What You Need to Know: The best day trips after climbing Kilimanjaro are gentle ones: the Chemka hot springs (warm, clear water about an hour from Moshi), a coffee tour with a Chagga family, or the Materuni waterfall walk if your legs feel fine. A day safari in Arusha National Park or Tarangire works well too, as you sit in the vehicle. Most local trips cost from US$115 per person from Moshi, with lunch included, and return by late afternoon. Avoid long hikes the day after the summit.
The Day After the Summit: What Your Body Needs
Coming off Kilimanjaro, your knees and thighs ache from the long descent, you are short of sleep, and you may still be tired from the altitude. The first day back in Moshi is best spent resting, eating well and taking a hot shower. If you want to go out, choose something with little walking and lots of sitting: water, food and gentle scenery.
The Best Rest-Day Trips from Moshi
Ranked from easiest to most active:
| Day trip | Walking | From Moshi | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemka hot springs | Very little | About 1 hour | From US$115 |
| Coffee tour | Short, on the farm | 30–60 minutes | US$123 |
| Serval Wildlife | Easy | About 1 hour | US$380 |
| Lake Chala | Steep path down the crater to the water (or stay on the rim) | About 1.5 hours | US$123 |
| Marangu waterfalls and Chagga caves | Moderate | About 1 hour | From US$115 |
| Materuni waterfall and coffee | About 1 hour each way, steep in places | 30–45 minutes | From US$115 |
Why Chemka Is the Climbers' Favorite
The Chemka hot springs are a clear, warm, spring-fed pool under fig trees, about an hour from Moshi. You can float for hours, which is exactly what sore legs want, and there is a rope swing for anyone with energy left. Lunch is a picnic in the shade.
Coffee and Culture Without a Hike
Kilimanjaro's slopes grow some of Tanzania's best Arabica. On the coffee tour, a family shows you how they pick, roast and grind the beans, and you drink the result. It takes about 3–4 hours on the farm, with little walking, and is a good way to meet the Chagga people whose mountain you just climbed.
Starting a Safari Straight After the Climb
A safari is a natural rest after a climb, because you spend the day sitting in a Land Cruiser. If you only have one day, Arusha National Park is the easiest; Tarangire gives you elephants for a longer drive. For several days, our 11-day Kilimanjaro climb and safari combines both in one booking.
What to Avoid After the Climb
A few things are best left for later:
- Long or steep hikes, such as the Mount Meru day hike, in the first two days
- Very long drives, like a crater day trip, straight after the descent
- Booking a flight on the same day you come off the mountain: allow at least one night in Moshi
How to Plan Your Days in Moshi
Most of our climbing packages include a hotel night in Moshi before and after the climb. Add one or two free days after the descent, and book trips with us when you arrive or at the end of the climb: we usually arrange them for the next day. See where to sleep before and after Kilimanjaro and things to do in Moshi.
Common Questions About Day Trips After Kilimanjaro
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
What should I do after climbing Kilimanjaro?
Rest the first day, then take an easy trip such as the Chemka hot springs or a coffee tour, or start a safari.
Can I go on safari right after Kilimanjaro?
Yes. Many climbers start a safari the day after the descent, since it involves little walking.
Are the Materuni waterfalls too hard after a climb?
The walk is about an hour each way and steep in places, so leave it for your second free day if your knees are sore.
How much are day trips from Moshi?
From US$115 per person for the local trips, with lunch included; park day safaris from US$332 per person for 2.
Can you book day trips at short notice?
Usually yes: tell us at the end of your climb and we arrange the trip for the next day.
Bottom Line: Which Day Trip After Kilimanjaro?
Chemka for tired legs, the coffee tour for culture without walking, and a park day safari if you want wildlife. Compare them all on our day trips page.