Mount Meru

Mount Meru is an active (but dormant) volcano mountain located north of Arusha National Park found in Tanzania. Therefore this is the second-highest mountain and only 70 km from Mount Kilimanjaro. At 4562 meters, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and the fourth-highest mountain in Africa. However,  Mt Meru ascent passes through many different vegetation zones. The dry forest of the lower region gives way to a dense mountain rainforest.

Towards the top of the mountain, the vegetation consists of heath and moorland and is then finally replaced by the stunning Baron alpine deserts. As the flora changes the wildlife does so too, which is diverse and equally impressive. During the ascent, you will regularly come across large games such as elephants and buffalos. Due to this, it is obligatory to be accompanied by an armed park ranger on your tour with us.

It is a popular “warm-up” trek before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as it offers a taste of what one can expect on Kilimanjaro mountain, but it is much more than that!

Mount Meru Key facts

• Dormitory-style hut accommodation
• Climb through different vegetation zones over several days.
• Start your summit attempt around midnight and reach the peak around sunrise.
• You then descend an awesome 2000 meters on the same day, very similar to your Kilimanjaro summit day.
• Most importantly, at a height of 4562 meters (14967 feet), Mt. Meru requires your body to make changes to adapt to the altitude.
• Abundant wildlife sightings on day 1 of the climb
• Great acclimatization climb before tackling Kilimanjaro
•  Ascent and descent via the Momela route over 3 days
• Tanzania’s second tallest mountain at 4,566m
  

Visitors to Mount Meru are more likely to spot wildlife along the trail, particularly in the early days of the hike. Often a ranger will accompany trekking groups on the first day of the journey to ensure they make it safely to the first campsite.

From there, the route wanders up the north side of Meru’s volcanic crater, before approaching the true summit itself. At the top, the views are outstanding, particularly with Kilimanjaro gleaming tantalizingly in the distance.

Typically, Mount Meru Climb takes four days, but it can be done in 3 days to complete a trek to the top as acclimatization is the key to success even on this lower peak. All trekking groups take the same route up the mountain, which begins at Momella Gate.

Hikers will stay in a series of huts on their way to the top, with basic but comfortable accommodations located at two different campsites before going to the summit, located at a place called Socialist Peak.

Mount Meru Climbing offers two advantages to travelers. First, it allows trekkers a chance to experience what it is like to climb Kilimanjaro on a smaller scale, providing a grand adventure for those who don’t have a lot of time in their schedule or don’t want to deal with the higher altitude found on Kilimanjaro.

But perhaps more importantly, it truly is a wonderful way to prepare for the larger challenges they’ll face on Kilimanjaro, taking some of the mystery and acclimatization processes out of the picture before ever stepping foot on the mountain. 

We offer Mount Meru 3-day or 4-day Climbs. However, clients from different parties and operators are often combined to walk with the armed ranger on the lower slopes.