MT KILIMANJARO TREKKING ROUTES - AFRICAN BUSH TOURS

MOUNT MERU TREKKING

Mt Meru is the fifth highest mountain in Africa (depending on your definition). Its rim lined crater extends down 1,500 meters to the crater floor making it one of the tallest cliffs in Africa.
Mount Meru is located in north eastern Tanzania. Mount Meru is one of Africa’s best trekking routes due to the incredible views from its crater.
Like Kilimanjaro, Meru is an active volcano, but its last minor eruption was over a century ago in 1910. Millions of years ago a major eruption blew off the top of the volcano, giving it a horseshoe shape. Its summit collapsed around 7,800 years ago and much of the volcano’s bulk was lost.
It was first summited in the early 20th century by German explorers during their colonisation of East Africa, although it is disputed whether the first successful expedition was led by Carl Uhlig in 1901 or Fritz Jaeger in 1904.
The mountain is sometimes confused with Meru Peak, a mountain in the Himalayas. However, Mount Meru in Tanzania is a safer climb, and it offers an attainable challenge for trekking enthusiasts.

What are the Mount Meru Hiking Routes?

Unlike Mount Kilimanjaro, there is only one official route to the summit of Meru – the ‘Momella route’
Although there is a 3 day (8.7 mile) option, we discuss the longer and more common 4 day (11.8 mile) Mount Meru hike below.

Mount Meru route Itinerary

Day 1 – Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut
Elevation – 1500m to 2500m
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Habitat – Montane Forest
Most tour operators will collect you from your hotel in the morning and take you to Arusha National Park. Once at headquarters your papers, visa and permits will all be checked and made ready for departure. From head office you will be taken by van to the Momella Park Gate from where your trek will begin. The trail starts by winding its way through montane forest where you will see waterfalls, wildlife and some pretty oddly formed trees! Remember, an armed national park ranger will accompany you on your route. The first day of trekking will end when you reach Miriakamba hut. Unlike Kilimanjaro, accommodation on Meru consists of huts dotted up the mountain.

Day 2 – Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Elevation – 2500m to 3550m
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Habitat – Moorland On the second day you will ascend over a 1000m to Saddle Hut at 3,550m. The air will get cooler and you may feel slightly more out of breath as the air gets thinner. Saddle Hut will be reached by early afternoon which will give you time to visit ‘Little Meru’ at 3,820m. Not only will you get great views of Kilimanjaro, but it’s a good way for your body to acclimatise to the altitude.

Day 3 – Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Miriakamba Hut
Elevation – 3550m to 4256m to 2500m
Time: 8 – 10 hours
Habitat – Semi Desert, Alpine Desert, Montane Forest
Your summit ascent begins in the middle of the night at 2am. Following a quick midnight snack you trek to 3,820m where you find Rhino Point. After a quick break you then climb a further 4-5 hours where, towards the top, you will traverse the exhilarating and very narrow crater rim path! This is all rewarded as you hit the summit just before sunrise. The 360 degree views are spectacular, especially the sun rising over Kilimanjaro! Before you descend, you can explore Meru’s ash cone within the crater.

Day 4 – Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate
Elevation – 2500m to 1500m
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Habitat – Montane Forest
The fourth day is an easy going few hours down through the montane forest area where you will once again see wildlife and beautiful habitat. Seeing the forest from above is a completely different experience to seeing it on the way up – look out for birds!