Mount Meru

Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain of the African continent and the second highest in Tanzania with an elevation of 4,566 m above sea level. The mountain dominates the ecosystem of Arusha National Park and from the top you can observe the astonishing snowy peak of Kilimanjaro.

Arounf 250.000 year ago, a massive volcanic eruption wiped out the entire eastern side of the mountain, significantly changing its appearance that distinguishes it nowadays. Indeed, while to the north, west and south it descends on regular slopes to the east it opens into a horseshoe-shaped caldera delimited by a cliff. Moreover, on the sides of the mountain it is possible to distinguish several volcanic cones.

Mount Meru: trekking

Climbing Mount Meru takes 4 days, of whom three for the ascent and one for the descent. During the climb you will pass through different greenery areas. The dry forest of the lower region turns into a dense rainforest, which makes promptly way to the moor. Getting towards the peak, the alpine terrain prevail, with only small vegetation areas.

The wildlife that is on the slopes tends to change with each variation of habitat. During the climb, you will come across giraffes, buffaloes, baboons, colobus monkeys and antelopes. For safety reasons, it is mandatory to be accompanied by an armed park ranger during the tour.

You don’t have to be a climber or an athlete to be able to climb Mount Meru, but you need to be in shape. The ascent is physically less demanding than that of Kilimanjaro, but it is technically more demanding due to some unsecured climbing routes.

The best time for climbing is between between late June and mid-October and although it is possible to climb Mount Meru all year round, we strongly discourage anyone from doing it in the period of heavy rains from March to June.