1-Day Safari · Day trip

Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike

A quiet, uncrowded waterfall just outside Moshi

1 days Best: Year-round From $54/person

On film around Moshi

Our videos from Moshi — the area this trip leaves from.

chemka hotsprings with the Beast of Africa #nature #beastofafriaca #travel
how to discover tanzania #nature #learning #trvelvlog #motivation

What you get — from $54 per person

Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike
everything included

  • A licensed local guide the whole way
  • Entrance on the route
  • Coffee or tea with a snack
  • Drinking water

Free with every booking

  • Free price check and plan on WhatsApp before you decide
  • Your guide takes your photos, so you are in them
  • WhatsApp help 24/7 while you are in Tanzania

No risk to ask: your price is free and without obligation, and the price I write down is the price you pay. Prices checked November 2026.

  1. Send your date
  2. Get your exact price today
  3. Enjoy the day
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★ 4.8 Google★ 5.0 TripadvisorGovernment-licensed guide

A short hike to Mailisita Waterfall — known locally as Paradise Waterfall — a hidden, far-less-crowded alternative to Materuni, just outside Moshi.

  • Far quieter than Materuni
  • natural swimming pool
  • banana and coffee farmland
  • easy half-day
The Plan

Day by day

Every guide in Moshi knows Mailisita and almost nobody sends visitors there, because Materuni is easier to sell and easier to reach. The locals call it Paradise. It is smaller, quieter, closer to town, and on most days you will share it with nobody.

Morning or afternoon: The drive is short — Mailisita sits just outside Moshi, and you are on the trail within twenty minutes of leaving your hotel. The path runs through smallholder farms first, banana and maize and coffee planted tight together, past houses where people are working and will greet you. This is not a wilderness walk. It is a walk through somewhere people live, which is a different and in some ways better thing.

The hike takes between 45 and 90 minutes depending on which approach we use and how much you stop. It is moderate: some uphill, some loose ground, a stream crossing or two. Nothing technical.

The falls themselves sit in a narrow forested cut, with a pool at the base that is deep enough to swim and cold enough that you will not stay in long. The forest closes overhead so the light comes down in patches. There is a flat area beside the water where you can sit and dry off, and it is the sort of place where people end up staying an hour longer than they planned.

Birdlife is good here — the forest fringe holds turacos, hornbills and sunbirds, and because there is rarely anybody making noise you actually hear them.

Return: Back in Moshi by early afternoon if you go in the morning, or before dark if you go after lunch.

Who this is for: anybody who has already done Materuni, anybody travelling in high season who wants to avoid the crowd, and anybody with only half a day. It is also the cheapest guided waterfall walk we run, because the driving is minimal.

What to bring: swimwear, towel, grippy shoes, insect repellent. There are no facilities at the falls at all — no shop, no toilet, no shelter. Bring your own water.

Straight answers

Questions people actually ask

Including the ones with inconvenient answers. If something here reads as less reassuring than the usual glossy marketing, that is deliberate.

Why book with a local agency rather than an international one?

Because we are here. The company you book with in London or New York subcontracts the actual driving, guiding and problem-solving to someone in Arusha — usually to someone like us. Booking direct removes a margin and, more importantly, removes a layer between you and the person who can actually fix things when a road floods or a camp overbooks.

What happens after I send an enquiry?

A person reads it, usually within a few hours, and replies with questions rather than a template. Once we understand what you actually want we build an itinerary with real camps and real costs, and we will tell you where your budget is not going to stretch to what you have described. No deposit is requested until you have seen the full plan in writing.

Can you help if something goes wrong during the trip?

That is the main reason to book with a local agency. Every guest gets a 24-hour number that reaches a person in Arusha. We handle hospital runs, lost passports, police reports, replacement flights, and the mundane things — a chemist run, a phone repair, groceries to a lodge. It is the same network we open to volunteers, NGOs and film crews through Africa Connect.

Do you do custom itineraries?

Almost everything we run is custom. The itineraries on this site are starting points that show what is realistic in a given number of days. Tell us your dates, your budget, and the two or three things you would be disappointed to miss, and we will build around those rather than around a package.

How do payments work?

A deposit confirms the booking and the balance is due before travel, with the exact terms in writing before you pay anything. Park fees and camp deposits are paid on to the authorities and the camps — we show you that breakdown. We do not take card payment against an indicative price; you get a firm quote first.

Not answered here? Ask us on WhatsApp — a person replies within 24 hours.

Transparent Pricing

What it costs

Per person, all-in for this itinerary — park fees, transfers, guiding and lodging at each tier. Final quote confirmed before you commit.

Essential$54Enquire
Classic$98Enquire
Luxury$98Enquire
On This Journey

Destinations you'll explore

Mailisita Moshi
Group & shared prices

One honest price — the more of you walk together, the less each pays

Everyone — locals and visitors

Walks cost the same whatever your passport

Group walkfull group · per person from $54
Private, 2 peopleToyota Alphard · per person $98
Solo travellera private guide just for you $173

≈ 142,000 TSH per person, shared

Prices shown are current starting prices (November 2026). They can rise or fall with the time of year — peak season (late June–October and mid-December–February) is busier and can cost more, the long rains (April–May) and November are quieter and can cost less — and with fuel prices and government park fees. Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you pay anything.

Pay only for what you want

Your trip, your budget

We include everything by default, so there are no surprises on the day. But every inclusion is a choice, not a rule — take out what you don’t need and the price comes down.

  • Bring a friendTwo walkers share the guide — each pays less than one alone.save ~$75 pp
  • Walk with a groupShare your guide with other walkers instead of a private walk.save ~$44 pp
Discounts available And on top of that — just ask. Every package can be discounted. Tell Shaiya your dates and group; consultation is free, 24/7. Tailor my price on WhatsApp

Savings are per person for two travellers, worked out from today’s real costs. The calculator below shows your exact price.

4–5 hours, about 2 hours walking. Staying in Moshi; coffee or tea and a snack included. Want a tuk-tuk or taxi from your hotel, or staying in Arusha? Use the calculator below.

The walk

Where you’ll walk

  • Time4–5 hours, about 2 hours walking
  • StartYour hotel in Moshi
  • WhenAny day — morning or afternoon, you choose the time
  • LevelEasy pace, stops all the way. Wear comfortable shoes.
  1. Short drive out of Moshi
  2. Trail through banana and coffee farmland
  3. Mailisita (Paradise) waterfall and natural pool
  4. Swim if you like — bring a towel

Mailisita Waterfall Hike — quick facts

Also known as: Mailisita waterfall · Paradise waterfall Moshi · Moshi waterfall hike · nature walk Moshi

Price
From $54 pp in a group · $98 each for 2 · $173 solo
Same price for everyone · ≈ 142,000 TSH
Duration
4–5 hours, about 2 hours walking
Starts
Your hotel in Moshi
From Arusha
about 1.5 hours drive each way from Arusha (≈75 km)
From Moshi
about 1 hour drive each way from Moshi (≈35 km)
Included
Waterfall entrance, local guide, coffee or tea and a snack, drinking water · transport optional
Book / ask
WhatsApp or call +255 702 345 991 — free consultation 24/7
How much is the Mailisita Waterfall Hike?

From $54 per person in a group, $98 each for two people and $173 for a solo traveller with a private guide. The price is the same for East Africans and international visitors. It includes a licensed guide, waterfall entrance, local guide, coffee or tea and a snack; a tuk-tuk or taxi from your hotel can be added in the calculator.

How long is the Mailisita Waterfall Hike?

4–5 hours, about 2 hours walking.

What is the entrance fee for Mailisita Waterfall Hike?

The entrance fee is already included in every price on this page — you pay nothing extra at the gate. Entrance and local fees on this trip come to about $15 per person (≈ 40,000 TSH). The price also covers waterfall entrance, local guide, coffee or tea and a snack. Gate fees are set locally and can change; your written quote always uses the current fee.

Where does the Mailisita Waterfall Hike start?

Your hotel in Moshi. Staying outside Moshi? The calculator adds transport.

What will I see on the Mailisita Waterfall Hike?

Short drive out of Moshi; Trail through banana and coffee farmland; Mailisita (Paradise) waterfall and natural pool; Swim if you like — bring a towel.

Can I do the Mailisita Waterfall Hike alone?

Yes. Solo travellers get a private licensed guide, from $173. Many guests book it on an arrival day or a rest day between safaris.

Is the Mailisita Waterfall Hike safe?

Yes, with a licensed local guide who knows the streets and the people. Keep valuables out of sight, ask before photographing people, and your guide handles any bargaining for you.

Is lunch included?

Coffee or tea and a snack are included. A lunch box can be added for $15 per person, or your guide can take you to a local restaurant where you pay for what you eat.

Are discounts available on the Mailisita Waterfall Hike?

Yes. Discounts are available on every package — just ask. Message +255 702 345 991 on WhatsApp with your date and group size; consultation is free, 24/7.

How do I book the Mailisita Waterfall Hike?

Use the calculator on this page and tap "Send this quote on WhatsApp", or message +255 702 345 991. Consultation is free, 24/7. You pay only after a written confirmation quoting your reference number.

Price calculator — your walk

Choose where you are staying, how many of you are walking and how you want to reach the start. The price is worked out from real costs — your licensed guide, entrance fees, coffee and a snack, and transport only if you want it — and you can see every line. Same price for East Africans and international visitors. Send it to us and Shaiya confirms it personally.

$98 per person Total $196 for 2 people 1 × Toyota Alphard
See how this price is made

Discounts are available on every package — just ask. Estimate from today's fuel and fees. Prices can rise or fall with the season (peak late June–October and mid-December–February; quieter April–May and November), fuel and park fees. Shaiya checks your quote and confirms the final price in writing, within 24 hours — the confirmed price is the price you pay. Consultation is free, 24/7.
Stay safe: our only numbers are +255 702 345 991 and +255 628 553 132. We never ask for verification codes, and never ask you to pay before you receive a written confirmation quoting your reference number. Airport pickup or drop-off from $75 per vehicle — transfer prices.

Quick price guide — per person, staying in Moshi, coffee & snack included

Getting there 1 person2 people4 people6 people8 people12 people
Toyota AlphardEveryone — same price for locals and visitors $173 $98 $61 $71 $59 $60
Land Cruiser 4x4Everyone — same price for locals and visitors $398 $211 $117 $86 $115 $86
Toyota CoasterEveryone — same price for locals and visitors $301 $163 $93 $70 $59 $48

One licensed guide for every 8 walkers. Included: waterfall entrance, local guide, coffee or tea and a snack, drinking water, and transport if you choose it. Not included: lunch (add it in the calculator), tips and shopping.

Free consultation · 24/7 · no obligation

Talk to Shaiya about this trip — free of charge, any time

Questions about dates, prices, fitness, kids, weather or anything else in Tanzania. A licensed local guide answers you personally, day or night.

You are the hero of the journey — I am the guide who helps make your dream Tanzania trip happen.

  • Government-licensed guideTanzanian, based in Arusha
  • Discounts availableon every package — just ask on WhatsApp
  • Price confirmed in writingbefore you pay anything — no extras at the vehicle door
  • Every cost shownvehicle, fuel, guide, fees — see the calculator
  • 24/7 local helpwhile you are in Tanzania, not just before you book
  • Scam-safe bookingour numbers only: +255 702 345 991 and +255 628 553 132. We never ask for codes, and never take payment before written confirmation
  • 4.8★ on Google · 5 reviewsreal guest reviews

Travelled with us? ★★★★★ Share your story on Google — it helps the next traveller find their way.

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Answers, right now

The things people usually message to ask — answered here so you do not have to wait for a reply.

How much is it for my group?

It depends how many of you there are, and the reason is simple: one vehicle, one guide and one tank of fuel cost the same whether two of you come or eight. Split further, the price each falls. Only the entrance fee is per head.

  • 2 people — $98 each
  • 4 people — $61 each
  • 6 sharing — $68 each

Use the group calculator above for your exact number. That figure is the price — nothing is added afterwards.

What is included?

Private transport and all fuel, a licensed local guide, every park or village entrance fee including VAT, drinking water, and pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

Not included: tips — appreciated, never expected — drinks other than water, and personal items.

Nothing is added at the vehicle door. What you see is what you pay.

Can I book for tomorrow?

Usually yes, if you message tonight. Same-day depends on where you are staying and what you want to do.

Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp and you will get a straight answer — including if the answer is no.

Do East Africans pay less?

Not on this particular trip. The entrance fee here is a community or village fee, which is the same for everyone — there is no government differential to pass on, so we do not pretend there is one.

On national park trips the saving is real and significant. Ask and we will tell you which.

How long is the day?

A full day. Pickup from your hotel in the morning, back in the late afternoon or early evening — exact times depend where you are staying.

If you are jet-lagged or acclimatising for a climb, say so and we will tell you honestly whether it is too much.

Something not answered here? Message Shaiya directly
Shaiya, licensed guide

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What’s included

Everything below is costed into the price you see — park fees, fuel at today’s pump price, the guide, the vehicle. Nothing is added at the vehicle door.

Included

  • Private transport in a 4x4 with a pop-up roof, and all fuel
  • A licensed local guide for the whole trip — not a driver with a map
  • Village, community or site entrance fees
  • Drinking water throughout the day
  • Lunch where the day runs through midday
  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in town
  • Photographs of your day, taken by your guide and sent to you afterwards — no charge, no watermark, yours to keep
  • Mobile WiFi in the vehicle where there is network coverage
  • Government taxes and levies on the above

Not included

  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Tanzanian visa — about $50 for most nationalities, free for East African citizens
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for your guide and crew — appreciated, never expected, and entirely your call
  • Drinks other than the water provided
  • Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
  • Anything not listed as included above

Where this goes

The actual stops, in order. Distances are short — this is why the day works.

  1. Mailisita
  2. Moshi

Optional extras

Available on request and priced when you ask — not bundled into the figure above.

  • Pickup at Namanga border Coming from Nairobi? We can meet you at the Namanga crossing and drive you in, so you are not changing vehicles or negotiating a fare after five hours on a shuttle. Tell us your crossing time and we will be there.
  • Live video call from the trip We can video-call family back home from the vehicle or the viewpoint where the network allows it. Coverage is good around Arusha, Moshi and the foothills, and unreliable deep inside the parks — we will tell you honestly which applies to your route rather than promise something the signal cannot deliver.
  • Local coffee to take home On the coffee routes we can arrange a bag direct from the family whose farm you visit, at what they charge rather than a gift-shop price.

Practical detail

Duration
One day
Best months
Year-round
Group size
Private by default. Price per person falls as the group grows — the vehicle and guide cost the same either way.
Pickup
From your hotel. Tell us where you are staying and we will confirm a time.
What to bring
Swimwear and a towel, closed shoes with grip, sun protection, a light rain layer in the wet months, cash in small notes.

Add another day in Moshi

These run from the same base, so combining them saves a transfer — and the per-person price drops when the vehicle is already going out.

Common questions

How much does the Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike cost?

From $54 per person. That includes transport, fuel, a licensed local guide and all entrance fees. The per-person price falls as the group grows, because the vehicle and guide cost the same whether two people come or eight.

What is included in the Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike?

Private 4x4 transport and fuel, a licensed local guide, all park or community entrance fees including VAT, drinking water, hotel pickup and drop-off, and government taxes. Not included: flights, visa, insurance, tips, drinks and personal items.

How long is the Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike?

One full day, with pickup from your hotel in the morning and drop-off in the late afternoon. Exact times depend on where you are staying.

When is the best time for the Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike?

Year-round. That said, this runs year-round and we will tell you honestly if your dates fall in a poor window rather than take the booking anyway.

Do East African citizens pay less?

Where a national park is involved, yes — Tanzania National Parks charges East African citizens a lower entrance fee than non-residents and we pass that straight through. Community-run attractions charge everyone the same, so those prices do not change. A national ID or EAC passport is checked at the gate.

Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike from $54 pp shared
Signature Moments

Make it a day you actually remember

Add any of these to this trip. Each is priced on its own and arranged for your group only — nothing here is bundled into the price above, and nothing is charged unless you ask for it.

  • Picnic on the horizon from $35 per group We carry a proper lunch to a viewpoint chosen for the light, not for convenience — the Rift escarpment above Mto wa Mbu, the Momella lakes below Meru, or the ridge over Materuni. Blanket, real food, no plastic chairs.
  • Table for two, outdoors from $90 per group A set table somewhere with a view and nobody else in it — lanterns after dark, a cooked meal rather than a packed one, and your guide out of sight until you want the drive home. Arranged for anniversaries, proposals and the occasional very good apology.
  • Sundowner on the escarpment from $40 per group The oldest good idea in East African travel. We drive out for the last hour of light, set up somewhere the valley falls away, and pour something cold. Beer, wine or soft — tell us which. Sunset here is quick, so we time the drive to it rather than the other way round.
  • Bicycle ride-out from $30 per group Add a couple of hours on two wheels to any day — the flat farm tracks around Mto wa Mbu, the Chagga village lanes above Moshi, or the lanes around Tengeru. Bikes and helmets provided, pace set by the slowest rider, and the support vehicle follows so nobody has to be a hero.
  • Music on the trail from $20 per group A small speaker, a battery that lasts the day, and whatever you want playing while you walk — or a local musician who meets us at the waterfall and plays there, which is the better version. Tell us which and we will arrange it.
  • A night out, looked after from $30 per group Tell us what kind of evening you want and we take you there — The Hub for sports and a mixed crowd, Aces if you want it smarter, Maasai Camp if you want it loud, or Redstone if you are in Moshi and want the big night out. Collected from your hotel, driven between places if you want to move on, and brought back safely whenever you are done. You are not figuring out a taxi alone at midnight in a city you do not know.
  • Stars, away from the town from $35 per group Twenty minutes out of Arusha or Moshi is enough to lose the light pollution completely. We drive out after dinner, bring blankets and something hot, and stay until you have had enough. Best on a new moon — ask and we will tell you when that falls.
Ask about adding one
Ready When You Are

Make Paradise (Mailisita) Waterfall Hike yours

Tell us your dates and we'll tailor every day. Shaiya replies personally within 24 hours.