Mount Meru is the second
highest mountain in Tanzania at 4,5685m and the fifth highest in Africa.
It is best to allow three days for since it involves a 3,500m altitude trek.
There are two huts available to climbers on the mountain and firewood is
supplied. The best time to climb Meru is between October and February. The
mountain is usually climbed from Olkokola on the western side of the crater
and you need a park ranger as an escort due to the threat of buffalo.
Meru: 4 days/ 3 nights
DAY 1:
Breakfast, drive from your hotel to the park gate, game drive en-route. Walk
with a Park Ranger through game filled parkland up to Miriakamba hut, at
8,100ft. B.L.D.
DAY 2:
Breakfast, Leave Miriakamba for Saddle hut, at 11,480ft passing through the
forest. B.L.D.
DAY 3:
Wake up at midnight, and after a snack, proceed to the summit through the
viewpoint of crater rim. Descend to the gate, and the waiting car will take
you back to your hotel in Arusha. B.L.D
DAY 4:
Proceed with Kilimanjaro Climb or Tanzania safari. Kili Explorer Team
will organise this if you request.
Distance Time (Approx.)Park
gate-Miriakamba : 4-5hrs
Miriakamba-Saddle hut : 3-4hours
Saddle hut-Summit : 4-6hours
Summit-Gate : 5-7hourSMeru Trek: 5days/4nightsDay 01 – Arusha:
Whenever you arrive, you’ll be personally met and transferred to a lovely
hotel in the foothills of Mt. Meru, Africa’s 5th highest mountain. Those
arriving especially early can book optional activities. Then, spend the
afternoon with your mountain guide preparing for the climb.
Day 02 – Mount – Forest:
We collect our guests from their hotel in Arusha and drive to Momella gate
(1,500m) where the trekking begins. We follow the track through the forest
and through the wild fig tree arch to a small clearing where we may see
buffalo grazing and then continue across the Jekukumia River and on to Njeku
viewpoint where we have lunch and see the Momella lakes and the plains
beyond. Return to the track and continue to Miriakamba Hut for our evening
meal and overnight stay. (Full board)
Day 03 – Mount Meru – Saddle:
After breakfast we walk through the glades and forest filled with black and
white Colobus monkeys, to Mgongo wa Tembo (Elephant Ridge). We reach Saddle
hut 3-4hrs later and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon continue to the summit of
Little Meru for impressive views of the crater and the top of the ash cone
and sheer cliffs of the crater’s inner wall. Our evening meal and overnight
will be at Saddle Hut. (Full board)
Day 04 – Mount Meru Summit – Miriakamba:
Rise early and walk along the very narrow ridge to the summit (4,566m)
watching the sun rise dramatically from behind Kilimanjaro. The return via
Rhino point provides spectacular views of the Rift Valley, the volcanoes of
Kirumbeni and Lengai and the town of Arusha. Our evening meal and overnight
stay will be at Miriakamba Hut. (10-12hrs). (Full board)
Day 05 – Arusha National Park / Arusha:
On our final day on the mountain, return to Momella Gate (2 hrs) where our
vehicle will be waiting. We will then have a game drive in Arusha National
Park and a picnic lunch before we return to Arusha town to connect with
onward arrangements required. (Breakfast and lunch only)
Day 6
– Out:
You will be privately transferred to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airports for your
departure. But don’t go yet! Consider our Kilimanjaro Machame Hike which
starts today (discounts apply). Kili Explorer Team will arrange your
trip.
