Climbing Mount Meru: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Situated in northern Tanzania, Mount Meru rises high above the surrounding forests and serengeti. At 4,562 meters in elevation, Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania and the fifth highest in all of Africa.

Conveniently located just 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Kilimanjaro, the peak attracts mountain climbers for its own merits as well as serving as a warm up for one of the world’s Seven Summits.

The journey to the top of the peak tends to take three to four days and begins by driving into Arusha National Park via the Momela Gate. After arriving at the trailhead, an armed range accompanies climbers along the first portion of the journey, to protect them from predatory wildlife found in the park!

After five to six hours, climbers arrive at Meriakamba Hut. The next day is spent ascending to Saddle Hut, usually with a brief diversion to the summit of Little Meru to see the sunset.

The final day is summit day. After getting a pre-dawen start, climbers will trek past Rhino Point (3,800 meter/12,500 feet) and on to Cobra Point (4,350 meters/14,300 feet), where they will see the sunrise over the plains of East Africa. The rest of the day is spent hiking back down to the gate or Miriakamba hut.

Stunning scenery

Situated where the immense serengeti meets some of the region’s tropical forests, Mount Meru boasts plenty of incredible scenery. Starting with a beautiful approach through a montane forest, this verdant part of the climb soon gives way to a volcanic landscape, full of craters, small cones and a 2.2 mile (3.5 kilometer) wide caldera.

Acclimatize for Kilimanjaro

Reaching a lofty 4,562 meters in elevation and taking between three and four days to climb, Mount Meru is the perfect challenge for mountaineers planning to climb Kilimanjaro – the highest peak in Africa – next. Heading to the summit of Meru will get you used to the immense change in altitude as well as give you a taste of some of the terrain over which you’ll have to climb in Kilimanjaro too.

**Explore the national park **

Either before or after you make it up to the summit of Mount Meru, take some time to explore the incredible Arusha National Park, of which it is the centerpiece. The park is home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, including giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingo, elephant, bushbuck and even leopards.

Since Mount Meru sits so close to the equator, there are only two seasons: wet and dry. The best time to climb is in the dry seasons when average temperatures are around 20 ºC (68 ºF) and rain is infrequent.

Any trip to Mount Meru likely begins with a flight into Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). Most guides will opt to meet you here and provide transport to the start of the trip.

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