Mount Meru

Mount Meru is the first sight you can see when reaching Arusha town. The mountain is with its 4,566 m (14,990 feet) Tanzania's second highest peak after Mount Kilimanjaro. and the fifth highest in Africa. The mountain has two peaks: Meru Summit, the highest point, and Ash Cone, an additional peak inside the crater which was formed after a more recent volcanic activity. On clear days one can see Great Rift Valley and Kitumbeini and Gelai volcanoes in the western part, and in the east its neighbor Mount Kilimanjaro. with Kibo and Shira Plateau.

The climb to Mount Meru is a rewarding experience
You first pass through a savannah where you have the possibility to spot buffaloes and giraffes. At the lower slopes of Mount Meru you can find parkland, grassland and a rainforest with red-hot pokers and Spanish moss. The giant heather zone and the moorlands are forested by giant lobelias. Close to the summit you can spot everlasting flowers in this alpine desert. The way up to the summit is through a narrow and barren ridge. At the summit you can have amazing views of the Ash Cone inside the crater. While the best choice to explore Mount Meru is by climbing it up to Meru Summit, you can also spend your time at the mountain and its surrounding with different activities such as a walking safari in the national park, canoeing in the Small Momella Lake, bird watching or even game-viewing.

Why Climb Mount Meru?
With its incredible views, scenery and wildlife, Mount Meru is often overlooked due to its close location to the far more popular peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.
But there are three main reasons why we think climbing Mount Meru is a great idea.
1. Walk with wildlife
Lying within Arusha National Park, the lower reaches of Mount Meru are amazingly rich in wildlife. You are almost certain to see monkeys, warthogs, buffaloes and a wide array of birds and, if you’re lucky, elephants and giraffes!
Because of the abundance of wildlife on and around Meru, it is compulsory to be accompanied by an armed ranger on your trek at all times.
2. Excellent acclimatization for Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mt Meru offers a great way to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro as it gives you a little taster as to what to expect on the bigger mountain.
Most importantly though is that Mt Meru can help you acclimatize for Mount Kilimanjaro. In fact, people who attempt speed ascents on Kilimanjaro, almost always acclimatize on Mt Meru.
Do not underestimate Mount Meru though. It is certainly high enough to bring on altitude sickness.
At a height of 4,566m, Meru is a tall mountain in its own right and forces your body to make changes to adapt to the altitude.
3. No Crowds on Mt Meru
Another bonus of climbing Mount Meru is the lack of crowds that can sometimes plague Mount Kilimanjaro. As its little known brother, Mt Meru is a fantastic way to avoid this and get stuck into a peaceful trek.
When should I climb Mount Meru?
Generally we recommend hiking between June and February. March, April and May are best avoided as these are rainy months in Tanzania.