Mt. Meru is located in the heart of Arusha National Park and it is 50 miles west of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mt. Meru is a massive volcano reaching 14,980 feet (4,565 meters). This trek serves as an ideal warm up for Mt. Kilimanjaro due to its altitude acclimatization and hiking distances. This trek is also geared towards hikers that prefer less crowds and a challenging ascent.
Because Mt. Meru is located in Arusha National Park, hikers must climb with an armed ranger due to the wide range of wildlife living on the mountain. On the lower slopes of the mountain, hikers are more likely to see elephants, giraffes, and buffalo! As hikers continue their ascents, the trail follows the north rim of the volcano’s crater along a dramatic ridge line. Throughout the climb, hikers sleep in designated huts along the trail. Hikers reach the summit as the sun is rising and they will have spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and of the Mt. Meru Crater.
Where is Arusha National Park/Mt Meru and How big is it?
Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town..
How to get to Mt Meru in Arusha National Park
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
What to do in Mt Meru
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
Three- or four-day Mt Meru climb – good acclimatization for Kilimanjaro.
When to Climb Mt Meru
To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.
Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.
Unlike Kilimanjaro, there is only one official route to the summit of Meru – the ‘Momella route’. Although there is a 3 day (8.7 mile) option, we discuss the longer, more popular 4 day (11.8 mile) climb. Generally we recommend climbing between June and February with December to February being the best months for clear views of Kilimanjaro.
Mount Meru is the best for acclimatization prior to Mount Kilimanjaro climb; The Mountain is the third highest peak in Africa and is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4,568m.
Momella Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) to Miriakamba Hut (2,515m/8,250ft); Elevation Gain: 1,015 meters, 3,330 feet; Hiking Time: Four to seven hours.
Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft) to Saddle Hut (3,570m, 11,710ft); Elevation Gain: 1,055 meters, 3,460 feet ; Hiking Time: Three to five hours.
After breakfast, leave Miriakamba and walk along flat land before entering the montane forest. Continue hiking until you reach a brief opening in the woods called Elephant Ridge. Arrive at Saddle Hut. The normal cloud cover of Arusha National Park burns off at about 3,200 meters. Saddle Hut lies at 3,570 meters.
The more energetic can summit Little Meru (3,820m) in the afternoon for breathtaking views of Meru and Kilimanjaro. The hike takes one to two hours round-trip. It does get cold on top of Little Meru so bring a jacket, gloves and a hat.
Saddle Hut is very similar to Miriakamba Hut, and is well-maintained, with separate facilities for mountain staff and tourists.
Saddle Hut (3,570m, 11,710ft) to Socialist Peak (4,566m/14,980ft) to Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft); Elevation Gain: 996 meters, 3,270 feet; Hiking Time: Ten hours. :
Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft) to Momella Gate (1,500m/4,920ft); Elevation Loss: 1,015 meters, 3,330 feet; Time: Two to three hours.
Descend to Momella Gate from Miriakamba Hut. The descent is fast unless it has rained recently. First pass through scrubland, then descend into the montane forest and finally into the open grassland. If the trail is wet, we recommend using the road to descend.
After reaching the gate, receive certificates for reaching the summits of Mount Meru and Little Meru. Thank your national park guide and mountain staff for the last time and return to Hotel in Moshi for hot shower, prepare for Kilimanjaro climbing.
Meru is a great preparation hike for climbing Kilimanjaro, or a spectacular trek for those not compelled to do Kilimanjaro. You will hike past wildlife, the landscape is spectacular, and sunrise on the summit has Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. While typically done in only 4 days, it is not an easy peak to summit. To reach the top, there is some scrambling on rocks in the dark and at high altitude. You should be prepared for at least 10 hours of hiking on summit day. For an easier hike, you can climb just to Rhino Point for sunrise, and then descend.
Momella Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) to Miriakamba Hut (2,515m/8,250ft); Elevation Gain: 1,015 meters, 3,330 feet; Hiking Time: Four to seven hours.
After breakfast, leave Miriakamba and walk along flat land before entering the montane forest. Continue hiking until you reach a brief opening in the woods called Elephant Ridge. Arrive at Saddle Hut. The normal cloud cover of Arusha National Park burns off at about 3,200 meters. Saddle Hut lies at 3,570 meters.
The more energetic can summit Little Meru (3,820m) in the afternoon for breathtaking views of Meru and Kilimanjaro. The hike takes one to two hours round-trip. It does get cold on top of Little Meru so bring a jacket, gloves and a hat.
Saddle Hut is very similar to Miriakamba Hut, and is well-maintained, with separate facilities for mountain staff and tourists.
Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft) to Saddle Hut (3,570m, 11,710ft); Elevation Gain: 1,055 meters, 3,460 feet ; Hiking Time: Three to five hours.
After breakfast, leave Miriakamba and walk along flat land before entering the montane forest. Continue hiking until you reach a brief opening in the woods called Elephant Ridge. Arrive at Saddle Hut. The normal cloud cover of Arusha National Park burns off at about 3,200 meters. Saddle Hut lies at 3,570 meters.
The more energetic can summit Little Meru (3,820m) in the afternoon for breathtaking views of Meru and Kilimanjaro. The hike takes one to two hours round-trip. It does get cold on top of Little Meru so bring a jacket, gloves and a hat.
Saddle Hut is very similar to Miriakamba Hut, and is well-maintained, with separate facilities for mountain staff and tourists.
We take the direct route down towards Momella through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. We should reach Momella Gate by late morning. Transfer back to Moshi, where trip concludes. (2-3 hours walking)
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