Mount Meru

Apart from organizing treks on Mount Kilimanjaro and Kenya, we also plan for mount Meru trek in Arusha. Like Mount Kilimanjaro and Kenya; Mount Meru is a volcanic mountain with the height of 4566m, (14,000 ft) altitude above sea level. It can be conquered with a little bit hardship in three days. A four day ascent is however archieved with less hardship and this is highly recommended for a hiker who wants to attempt this mountain to the summit. If you plan to conquer the highest point of Africa-Uhuru Peak / Hansmayer Peak, you may consider Mount Meru in order to shape your body in attaining your goal. The hiking is very exciting as you experience many things on your way up including games such as Giraffes, buffalos, warthogs, Zebras, Monkeys and birds.

Mt. Meru (4,566 m.) is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and a much underrated mountain to climb because of its close proximity to Kilimanjaro.Hike Mount Meru. It is a horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater with a spectacularly narrow ridge and superb all round views. The cliffs of the inner wall below the summit are over 1500 m. high, and inside the caldera is a subsidiary peak called the Ash Cone (3,670 m.) that last erupted only 100 years ago. There is an immense variety of tree and plant life, adding considerably to the interest of the trek.

Mt. Meru is part of Arusha National Park, and the lower slopes of the mountain shelter a variety of wildlife. The routes below Miriakamba Hut are more like walking safaris than mountain climbs and our guide is an informed and armed park ranger (in case we get too close to some of the animals!). You are almost certain to see buffaloes, warthogs, monkeys, and a variety of birdlife. Giraffe and elephant are also quite common.

Accommodation is the two well maintained wooden huts that have spectacular views of Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds. The climb of Mt. Meru is very much justified on its own merits but is also a great way to get acclimatized for Kilimanjaro. The view of Kilimanjaro from Meru , and that of Meru crater itself, gives plenty of inspiration for another mountain climb!

Though often ignored in favour of its big sister, Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is a worthy trekker’s paradise. This massive volcano towers over 3,000 meters above Arusha town, which lies at its foot on its south side. The mountain endured a violent explosion about 200 million years ago. In its wake the explosion left towering cliffs in a gaping U shaped ridge on the eastern side. Today the crater stands in a protected amphitheatre of a sort, thousands of feet below the summit rocks. The craggy top lies at the western most point of the summit ridge and juts boldly into the sky at 4566 mt. (14,979 feet). From the top, one can look out at Kilimanjaro from the highest perch possible…. Perhaps there is no better vantage point to gaze at Africa’s highest mountain, approximately 80 kilometres to the northeast. The trail to the summit follows the northern rim of the natural amphitheatre which forms Meru Crater. The trail skirts the ridgeline, and above the Saddle (between the summit and Little Meru Peak (12,533 ft / 3,820 metres). The route is quite steep, with sections of rock scrambling on one side. At the summit, the cliffs drop almost 1200 meters to the crater floor. The final overnight trek is a bit of a challenge due to the altitude and the steep terrain. It is recommended that an informed decision be made by hikers who are to go all the way to the summit.

What makes this trek truly special is the chance to see animals on foot. The lower section of the trail runs into the forest on the Meru crater floor, with many large, potentially dangerous game animals about. The biggest danger being Cape Buffalos and elephants An armed ranger comes along on this trek for safety. You may see while on this trek many other animals, including giraffe, waterbuck, bushbuck, dik dik, warthog, olive baboon, Abyssinian (black & white) Colobus monkey, sykes monkey. In adddtion, you may find traces of leopard, civet cat, red duiker and mountain duiker. The neighbouring Momella Lakes attracts thousands of European and African migrant species in the green season.


Climbing Mount Meru Hiking - Itinerary
Arusha - Momella Gate (4,920 ft. / 1,500 mt.)
Miriakamba Hut (8,250 ft. / 2,514 mt.)

Day 1
Morning transfer from Arusha into Arusha National Park, to the Momella Gate (about 1.5 hours). After completion of administrative formalities and meeting with the guide, porters and ranger, you will begin the 4 to 5 hour trek to Miriakamba Hut, through the crater floor. The gentle uphill trek will take you through thick woodland, past the giant fig tree arch up to the Itikoni clearing where they are likely to buffalo grazing. They you’ll then cross a large stream just above the Maio waterfalls, and take a steep path up the crater rim wall to Miriakamba. You may encounter elephant along the way, and an armed ranger will escort you at every step. Have dinner then retire for the night at Miriakamba Hut.


Day 2 Miriakamba Hut ~ Saddle Hut (12,300 ft. / 3,750 mt.)
Saddle hut is at approximately 2 to 3 hours trekking from Miriakamba Hut. The path will take you though a mix of trees and pleasant glades up to Mgongo wa Tembo (elephant ridge), where you will have a clear view of Meru crater and the cliffs below the summit. Continue through a pass between the slopes of Meru and the peak of Little Meru to reach Saddle Hut. There is an optional 1 to 1.5 hour round trip hike to the summit of Little Meru, from the Saddle Hut.

DAY 3 Mount Meru

SADDLE HUT ~ SUMMIT (14,979 ft. / 4566 mt.) ~ MIRIAKAMBA HUT

They will be woken at about 3am, and begin trekking between 3:30 to 4am. A trek of approximately 4 to 5 hours along a narrow ridge, between the sheer cliffs and the sloping outer wall will see them to the summit. The walk has been said to be both exhilarating and nerve wracking. Whatever the reaction, the breathtaking sunrise over Kilimanjaro makes it all worthwhile. After the summit, they will retrace their steps back to Saddle Hut for a rest, then descend down the ridge to Miriakamba for some rest, dinner, and overnight. The total trekking time this day is from 8 to 11 hours.

DAY 4 Mount Meru

MIRIAKAMBA HUT ~ MOMELLA GATE

Continuing down through open mountain meadows and wooded streams directly to the Momella Gate, where you will be met by your driver and proceed to Arusha for some rest. The total trekking time this day is from 3 to 4 hours but the 4 day trip is highly recommended