Moshi (Kilimanjaro), Tanzania: travel guide
Laid-back coffee town below Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak — start point for the Machame and Marangu climbing routes.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Currency
- TZS
- Time zone
- Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
- Nearest airport
- JRO
Plan a Moshi (Kilimanjaro) trip
Top places to visit in Moshi (Kilimanjaro)
Machame Gate (Kilimanjaro NP)
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry USD 70
Forest-fringed starting gate for the scenic Machame ("Whiskey") route up Kilimanjaro.
Materuni Waterfall
Waterfall · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 10
Dramatic 80 m waterfall in the Chagga highlands, reached by a green village walk and paired with coffee tours.
Uhuru Peak (Kilimanjaro Summit)
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 1 h · entry USD 70
The 5,895 m summit of Kilimanjaro and highest point in Africa, the goal of every multi-day climb.
Lake Chala
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 10
Vivid crater lake straddling the Tanzania-Kenya border, ringed by cliffs, good for kayaking and hikes.
Marangu Gate (Kilimanjaro NP)
Nature · about 1 h · entry USD 70
The original "Coca-Cola" route gate, the only hut-based ascent of Kilimanjaro and a popular day-hike entry.
Things to do
- Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb (7 Days) Nature · 168 h · from USD 2,200 per person
- Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour Nature · 6 h · from USD 45 per person
- Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Climb (6 Days) Nature · 144 h · from USD 1,850 per person
- Kilimanjaro Day Hike to Mandara Hut Nature · 8 h · from USD 110 per person
Day trips and tours
- Materuni Waterfall, Coffee & Hot Springs 8 h · from USD 70
Where to stay in Moshi (Kilimanjaro)
- Moshi Town about TZS 90 per night
Relaxed town centre with climbers' hotels, coffee houses and Kilimanjaro views.
- Marangu about TZS 110 per night
Lush Chagga village on Kilimanjaro's slopes, home of the Marangu (Coca-Cola) route gate.
Hotels
- Bristol Cottages Kilimanjaro 3-star
- Parkview Inn 3-star
- Keys Hotel Moshi 3-star
Where to eat
- Union Cafe Cafe, International · about TZS 18,000 per person
- Indoitaliano Restaurant Indian, Italian · about TZS 22,000 per person
- Kilimanjaro Coffee Lounge Cafe, International · about TZS 15,000 per person
- El Rancho Indian · about TZS 20,000 per person
Getting around
- Minibus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tuktuk main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unlicensed Kilimanjaro operators
Moshi town & online
Very cheap climb offers often cut corners on safety, guide wages and porter welfare, risking your summit and the crew's wellbeing.
How to avoid it: Choose a KPAP-partner operator, confirm park fees are included and check recent independent reviews before paying.