Tucked away in the lush foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu is a charming Tanzanian village that offers far more than just the most famous route to Africa’s highest peak. The Marangu Route, often dubbed the “Coca-Cola Route” for its relative ease and comfort, is the most well-trodden path up Kilimanjaro. But many don’t realize that the mountain’s lower slopes around Marangu are just as mesmerizing as the summit itself. Verdant coffee farms, waterfalls cascading through dense rainforest, and hidden caves tell stories of nature and history.
How to get there?
Lake Chala is about 55 km from Moshi and 140 km from Arusha.
From Moshi
Dala-Dala (Local Minibus) is the cheapest option, costing less than $2, but it can be slow and crowded.
A private taxi should cost around $20-$30, taking 45 minutes to an hour.
From Arusha
Regular minibuses and shared taxis run between Arusha and Moshi, taking 1.5 to 2 hours. From Moshi, you can continue by dala-dala or taxi.
Self-drive
If you prefer driving, you can rent a car in Arusha or Moshi. The road to Marangu is well-paved and easy to navigate, with scenic views of Kilimanjaro along the way. Just watch out for speed bumps!
By Tour Package
Many tour operators in Moshi and Arusha offer guided day trips, including transport, meals, and activities like hiking or coffee tours. However, they will quote you about 100 USD or more, and you will save a lot of money by doing it yourself and hiring a local guide near Marangu Bus Stand. It’s really easy.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Marangu depends on what you’re looking for – whether it’s trekking Kilimanjaro, exploring the waterfalls, or immersing yourself in the local culture. But generally, the dry seasons offer the best experience.
January to mid-March: Warm temperatures, clear skies, and fewer crowds. This is one of the best times for climbing Kilimanjaro or hiking around the waterfalls.
June to October – The peak season for Kilimanjaro climbs. The weather is stable, but the trails can get busy, especially around the Marangu Route. This is also the best time for exploring the lush landscapes without too much rain.
Months to avoid:
Mid-March to May – Heavy rains can make trails slippery and waterfalls harder to access. However, if you enjoy dramatic landscapes and don’t mind the rain, the greenery is at its most vibrant.
November to early December – A shorter rainy season, but still brings unpredictable weather. If you visit during this time, be prepared for occasional downpours.
For coffee lovers:
If you’re visiting for a coffee tour, aim for September to December, when the coffee cherries are being harvested. It’s a great time to see the full process from picking to roasting, with the added bonus of lush green scenery.
Where to stay?
I recommend Karibu Africa House and The Better Inn. Both places offer good quality at an affordable price, and they also offer day trips to Lake Chala or Marangu, but Karibu Africa House is significantly cheaper in that aspect.
How much does it cost?
I don’t share the exact entrance fees here, as they can vary, but expect to pay between 10.000 – 20.000 TZS per attraction. Whatever price they want you to pay at the entrances to the waterfalls, always ask for the official receipt. If they can’t give you one, try to negotiate the price down by at least 50%. You may say that you are volunteering in Moshi or Arusha so as not to look like a typical tourist. I use this strict very often, but even though it’s a lie, I don’t feel bad about it as even when I get to pay the resident price, it’s still much higher than the price for locals.
Also, don’t let them fool you into thinking that taking a guide down the falls is necessary. You can take one if you wish to, but you will be perfectly fine going solo. That’s how things work in Tanzania, and you need to be decisive and strong, otherwise, locals will take advantage of you.
My experience
It was quick to get into dala-dala heading to Marangu, however the travel was so damn slow. In one of the towns, Himo, we waited for a very long time for passengers to join, and some annoying boda-boda driver approached the bus and started annoyingly talking to me and asking for money.
When I finally reached Marangu, almost immediately, I was approached by a guy who asked to be my guide. I had a plan to explore the area independently, but it was really difficult to get rid of him, and at some point, I was like, why not? He made a very friendly impression on me, so we agreed on the price and proceeded to the first stop: Chagga Museum.
Just to make it clear: taking a guide in the Marangu area is absolutely not necessary, and it is easy enough to find the way using navigation or Mapy.CZ. If you decide to hire one, always discuss the costs upfront and make sure they know which places you want to visit.
Chagga Museum, Tunnels, Coffee Tour
Carved by the Chagga people centuries ago, these caves served as hideouts during conflicts with the Maasai. Walking through the narrow, dimly lit tunnels, you can almost feel the echoes of the past, imagining the resilience of those who once sought refuge here.
The Maasai are a pastoralist society that relies heavily on cattle. The Chagga, who were primarily agriculturalists, also kept livestock. Maasai warriors (Morans) would often raid Chagga villages for cattle, as wealth and social status in Maasai culture were closely tied to the number of cows a man owned.
Moreover, the Chagga lived on the fertile slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, where there was a reliable water supply from the mountain streams. The Maasai, who lived in the drier plains below, frequently moved in search of pasture and water, leading to clashes over these resources.
To protect themselves from Maasai raids, the Chagga created an elaborate system of underground tunnels and caves, which served as hiding places and escape routes. These tunnels were dug beneath villages or near forests, making them hard to detect. Some tunnels had separate rooms for families, food storage, and even livestock, ensuring survival during prolonged attacks.
The Chagga huts located at the same site showed where they lived in peacetime. There was an actual cow’s calf and goat tied in there, and I had very mixed feelings about it as it was probably a set up just for tourists. The fire is lit every day, apparently to prevent the timber from getting insects.
They also do coffee tours, but I wasn’t interested in joining as I have already done one in Materuni.
Waterfalls
After the museum, we went for a hike to three waterfalls. The first one was Komteshane Moonjo Falls. Small and unimpressive but with quite a big pool if you want to dip in. Anyway, definitely not worth the entrance fee or the time.
The second one, Ndoro Falls, was much better. Be prepared for a short, winding hike to and from the cliff tops to the waterfall below. It’s a good idea to wear shoes with grip! You can take a dip if you enjoy cold water.
The third and last was Kilasiya Falls. There is a trail with a wooden ramp leading down. The rocks leading to the falls are slippery, so I recommend wearing water shoes or sandals.
Other waterfalls in the area that may be worth checking out are Paradise Falls, Kinukamori Falls, and Kilimanjaro Village Falls.
