Mount Meru Climbing

Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania, a young, historically active but primarily dormant volcano, is almost 45 miles (72 kilometers) from the western part of Mount Kilimanjaro on the edge of the Great African Rift Valley. At 4566 meters (14,980 feet), it is often used as an acclimatizing mountain hiking prelude to a Kilimanjaro climbing challenge with Uhuru Trails by BookmySafary.com. It was once much higher but exploded outwards more than five hundred thousand years ago to leave a horse-shoe shaped crater wall of amazingly steep cliffs and a central ash cone where minor eruptions have occurred. The last was just over a hundred years ago. You may climb the ash cone only with special permission. Some people consider Mount Meru even more beautiful than Kilimanjaro in the midst its flora, fauna and the Momella Lakes close to its foot. Certainly, it is less frequented and contains a wider range of wildlife. As the centerpiece of Arusha National Park, the ash cone and crater rim of Mount Meru are within the protected area, but there are small farms and Maasai herdsmen graze their flocks on the lower forested slopes and surrounding savannah. For the indigenous people of Arusha (the Warusha) and Meru (Wameru), Mount Meru is the home of the rain god, with its life-giving mists, rivers, waterfalls and rich, ash-fertile soil. Today, there is the danger of over-farming as agri-business encourages land-clearing for the large-scale production of tomatoes. Local tourist initiatives offer hope for sustainable management of this fantastic mountain environment for the benefit of its people and its prolific bird and mammal populations.

As a stand-alone East African adventure destination, Mount Meru offers a worthwhile and satisfying trekking challenge (view climb itinerary) with its own certificate of achievement for those who reach one of the two summits. Admittedly, it is less grueling than Kilimanjaro, a shorter climb with less danger of severe altitude sickness, more suitable for hill walkers and hikers who want to savor a wilderness atmosphere on their Tanzanian highlands vacation and for whom the beauty of Meru with its spectacular views and fascinating wildlife is more satisfying than the better-known tourist magnet. The high, narrow crater rim can be dangerous in certain conditions of high winds or ice and is not suitable for sufferers from vertigo, but you can still acclimatize in preparation for climbing Kilimanjaro by enjoying a less demanding trekking tour of Mount Meru, appreciating the peace and beauty without attempting the main summit. The views of Kilimanjaro at dawn are as beautiful from Rhino Point (3800 meters) as from Socialist Peak (4566 meters), a few hours further on. With few visitors to disturb the wildlife, the mountain is alive with birds and animals. On the surrounding savannah, you will see zebra and buffalo, the latter wandering, surprisingly, up to around 4000 meters.

You will not only see lions on or around Mount Meru or even while on a game driving terrestrial tour of Arusha National Park, but the sight of a running Maasai giraffe, like a long-necked horse against the skyline, is eerily commonplace. There are also elusive but also rare cheetah and leopard, so you are generally not advised to wander alone. You will certainly see handsome black and white caped Colobus monkeys and short-furred Sykes monkeys resting on tree branches. Because of the prevalence of potentially dangerous wildlife, you will be accompanied by an armed park ranger. The best times to climb Mount Meru are from June through February, with the best views from December to March. You will not need any special equipment except stout boots, walking poles, and wet weather gear, especially in November, with warmer clothing at higher altitudes, but the climb is demanding and you need to be healthy and fit. We do not recommend climbing it during the long rains of April and May, though it is possible. Mount Meru is not just visited as a prelude to a Kilimanjaro climb, but serves as a focus for a Tanzanian tour of Arusha Park, with trips to Momella Lakes for canoeing and bird watching, or game drives to the less frequented Ngurdoto Crater: a miniature version of Ngorongoro Crater. From Buffalo Point on the crater wall, you can view animals undisturbed by man.