walk past village houses and fields, which are cultivated by the local people. During the hike we have a nice view into the surrounding valleys and on the surrounding hillsides. After we have passed the last houses we see a row of very high eucalyptus trees, which mark the border of the Kilimanjaro National Park. We are now at an altitude of about 1,900 meters. Here we can relax a little, enjoy the beautiful view and explore a bit the surroundings. In the meantime, our cook prepares a typical Chagga lunch at a small picnic place. After enjoying nature and our food, we walk leisurely the way back to the house of our hosts. We strengthen ourselves with a refreshing drink and fruits and drive back to Moshi.

Please bring your own daypack or backpack on this tour. If you do not have an own daypack or backpack, we will gladly provide you with one for a small extra charge (limited availability). The few things you need during this tour, as well as your lunch box / beverage, you will carry by yourself. If you want to swim in the waterfalls (the water is cool, but refreshing), please donť forget your swimsuit and a small towel. During your overnight stay in Shimbwe you will be given towels. For an extra charge of 15 USD per day, we can also provide you with a porter for your luggage.

Note: This two-day hike is less suitable for children. The minimum age is therefore 12 years (accompanied by adults).

All prices are based on USD and include: English speaking guide, private transport from/to Moshi, hikes according to the itinerary, lunchbox for the hikes (or lunch at the Kilimanjaro National Park border), 1 overnight stay in Shimbwe (incl. dinner, breakfast, tea and coffee, welcome drink and fruits after arrival from the hikes on day 1 / day 2), Coffee making experience and traditional dance, bottled water (during dinner and during the hikes), entry fees for the villages and the waterfalls.

The above mentioned rates are only valid for a group that has booked together and are independent of the total number of participants in the tour.

You may pay for this tour in USD or equivalent in TZS (Tanzanian Shillings) on the date of the tour in cash. Please be aware that USD minted in 2006 or prior will not be accepted.