Machame

Chagga Culture

Machame Waterfalls are the most amazing and beautiful falls located at the southern foot of Mount Kilimanjaro found along the different rivers which run from the very top of the Kilimanjaro´s glaciers. However, the falls are in the heart of local Chagga people. This is the "third Tanzania tribe" near the famous Kilimanjaro National Park entrance "Machame Gate", starting point of the "Machame Route".

The trekking tour to the waterfalls not only offers a beautiful scenery and landscape through lush nature. It will also allow the visitors to see fascinating caves and listen to the stories about it, and experience the traditions and lifestyle of the local Chagga people who own the land and grow bananas, coffee and other crops.

Machame waterfalls is located about 27 kms from Moshi. We offer transportation for this tour by public small bus (in Tanzania called "dala dala"), by private taxi or you can choose this day trip as a bike tour.

Itinerary

We will pick you up at your hotel in the morning after your breakfast and drive you up to Machame Gate. From here we will hike through the lust rainforest for about 1/2 hour down to a stunning waterfall, where you will have the chance to take pictures or even a refreshing morning bath if you dare. After enjoying this first oasis we will walk back to the car and drive you up to Kalali Point. From there we will walk 1 hour through the forest to more beautiful waterfalls, where you will have another chance for a refreshing swim. Still, there is more to see, we will take you through the rainforest along the river to see some interesting historical caves and tell you all the stories about it.

For lunch we will stop at a local Chagga place where you will be served traditional food. After lunch and as much relaxing time as you like, we will show you how Chagga people plant and prepare coffee. You will learn a lot about coffee as well as banana farming. Whenever you are ready you will be picked up by our bus and taken back to your hotel.

If you like you can stay here all day (10-11 hours). You are warmly welcomed to Machame village and get the chance to connect with Chagga women. You will get the opportunity to cook and eat local food together with them, you can learn about their culture and traditions, join into traditional singing and dancing, you can even stay and volunteer at any work for as long as you like.