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Moshi is just under 2 hours from Arusha and is much smaller, quieter and less touristy (but still dusty!). The town is not as action packed as Arusha, preferring a slower pace. Most people just stay a few days before heading for the National Parks or to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. I was there for 2 weeks so it was nice to get to know the town, walking along the dusty roads and sipping coffee in Union cafe- where all the expats hang.

Moshi mountains, Tanzania — The surrounding area of Moshi

The town is small and much calmer than Arusha, there are cute cafes to sit with your laptop or book or just do nothing!. The best thing about Moshi is that you can see Mt Kilimanjaro on a clear day. The locals call it the ‘secret mountain’ because it’s normally hidden from view by the clouds.

Mt Kilimanjaro, seen from the road — Mt Kilimanjaro, the secret mountain

Materuni Waterfall

I took a day tour up to the mountainous forest, driving past jungle and small villages along the way. If you’re lucky you may even spot Kilimanjaro through the trees. My guide took us through the lush jungle, complete with coffee trees, banana trees and tropical fruit.

We were headed for Materuni Waterfall, which is a 30 minute easy walk. With it’s clear and refreshing water you can go for a quick swim- the water is cold though! The waterfall is quite impressive but I enjoyed the walk to get there much more interesting and the next section of the tour even more interesting- coffee!

Hillborn Organic Coffee

walking through banana trees, Tanzania — Walking to earn our coffee!

We arrived at Hillborn Organic Coffee, where the locals showed us how they make coffee from scratch, from sieving, roasting and grinding the beans, singing whilst they worked.

After being shown the process from tree to finely ground coffee, we got to taste some. Just black coffee with a spoonful of raw sugar- delicious! So full flavoured, earthy and fresh. Best coffee on my trip. After this we walked through a local village before heading back to Moshi.

dirt road in local village, Tanzania — Locals hanging out

If you find yourself in Moshi then you have to try the coffee! This day tour is easily booked from a tour office in town and gives an insight into local life.

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The clear blue waters of this hidden oasis are a refreshing change from the dusty streets of town. The Kikuletwa Hot Springs are a little slice of paradise, situated about a 90 minute drive from Moshi, Tanzania and are a perfect day out from the town.

Starting from Moshi, you can hire a taxi to take you to the springs, which can be hard to find as you need to travel on a gravel track for most of it. The landscape along the way is dry and dusty with no huge amounts of vegetation. In the taxi I wonder where the hell we are going. My driver has to ask for directions a couple of times but finally we see some trees up ahead and I catch a glimpse of the strikingly blue water between the leaves.

posing by Hot springs, Moshi — That water though!

It literally is in the middle of nowhere! I’m with a girl form my accommodation and apart from a couple of others later on, we have the place to ourselves. The water sparkles as it’s caught by the sun that manages to stream its way through the trees above. I’ve always wanted to stumble across a natural swimming hole like this!

swimming in hot springs, Moshi — A refreshing swim

The water is so clear and so blue, it doesn’t quite look real. Then I put my hand in and realise that it’s not hot! Why do they call it a hot spring?! Ah well it’s a hot day so the water is very refreshing and we jump in via the rope swing- an object that’s fun no matter what age you are.

rope swing, Hot springs, Moshi — Swinging

There are garra rufa fish in the water, which are used in ‘fish pedicures’ but they are harmless and if you’re not that ticklish then they will give you a little foot pedicure! After jumping from the rope swing and swimming in the gorgeous water, our driver buys us ‘chips my eye’, basically fries in an omelette, which is surprisingly tasty.

standing by blue waters of Hot springs, Moshi — Worth the dusty car ride

The Kikuletwa Hot Springs, although a long bumpy ride to get to, are just so beautiful and totally worth the dusty journey. Perfect for a chill-out day. A little slice of heaven.

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