Private day trips · Moshi & Arusha
Thirteen private day trips with prices by group size. Compare drive times, effort and what each day really involves.
Free cancellation up to 2 days before pick-up.
The short version
Kilimania runs 13 private Tanzania day trips from Moshi and Arusha in the north of the country. Twelve are priced from $70 per person for a group of five, rising to $240 for the longer safari and mountain days; the Marangu Kilimanjaro day hike is priced separately. The closest trip, Materuni Waterfalls, is 30–45 minutes from Moshi. The furthest, Tarangire, takes about 7–9 hours door to door. Choose by drive time, effort and what you want to see, then ask for a quote for your group size.
Source: Kilimania 2026 price table and drive times. Last updated October 2026.
Choose by drive time first. Materuni, Chemka and the two Marangu trips are under 90 minutes from Moshi. Lake Chala, Arusha National Park and Arusha City take 1.5–2 hours. Meru, Shira, Manyara and Tarangire are long days. Prices start at $70 per person for five travellers.
01 · Compare
Every trip below is private and departs from Moshi or Arusha. Use the filters to narrow the list; the table and the trip cards below update together.
Showing 13 of 13 day trips
| Trip | From Moshi | From Arusha | Effort and time | Suits | From price (group of 5) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee | 30–45 min | 2–2.5 hrs | Moderate Wet-trail walk, waterfall, coffee |
A walk, a waterfall and a Chagga coffee demonstration in one day | $85 pp | View trip |
| Chemka Hot Springs | 45–75 min | 1.5–2 hrs | Easy Swim and relax; flat |
An easy swim, a flat day or a rest day | $70 pp | View trip |
| Marangu Waterfalls & Cultural | 45–60 min | 2.5–3 hrs | Moderate Steep descent to the falls |
Waterfalls and Chagga culture on the lower slopes | $80 pp | View trip |
| Lake Chala | 1.5–2 hrs | 3–4 hrs | Easy–Moderate Viewpoints and walking |
Crater-lake views and photographs on the Kenya border | $95 pp | View trip |
| Lake Chala Hike & Canoeing | 1.5–2 hrs | 3–4 hrs | Moderate Crater descent and canoeing |
An active lake day with a descent and guided canoeing | $115 pp | View trip |
| Kilimanjaro Day Hike To Mandara Hut | 45–60 min | Pick-up included | Moderate 5–7 hrs hiking |
Kilimanjaro’s forest trail up to Mandara Hut, without a summit attempt | $275 private · $215 joining pp | View trip |
| Shira Plateau Day Hike | ~2 hrs + ~1 hr by 4×4 | — | Moderate–Challenging Long full day at altitude |
A high-altitude look at Kilimanjaro in one day | $190 pp | View trip |
| Mount Meru Day Hike | ~2.5–3 hrs | ~1 hr | Moderate–Challenging Full day, ranger-led |
A fit hiker who wants a mountain day with wildlife on the way | $240 pp | View trip |
| Arusha National Park | 1.5–2 hrs | 45–60 min | Easy–Moderate Game drive, walk and canoe |
A short drive, a walk with a ranger and canoeing on Momella | $215 pp | View trip |
| Lake Manyara National Park | ~3–3.5 hrs | 1.5–2.5 hrs | About 4–5 hrs in the park Forest and lake game drive |
Groundwater forest, lake birdlife and a shorter drive than Tarangire from Arusha | $240 pp | View trip |
| Tarangire National Park | 3.5–4.5 hrs | 2–3 hrs | About 4–5 hrs in the park Very early start, long drive |
Elephants and baobabs, if you can manage a very early start | $240 pp | View trip |
| Maasai Boma Visit | Confirmed in your quote | — | Easy Half-day |
A low-effort cultural half-day | $75 pp | View trip |
| Arusha City & Cultural | 1.5–2 hrs | In the city | Easy Half to full day |
Markets, history and culture at an easy pace; a layover day | $75 pp | View trip |
From price applies to a private group of five. See group-size pricing. Drive times are typical and confirmed in your quote. Arusha pick-up is available; the price is confirmed in your quote (included on the Marangu day hike). Per-person prices fall as the group grows.
02 · Distance
The drive decides how much of the day you spend on the activity. Tarangire needs about 7–9 hours door to door for 4–5 hours in the park, so it is a different kind of day from Materuni.
One-way drive from Moshi, typical range. Shira shows about 2 hours to Londorossi Gate plus about 1 hour by 4×4. The Maasai Boma visit is not charted; its drive time is confirmed in your quote. Source: Kilimania drive times.
Moshi and Arusha are about 1.5–2 hours apart, so a day trip from either town can end up on the same road. Our guide to day trips from Moshi and guide to day trips from Arusha work through the choices by base town.
03 · The trips
Each card states what the day is, who it suits and what to know first. The trip page has the full itinerary, inclusions and a price for each group size. Private trip only. Joining by request on selected dates.
A walk, a waterfall and a Chagga coffee demonstration in one day.
Know before you goThe trail is wet and slippery. It does not suit low mobility.
An easy swim, a flat day or a rest day.
Know before you goNot a hike. Swimming needs guide supervision, and some sections are deep.
Waterfalls and Chagga culture on the lower slopes.
Know before you goThis is not the Kilimanjaro hike. The steep descent means a hard climb back.
Crater-lake views and photographs on the Kenya border.
Know before you goNot a swimming trip. Crocodiles are present.
An active lake day with a descent and guided canoeing.
Know before you goSwimming is not part of this trip. The water activity is canoeing, with life jackets.
Kilimanjaro’s forest trail up to Mandara Hut, without a summit attempt.
Know before you goYou are not summiting. The hike reaches Mandara Huts and is a different trip from the Marangu waterfalls.
A high-altitude look at Kilimanjaro in one day.
Know before you goYou sleep at about 900 m but spend hours at 3,400–3,800 m. Children are not recommended.
A fit hiker who wants a mountain day with wildlife on the way.
Know before you goA day hike, not a summit attempt. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
A short drive, a walk with a ranger and canoeing on Momella.
Know before you goSightings are never guaranteed. This is not the Mount Meru day hike.
Groundwater forest, lake birdlife and a shorter drive than Tarangire from Arusha.
Know before you goTree-climbing lions are real but rare. No sighting is promised.
Elephants and baobabs, if you can manage a very early start.
Know before you goAbout 7–9 hours door to door from Moshi for about 4–5 hours in the park.
A low-effort cultural half-day.
Know before you goA half-day visit. Ask about photo and consent rules before you go.
Markets, history and culture at an easy pace; a layover day.
Know before you goA city tour, not an airport transfer.
04 · Prices
All prices are US dollars per person for a private group. The more people travelling together, the lower the price per person. For groups larger than five, contact Kilimania for a group quotation.
| Trip | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee | $130 | $110 | $95 | $90 | $85 | View trip |
| Chemka Hot Springs | $110 | $90 | $80 | $75 | $70 | View trip |
| Marangu Waterfalls & Cultural | $120 | $100 | $90 | $85 | $80 | View trip |
| Lake Chala | $155 | $130 | $115 | $105 | $95 | View trip |
| Lake Chala Hike & Canoeing | $185 | $155 | $140 | $125 | $115 | View trip |
| Shira Plateau Day Hike | $285 | $245 | $220 | $205 | $190 | View trip |
| Mount Meru Day Hike | $365 | $315 | $285 | $260 | $240 | View trip |
| Arusha National Park | $340 | $290 | $255 | $230 | $215 | View trip |
| Lake Manyara National Park | $410 | $335 | $290 | $260 | $240 | View trip |
| Tarangire National Park | $410 | $335 | $290 | $260 | $240 | View trip |
| Maasai Boma Visit | $115 | $95 | $85 | $80 | $75 | View trip |
| Arusha City & Cultural | $120 | $100 | $90 | $80 | $75 | View trip |
Worked example: two people on the Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee trip pay $110 each, $220 in total. Source: Kilimania 2026 price table.
The hike to Mandara Hut costs $275 per person private or $215 per person joining, with Arusha pick-up included. It is separate from the Marangu Waterfalls trip above. See the Marangu day hike.
Park entry and activity fees are government-set and included in your Kilimania price. The current total is confirmed in your quote before booking. Our day-trip cost guide explains what drives each price.
05 · Practical
Each trip page lists exactly what applies to that day. Park entry and activity fees are government-set and included in your Kilimania price. The current total is confirmed in your quote before booking. Park rules and fee schedules are published by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), which also oversees Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA).
Private trip only. Joining by request on selected dates. Only the Marangu Kilimanjaro day hike has confirmed joining prices. Our guide to private vs joining day trips covers the trade-offs.
Children are welcome on many vehicle-based day trips, but hiking, walking safaris, canoeing and mountain activities have different safety requirements. Confirm your child’s age with Kilimania before booking.
Our guide to day trips with kids and the accessible day trips guide go into detail.
Free cancellation: cancel up to 2 days (48 hours) before your pick-up time for a full refund. Cancel within 2 days of pick-up and receive a 60% refund. Full terms are on the booking terms and cancellation page.
06 · Plan
If the right trip depends on who is travelling or when, start with the guide that matches your situation.
These head-to-head guides compare two trips on drive time, effort and what you actually do.
Day trips pair well with a climb, but they are not a substitute for acclimatisation. See our Kilimanjaro climbing routes, or browse multi-day safari packages. Landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport? Flight information is on the official KADCO airport site. Climbing on a set date? The Kilimanjaro joining calendar lists departures for climbs only; it does not cover day trips.
07 · Photos
These are our own photographs. Weather, water levels and wildlife vary by day, so treat them as examples, not promises.
08 · Reviews
These links go to Kilimania’s reviews on TripAdvisor and Google. They cover all Kilimania trips, so they are broader than any single day trip on this page.
Read dated reviews from travellers who booked with Kilimania.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor09 · Booking
Nothing is charged when you enquire. You see the itinerary and exact price first.
Tell us the trip you are considering, or ask us to suggest one. Include the ages of any children.
Free cancellation up to 2 days before pick-up.
Prefer to talk? Message Kilimania on WhatsApp on +255 756 449 990, or email info@kilimania.co.tz. We reply within 12 hours, 7 days a week (EAT).
10 · Questions
Twelve of the 13 trips start at $70 per person for a private group of five and reach $240 for the longer safari and Mount Meru days. A solo traveller pays more per person. The Marangu day hike is $275 private or $215 joining. Your exact price is confirmed before you proceed.
Materuni Waterfalls is the closest, at 30–45 minutes from Moshi. The Marangu Waterfalls trip and the Kilimanjaro day hike to Mandara Hut take 45–60 minutes, and Chemka Hot Springs takes 45–75 minutes. Lake Chala, Arusha National Park and Arusha City are 1.5–2 hours away.
Arusha National Park is 45–60 minutes away and Mount Meru about an hour. Lake Manyara takes 1.5–2.5 hours and Tarangire 2–3 hours. Arusha pick-up is available, and the price is confirmed in your quote. On the Marangu day hike, Arusha pick-up is included.
They are private trips: the vehicle and itinerary are arranged for your booking. Joining is by request on selected dates. Only the Marangu Kilimanjaro day hike has confirmed joining pricing, at $215 per person against $275 for a private trip.
Yes, but they are long days. Tarangire takes about 7–9 hours door to door from Moshi for roughly 4–5 hours in the park. Manyara is a drive of about 3–3.5 hours each way. If you want a shorter drive, Arusha National Park is closer.
Chemka Hot Springs is the swimming trip, with guide supervision. At Materuni and Marangu the guide decides whether the pools are safe on the day. Lake Chala is not a swimming trip, and the Chala canoeing day replaces swimming with canoeing in life jackets.
Children are welcome on many vehicle-based day trips, but hiking, walking safaris, canoeing and mountain activities have different safety requirements. Confirm your child’s age with Kilimania before booking. The Shira Plateau day hike is not recommended for children because of the altitude.
Free cancellation: cancel up to 2 days (48 hours) before your pick-up time for a full refund. Cancel within 2 days of pick-up and receive a 60% refund. The full terms are on the booking terms and cancellation page.
More answers are in our day trips FAQ.
The right day trip comes down to three things: how long you can spend in a vehicle, how much effort you want, and what you hope to see. Materuni, Chemka and the Marangu trips suit short drives. Arusha National Park balances variety and distance, while Tarangire and Manyara are long safari days. Send your date and group size and Kilimania will confirm availability, the itinerary and your exact price.
Packing list · When to go · Contact Kilimania · About us
We Walk With You.
Free cancellation up to 2 days before pick-up.
Senior Kilimanjaro Guide and co-founder, Kilimania Adventure
22+ years guiding on Mount Kilimanjaro, 300+ Uhuru Peak summits and KINAPA-licensed since 2003. The mountain trips on this page draw on that experience.
Safari trips are led by Kanti Kessy, who has 17 years on the Northern Circuit.
We Walk With You.Kilimania Adventure | Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania | +255 756 449 990 | info@kilimania.co.tz
Explore our most popular Tanzania Day Trip Packages, expertly crafted for unforgettable wildlife adventures and experiences.
Chemka Hot Springs Day Trip Near Moshi and Arusha Oasis Fun!
Marangu Waterfalls and Cultural Day Trip Near Kilimanjaro.
Materuni Waterfalls Day Trip with Chagga Culture Near Kilimanjaro.
Mount Meru Day Hike Experience in Arusha National Park.
Arusha National Park Day Trip Safari Near Mount Meru.
Lake Chala Day Trip to a Hidden Crater Lake Near Kilimanjaro.
Lake Chala Hike and Canoeing Experience Near Mount Kilimanjaro.
Shira Plateau Day Hike Experience on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Maasai Boma Cultural Experience with Local Community in Tanzania.
Tarangire National Park Day Trip Safari with Elephants and Baobabs.
Arusha City Day Trip Experience with Culture, History and Local Life.
Lake Manyara National Park Day Trip Safari with Wildlife and Scenery.
Marangu Route Day Hike Experience on Mount Kilimanjaro.
