MT. MERU

Located in Arusha, Northern Tanzania and standing tall at 4565m/14980ft, Mt. Meru is rightfully considered as Mt. Kilimanjaro’s little brother. Set in the core of Arusha National Park, the second tallest peak in Tanzania is worth the trek, offering hikers with a beautiful landscape, with a wide range of vegetation full of wildlife freely roaming on the slopes.

Reaching the summit (Socialist Peak 4566m) takes from 3 to 4 days and so experienced hikers usually consider Mt. Meru hiking as a warm-up to help with acclimatization before climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro(5895m).

This inactive strato-volcano has rich slopes that rise above the surrounding savanna and sustain a forest that is home to a large wildlife population, including almost 400 bird species, as well as monkeys, giraffes, buffalos and leopards.

To ensure your safety while in the wilderness, an armed ranger will accompany your party on the first stage (Saddle Hut Camp) to protect you from wildlife dangers and to defend the animals too from potential poachers. The path then climbs the north side of Meru’s volcanic crater before reaching the true peak. The views from the top are spectacular, especially with Mt. Kilimanjaro shining in the distance.

WHY CLIMB MT. MERU?

1.Rarely Hiked by Crowds: Meru is significantly less famous than Kilimanjaro, in the highest season of tourism in Tanzania; Mt. Kilimanjaro usually gets most of the glory. This makes it a much better choice for hikers looking for secluded, peaceful trekking in the wilderness

2. Wildlife Experience: Centered within the heart of Arusha National Park, the wildlife on Meru’s slopes is abundant. Hikers are likely to come into contact with a variety of species, including buffaloes, antelopes, monkeys, giraffes, and, on rare occasions, elephants.

3. Excellent For Acclimatization: Mt. Meru is an excellent acclimatization destination since it provides a taste of what to anticipate on a larger peak such as Mt. Kilimanjaro. Meru at 4,565m, is a large peak in its own right, and it requires your body to acclimatize to the altitude. Note: It is your body’s adaptability to heights, not your physical strength and stamina, that is crucial for greater altitude hiking success.

4. Magnificent Views: The ascent provides beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro and animals in the lush rainforest, and the summit itself provides an outstanding scenic view, with Mount Kilimanjaro along with Kibo and Shira Plateau in the east, and the Great Rift Valley in the west.