Climbing Mount Meru, Tanzania: A Complete Guide
Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano in Arusha National Park, 70 Kilometres (43 miles) west of Mount Kilimanjaro in the country of Tanzania. It stands at a height of 4,566 meters (14,980 ft). Usually Mount Meru Climb takes 4 days however it may be done in 3 days to finish a trek to the Summit.
Depending on definition, it is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, and on a clear day it can be seen from Mount Kilimanjaro. Climb Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania fantastic with minimal traffic and amazing nature experience as you walk past wild animals.
Tanzania is known for mountaineering and while Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, gets much of the attention, there are other peaks worth hiking too. The most notable of these is Mount Meru, located a short distance west of Kilimanjaro and is an excellent warm-up journey for those with time and looking for an even bigger experience. Climbing Mount Meru is a big reward.
Climbing Mount Meru, Tanzania
Mount Meru is 4565 meters (14,980 feet) high which makes it a more accessible climb than Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s a terrific walk in its own way. Many trekkers use Mount Meru as an acclimatisation walk before starting their trip up Africa’s highest peak. This improves their odds of a successful summit on Kilimanjaro, and can shorten the number of days required to trek to the peak at Uhuru Peak.
Wildlife is more likely to be seen on the trail to Mount Meru, especially in the first few days of the trek. The first day of a trip is often accompanied by a ranger who ensures the trekking groups reach the first campsite safely.
The trail then winds up the north flank of Meru’s volcanic crater, before reaching the real summit itself. The views from the summit are superb, with Kilimanjaro tantalisingly visible in the distance.
Mount Meru Climb is usually a four day climb but can be done in 3 days to complete a journey to the top as even on this lower peak acclimatisation is the key to success. All groups of trekkers follow the same route up the mountain, starting at Momella Gate.
The hikers will be staying in a series of huts on the route to the top. There are two distinct campsites with modest but decent lodging before heading to the summit, which is located at a spot called Socialist Peak.
Travellers have two benefits of climbing Mount Meru. It lets trekkers get a taste of what it’s like to climb Kilimanjaro on a smaller scale, providing a great adventure for people who don’t have a lot of time in their schedule or don’t want to deal with the greater altitude found on Kilimanjaro.
But perhaps more crucially, it is a great method to prepare for the greater obstacles they will encounter on Kilimanjaro, removing part of the mystique and acclimatisation process from the equation before even setting foot on the mountain.
Kilimanjaro climb with Mount Meru 3 day or 4 day Climbs. However, clients from other parties and operators are regularly combined to walk with the armed ranger on the lower slopes.
Climbing Mount Meru Itinerary
Below we have given a 4-Days /3-Nights Meru climb but you may do it in 3-days/2-Nights which we do not recommend due to extensive walking distance from Miriakamba Hut to the Socialist Peak and back all the way to Momella Gate.
Day 1: Momella Gate (1500 m) – Miriakamba hut (2541m)
Walking Time: 4-6 Hours
Leaving early in the morning from your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi and driving to Momella gate in Arusha National Park. Driving takes about 3 hours from Moshi and about 1 hr from Arusha. At the gate you will clear your trekking permits, meet up with your porters, guide, cook and game ranger, and start climbing. You will pass open grassland which will give you a good opportunity to see buffaloes, warthogs and other grazers.
You will cross the Ngare Nanyuki River and continue your journey through mountain vegetation. Here you will have an opportunity to witness many different types of birds and black and white colobus monkeys. Finally you will arrive to Miriakamba Hut where you will stay overnight.
Day 2: Miriakamba hut (2541 m) – Saddle hut (3570 m)
Walking Time: 3-5 Hours
The second day of climbing is somewhat short yet challenging. You will start early in the morning and climb steeply through lush mountain forest alive with birds to get half way up Elephant Ridge. Here’s the crater over there. After 3 to 5 hours climbing you will arrive at Saddle Hut where you will have lunch.
Afternoon you will have another hike to Little Meru (3794m) for great views before sunset. Then it’s back to Saddle Hut for the nite. Sleeping early is good since you would have had adequate rest for the next day’s hiking.
Day 3: Saddle hut (3570 m) – Rhino point (3850 m) – Peak ( 4566 m) – Rhino Point (3850 m) – saddle hut (3570 m) – Miriakamba hut (2541 m)
Walking Time: 10-12 Hours
You will be ascending from 1 to 2 at nite The trail goes steeply up to Rhino Point (3850m) and then to the top by a very narrow ridge. You will reach the summit of mount meru, Socialist Peak, (4566 m) just at sun-rise.
The landscapes are beautiful, you will see Mount Kilimanjaro up close. After photographing the summit you will descend back to Saddle hut.
Note: Crossing the ridge between Rhino Point and the top is not always practicable in icy circumstances or when it is windy. Your guide will determine if conditions are not good enough to proceed.
Day 4 : Miriakamba hut (2541 m) – Momella gate (1500 m)
Walking Time: 2-5 Hours
You will leave about 8.00 am and drive down to the Momella gate. You can go the long way or the short way. On the longer walk down you have extremely good chances to see wildlife and the ash cone. Once you’ve passed the gate it’s time to tip your porters, guide, cook and game ranger. Your transport back to Moshi will be waiting for you then.
Mount Meru Climbing Safety
Be upfront and honest to us at all time. We are on the same team and we have the same aim, to get to the top and come back down securely and comfortably.
Never pretend to be well when you are not before or during climb.
Before you try the mountain, make sure you are in good physical and mental condition. A medical check-up before any ascent is strongly recommended.
Most people will have moderate symptoms of altitude sickness. The guide is trained to recognise and deal with altitude sickness but you should also learn about the symptoms and prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Sickness (HAS), High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE).
If you have any signs of AMS, your guide will tell you to get down immediately as this is the treatment on Mt. Meru.