Mount Meru is Tanzania’s secondhighest peak and one of Africa’s most breathtaking climbs. Located within Arusha National Park, it offers an extraordinary combination of lush montane forests, dramatic ridgelines, and sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro, just 70 kilometers away.
Mount Meru is rich in wildlife including giraffes, buffalos, and colobus monkeys which can often be seen right along the trail. With far fewer trekkers than Kilimanjaro, this 4day hike offers a more intimate, peaceful experience, crowned by unforgettable sunrises from the summit at 4,566 meters (14,980 feet).
While some hikers attempt Mount Meru as an acclimatization trek for Kilimanjaro, we do not recommend this. Mount Meru’s steep terrain and significant daily altitude gain often exceeding 1,000 meters make it more demanding than expected. Instead. For those preparing for Kilimanjaro, the best acclimatization comes from hypoxic training at home or choosing an 8day Kilimanjaro route to ensure a safer and more successful summit. Accommodation along the trail is in simple but comfortable mountain huts, located at two campsites before the final summit push. These offer a warm place to rest and prepare for each day’s adventure.
START – 4,922FT / 1500M END – 8,248FT / 2514M
DISTANCE – 9 MILES / 14KM TIME – 68
HRSCLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
In the morning you are collected from your hotel and
transferred to Arusha National Park. At the Momella
Gate we complete registration formalities before
setting off with your guide and armed ranger there is
abundant wildlife in the forests! The forest section is
especially scenic with strangler figs and the possibility
of seeing buffalo grazing in one of the clearings. In the
late afternoon you reach a viewpoint before heading
on to Miriakamba Hut for dinner
START – 8,248FT / 2514M END – 11,713 / 3570M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 6KM TIME – 45 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
You set off from Miriakamba Hut, initially still in the
forest zone, but in a few hours as you reach Saddle
Hut for lunch in the alpine desert zone. In the
afternoon a walk to the summit of Little Meru (Alt:
12,532ft, 3820m) can be taken for stunning views
before heading back to Saddle Hut for dinner.
START – 11,713FT / 3570M END – 8,248FT / 2514M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM TIME – 12 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT /
AFROMONTANE FOREST
You rise early and your hard work is rewarded at dawn
as the sun rises to the East. Kilimanjaro is normally
clearly seen from here and the sheer cliffs of the crater
fall dramatically 1000 feet or more. After taking photos
at Socialist Peak (Alt: 14,978ft, 4,565m) you return to
our base camp at Saddle Hut. After some brunch, you
continue down to Miriakamba Hut for dinner.
START – 8,248FT / 2514M END – 4,922FT / 1500M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM TIME – 34 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
The shorter final section takes up to 4 hours to return
to our vehicles where you say farewell to our crew and
have time for a short picnic
lunch and game drive before returning to Arusha for a
well deserved shower!
Free Kilimanjaro Packing List with gear necessary for the hike and recommendations from African Wilderness Adventures experts.
