Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located 70 kilometers (43 mi) west of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. At a height of 4,562.13 meters (14,968 ft), it is the fifth highest mountain in Africa, depending on definition. Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. Its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savannah and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds.
You’ll start from Momella Gate {1’500 m} in the late morning. The track soon passes some open grassland where you’ll have some wildlife viewing. You can see buffalos, warthogs, elephants, etc. Then, you’ll continue as a steady climb through the montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are a lot of birds and monkeys including the black and white Colobus. By mid-afternoon, there are the first closer views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakamba hut (2’514 m), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. It takes about 4 to 6 hours walking. The ascent is 1’014 m.
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep sustained climbing all the way. Starting through attractive, open, and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach saddle hut {3’570 m} and lunch. The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. Energetic ones can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru {3’820 m} for superb views just before sunset. It takes about 3 – 5 hours walking. The ascent is 1’056 m. Saddle hut is similar to Miriakamba but water is collected from a stream about 10 minutes away. The path is a little exposed as it traverses the rocky ridge, with fine views across into Kenya and the Maasai Hills. The summit is reached after 5–6 hours. The descent follows the way up (it is tempting to go down the other ridge to make a traverse, but this is strictly forbidden).
You’ll have an early start at around 2:00 pm to climb steeply to Rhino Point.
At {3’800 m}, the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point {4’350 m.} At around sunrise, the views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley if the weather is clear. The summit of Socialist Pak {4’566 m} is an hour more on a superb but often steep path. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa.
You’ll have a fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the national park. Momella Gate is reached by late morning. It takes about 2 to 3 hours walking. The descent is 1’014 m.