Arusha & Moshi Add-ons

Day Trips & Short Excursions

The Gateway to Adventure Before or After Your Safari

Oasis

Chemka Hot Springs (Kikuletwa)

Mountain Life

Materuni Coffee & Waterfalls

Wildlife

Arusha National Park (Compact Safari)

Culture

Authentic Maasai Village Visit

Oases and Cascades

1. Chemka Hot Springs (The Desert Oasis)

  • Location: 1.5 hr drive from Arusha or Moshi.
  • Experience: Swim in crystal-clear, turquoise geothermal pools (27°C–30°C) bubbling from underground.
  • Adventure: Swing over the water, jump from tree roots, or explore submerged caves with an optional guided oxygen dive.
  • Vibe: "An oasis born from fire and stone," perfect for relaxation and picnic lunch.

4. Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour

  • Location: Materuni village, Moshi (45 min drive).
  • Experience: Hike through lush rainforest to the 150 m waterfall (highest in Moshi area).
  • Culture: Hands-on Chagga coffee-making workshop (pick, roast, grind, and brew your own cup).
  • Lunch: Authentic local meal: banana stew, beans, and avocado salad.

Nature, City & Living Traditions

2 & 3. Lake Duluti & Napuru Falls

  • Lake Duluti: Small volcanic crater lake (15 min from Arusha). Activities include canoeing, birdwatching, and lakeside painting sessions.
  • Napuru Falls: 2–3 hr guided hike through forest to the 90 m waterfall and cold plunge pool.
  • Viewpoint: Napuru Viewpoint offers a panoramic sunset view of Arusha city and Mount Meru.

5 & 7. Arusha NP & Cycling Adventures

  • Arusha NP: Tanzania’s most diverse small park (40 min from Arusha). Best for half-day safaris, canoeing Momella Lakes, and seeing colobus monkeys.
  • Best For: Guests wanting wildlife + nature + mountain views in a single day.
  • Cycling: Enjoy guided bike rides like the Arusha to Lake Duluti Loop (25 km) or Moshi to Chemka Springs (40 km).

6 & 10. Maasai Culture & Half-Day Add-ons

  • Maasai Tour: Authentic visit to a boma near Longido or Ngare Nanyuki. Learn about warrior traditions, beadwork, and storytelling.
  • Blacksand Promise: Genuine cultural exchange—we only work with families who benefit directly.
  • Add-ons: Arusha City Tour (Maasai market, Tanzanite Museum), Shanga Workshop Visit (recycled craft center), or a local Swahili cooking class.

The Unique & Untouched

8. Diving & Caving in Chemka

  • The Frontier: Blacksand offers the only guided diving in Chemka’s submerged volcanic caves.
  • Discovery: Descend into tunnels where prehistoric hippopotamus bones were found (10–20 m depth).
  • Why Special: "It’s raw Tanzania adventure — no crowds, just light beams cutting through blue silence."
  • Note: Best for certified divers or accompanied intro sessions (all gear provided).

Blacksand Insight & Pairings

  • Maji Moto (9): Hot natural springs near Lake Natron. Perfect stop during Lengai or Natron expeditions.
  • Experience: Evening Maasai dances and sunset over the Rift escarpment.
“A day in Arusha or Moshi can hold more life than a week elsewhere — the laughter of locals, waterfalls in your footsteps, and sunsets that whisper asante sana.”