Mt. Meru Trekking
The trek to the top of Mount Meru takes 3 to 4 days, and with our two trekking options you can decide whether you would like to tackle Meru at a fast or slightly slower pace.
Centered in the heart of Arusha National Park, Meru watches over the park’s impressive flora and fauna, as well as the nearby city of Arusha. Mount Meru’s fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savannah and are home to a variety of wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, but also buffalos, leopards, giraffes, and different species of monkeys, such as baboons and colobus monkeys. The opportunity for spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is of particular appeal for anyone considering Mount Meru trekking tours, and, for your own safety trekkers will be accompanied by armed rangers at all times just in case the wildlife comes a little too close.
Best Time to Take a Mount Meru Trekking
Mount Meru can be trekked all year around, though the best time to tackle this mountain is during the dry season, from June to the beginning of March. If you’re considering Mount Meru trekking during November or December you should expect occasional rains during these months. For the best views of the snow-capped rooftop of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, we recommend planning your Meru trek for January or February.
Trekking Itinerary
You will be picked up from Arusha and transfer to Momella Gate, the start point of Mount Meru climb. The track soon passes open grassland, where there is a good chance of seeing buffalo, abundance of birds, warthogs, and monkeys. The black and white colobus monkeys are particularly fascinating to watch.
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short but steep climb. You will walk through beautiful, lush montane forest to reach Elephant Ridge, the halfway point. This has excellent views of the summit ridge and across most of the crater floor. During the break, you might spot elephants or other animals from your vantage point.
You will begin with an early start to climb steeply to Rhino Point, and then continue along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point arriving at around sunrise. The summit of Socialist Peak is another hour further along a steep but spectacular path. On a clear day, the views are absolutely rewarding. The route back to mountain hut Point.
● Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi
● Approx. time taken: 9 hours
● Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
You will take the direct route down towards Momella through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife once again. This trail has an excellent view back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. You should reach Momella Gate by late morning and meet your waiting transport back to your hotel in Arusha.
end of safari
- 4 Days
- 5 - 20+ PAx
Mount Meru Climbing
It is among the most breathtaking walks you can take in Tanzania.
North of Arusha in Tanzania, Mount Meru is an active (albeit dormant) volcano. It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and the fourth-highest mountain in all of Africa at 4562 meters. Mt. Meru has become a well-liked “warm-up” journey for climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro because it is only 70 km away from the mountain.
