Mount Meru | Arusha

Mount Meru – A Majestic Trekking Adventure

Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, standing at 4,566 meters (14,980 feet) and located within the Arusha National Park. While Mount Kilimanjaro often steals the spotlight, Mount Meru is a challenging and rewarding trekking destination in its own right. Its pristine environment, diverse landscapes, and rich wildlife make it a favorite for hikers looking for an adventure that is less crowded but equally breathtaking.

Quick Facts

• Height: 4,566 meters (14,980 feet) above sea level
• Location: Arusha National Park, northeastern Tanzania
• Type of Volcano: Active stratovolcano (last eruption around 1910)
• Best Time to Visit: June to October (dry season) for optimal hiking conditions
• Trekking Duration: Typically takes 4 to 5 days to summit
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (due to altitude and terrain)

What to Expect

1. Trekking Mount Meru – The Route

• The trekking route to the summit of Mount Meru is a 5-day hike, which offers stunning landscapes and opportunities to experience diverse ecosystems.
• The main route, called the Momella Route, starts at the Momella Gate and passes through various vegetation zones, including rainforests, savannah, and moorland.
• The hike is typically divided into four camps:
  • Miriakamba Hut: The first stop after a half-day hike, offering basic accommodation and scenic views.
  • Saddle Hut: This is the base camp for summit day, where hikers rest before the final ascent.
  • Summit Day: The trek to the summit starts early in the morning, with a challenging ascent to the top.

2. Scenic Views

• Along the way, trekkers are treated to awe-inspiring views of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the surrounding landscapes.
• The Saddle Hut provides great views of the Ash Cone (a smaller cone within the crater) and the surrounding crater rim.
• From the summit, the panoramic vistas are simply breathtaking, with views of the caldera, the surrounding valleys, and the African plains stretching for miles.

3. Wildlife and Flora

• Mount Meru is located within Arusha National Park, so trekkers may encounter various wildlife species, especially during the lower sections of the trek.
• Wildlife sightings include buffaloes, giraffes, monkeys (especially blue monkeys and colobus monkeys), and a variety of bird species.
• The flora is equally diverse, with tropical forests at the base of the mountain, alpine meadows, and moorlands at higher elevations. The lower reaches are covered by dense montane forests, while the upper reaches have stunning giant groundsels and lobelias.

4. The Summit – A Rewarding Challenge

• The final ascent to the summit is strenuous, but the views from the top make it worth the effort.
• The summit is marked by the Crater Rim and offers stunning views of the Ash Cone inside the crater, which is a geothermal feature.
• Depending on the weather, trekkers may have the opportunity to view Mount Kilimanjaro to the southeast, making for a truly unforgettable experience.

5. Accommodation and Facilities

• Momella Gate: The starting point of the trek, where trekkers register and prepare for the hike.
• Miriakamba Hut: Basic dormitory-style accommodation.
• Saddle Hut: Basic huts that provide a place to rest before summit day.
• Camping: Some trekkers opt for camping at various points along the trek for a more rustic experience.

6. Trekking Experience

• Guides and Porters: All trekkers are required to go with a registered guide, and hiring porters to carry equipment is common. The guides are highly knowledgeable about the mountain’s ecology, history, and the best trekking routes.
• The trek is considered moderate to challenging, with significant elevation gain. It is less trafficked than Kilimanjaro, so visitors enjoy a more peaceful and solitary hiking experience.

Why Trek Mount Meru?

• Less Crowded Than Kilimanjaro: Mount Meru offers a quieter, more intimate trekking experience compared to the more popular Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Scenic Variety: The trek offers diverse landscapes, including forests, grasslands, volcanic craters, and alpine meadows.
• Wildlife Sightings: The park is rich in wildlife, offering a unique opportunity to combine trekking with game viewing.
• Physical Challenge: It provides an excellent challenge for hikers looking for something more strenuous than a regular hike but less demanding than Kilimanjaro.
• Acclimatization for Kilimanjaro: Many trekkers use Mount Meru as a way to acclimatize for an upcoming trek to Mount Kilimanjaro.

How to Get There

• By Car: Mount Meru is about 30 kilometers from Arusha, and the Momella Gate is easily accessible from the city.
• By Air: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the nearest major airport, approximately 1.5 hours by car from the trailhead.

Tips for Trekking Mount Meru

• Acclimatize to the Altitude: While not as high as Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru’s altitude still requires some acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness.
• Dress in Layers: The weather can change rapidly, and the summit can be cold even during the day.
• Hire a Guide and Porters: The park requires trekkers to be accompanied by a guide, and porters can help carry supplies.
• Pack Properly: Ensure you have suitable trekking boots, warm clothing, water bottles, and snacks for the hike.