Overview

A Mountain Worth Climbing on Its Own

Mount Meru is Tanzania's second-highest peak at 4,566m (14,980ft), and one I think gets overlooked far too often, most people only know it as a Kilimanjaro warm-up. It sits inside Arusha National Park, so the first stage of the climb doubles as a walking safari: expect to see giraffe, zebra, buffalo and antelope, and quite possibly elephant, with an armed ranger required at your side by park rules. You'll pass waterfalls and dense forest before the trail opens onto a dramatic ridgeline along the crater rim, and accommodation the whole way is in simple wood huts rather than tents.

Whether you're using it to acclimatize before Kilimanjaro or climbing it in its own right, don't underestimate it: the altitude is real enough that sickness can come into play, and Arusha's weather can turn to heavy rain without much warning. Get it right, though, and you're rewarded with a sunrise view across the Meru crater and Ash Tray, and on a clear day, Kilimanjaro itself standing across the plain. None of the crowds that can build up on Kilimanjaro exist here, it's a quiet, solitary climb.

Map of the Mount Meru route to Socialist Peak

The Mount Meru Route · 3 Days 1,500m → 4,566m Socialist Peak

Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 0

Arrive in Tanzania

You'll be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Arusha. I'll meet you there to brief you on the days ahead, then you'll rest before an early start the next morning.

Day 1

Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut

Elevation: 1,500m → 2,500m
Distance: 10km / 6.2mi
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

After an early breakfast, you're picked up and driven to Momella Gate in Arusha National Park, where porters organize the gear while you and your guide register with the park authority (TANAPA). The first day of hiking feels like a walking safari, giraffe, zebra, antelope and buffalo are all common along the trail, and elephant sightings aren't unheard of. Because of that, an armed ranger, hired through the park, is required to accompany the team for the day. Along the way you'll pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a waterfall at the base of the mountain before reaching Miriakamba Hut (2,500m), where a hot dinner and washing water are waiting.

Day 2

Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

Elevation: 2,500m → 3,570m
Distance: 8km / 5mi
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Heath

After breakfast, the trail climbs steeply along the ridge of the saddle, with views over Meru's crater and the Ash Tray inside it, and there's a good chance of more wildlife along the way. Once at camp you have the option of an extra acclimatization hike up Little Mount Meru (3,820m) with your guide. Dinner is served early so you can get real rest before the midnight summit attempt.

Day 3

Summit Day: Saddle Hut to the Summit to Momella Gate

Elevation: 3,570m → 4,566m → 1,500m
Distance: 26km / 16.2mi
Hiking Time: 9 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

You'll be woken at 00:30 for tea and biscuits before setting off at 1:30am on a steep grade toward Rhino Point (3,800m), then Cobra Point (4,350m). In the final hour you'll scramble along a narrow, rocky ridge between the crater and Meru's inner cliffs before reaching the summit (4,566m) at sunrise, with views across the Ash Tray and, on a clear day, Kilimanjaro itself. After taking it in, you'll descend to Saddle Hut for lunch, then continue down to Momella Gate, where the vehicle is waiting to take you back to Arusha or Moshi.

Price