Mountain Meru Trek and Hiking Tours, Tanzania Wildlife and Cultural Safaris

Exploding into life over 7,800 years ago, Meru’s horseshoe rim is very distinctive as the explosion blew the entire eastern flank apart. Mount Meru most recently had a minor eruption in 1910. The several small cones and craters seen in the vicinity probably reflect numerous episodes of volcanic activity and have a caldera that is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) wide. Though often considered a warm-up for a Kilimanjaro hike, Mount Meru by right is a stunning mountain to climb, standing at 4,566m high, and serves as a great stand-alone hike in its own right.

Also even though standing over 1000 meters less than Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is an incredible free-standing volcano that offers beautiful scenic views and wildlife sightings, and has less traffic. Many trekkers choose to use Mount Meru as an acclimation hike before starting their trek up Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro.

 

Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. Its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that inhabits diverse wildlife, and visitors to Mount Meru are more likely to spot wildlife including nearly 400 species of birds, and mammals such as warthogs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, monkeys, and leopards among others. 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 4 days, but it can be done in 3 days to complete a trek to the top, as even on this lower peak, acclimatization is the key to success. All trekking groups take the same route up the mountain, which begins at Momella Gate on the eastern side of the Mountain.

 

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, which is located at Socialist Peak. The 4 days / 3 nights Meru climb can be summarized below;

 

DAY 1: MOMELLA GATE (1500 M) –MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,541 M)WALKING TIME: 4-6 HOURS

Visitors arrive early morning at Momella gate in Arusha National Park. At the gate visitors clear their trekking permits, meet up with porters, guides, cooks, and game rangers, and start climbing. Tourists pass through open grasslands, which gives them a good opportunity to see wildlife animals such as buffaloes, warthogs, and others. They then cross the Ngare Nanyuki River and continue climbing through the mountain forest where they enjoy birding, and also see black and white colobus monkeys, and finally reach Miriakamba Hut for an overnight rest.

 

DAY 2: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2541 M) – SADDLE HUT (3,570 M)WALKING TIME: 3-5 HOURS

The second day of climbing is quite short but demanding. Hikers ascent steeply through lush mountain forests full of birds to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. There they can see the crater. After 3 to 5 hours of climbing, they reach Saddle Hut where lunch is served. In the afternoon hikers ascend to Little Meru (3,794 m) for superb views before sunset. Then return to Saddle Hut overnight.

 

DAY 3: SADDLE HUT (3570 M) – RHINO POINT (3,850 M) – PEAK (4,566 M) – RHINO POINT (3,850 M) – SADDLE HUT (3,570 M) – MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,541 M) WALKING TIME: 10-12 HOURS

This route takes off at night and is very steep towards Rhino Point (3,850 m) and from there towards the summit along a very narrow ridge. Visitors finally reach Mount Meru summit, Socialist Peak, (4,566 m) right at sunrise. Here visitors enjoy stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro in close distance. After taking photos on the summit, visitors descend back to Saddle Hut. On icy conditions or strong wind, it's advisable not to pass the ridge between Rhino Point and the summit, and the guide will decide if the conditions are not good enough to continue.

 

DAY 4: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,541 M) – MOMELLA GATE (1,500 M)WALKING TIME: 2-5 HOURS

Hikers leave about at 8.00 in the morning and descend to Momella gate. One can choose a longer or shorter route. On the long way down, visitors have a chance to see wildlife and the ash cone. Even with its incredible views, scenery, and wildlife, Mount Meru is often overlooked due to its close location to the far more famous peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

But there are three main reasons why climbing Mount Meru is a great idea; Visitors get an opportunity to do a walking safari with wildlife while hiking a major African peak. Lying within Arusha National Park, the lower reaches of Mount Meru are amazingly rich in wildlife including monkeys, warthogs, buffaloes, and a wide array of birds and, if lucky, elephants and giraffes as well, well accompanied by an armed ranger on the trek at all times.

 

Mount Meru offers excellent acclimatization for Mount Kilimanjaro. People who attempt speed ascents on Kilimanjaro, almost always acclimatize on Mt Meru. At a height of 4,566m, Meru is a tall mountain in its own right and forces your body to make changes to adapt to the altitude. Similar to Kilimanjaro, you trek the summit at night, reaching the peak just before sunrise. You then descend an amazing 2,000m on the same day! All these similarities allow your body (and your mind) to prepare for Kilimanjaro.

 

Another bonus of climbing Mount Meru is the lack of traffic that can sometimes plague Mount Kilimanjaro. As its little-known brother, Mt Meru is a fantastic way to avoid this and get stuck on a peaceful trek.

 

Arrange with Ultimate Wild Safaris for a memorable hike of Mount Meru in Tanzania.

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