Mountain Meru is the third highest peak in Africa and is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4,568m. The mountain is located within Arusha National Park, Tanzania’s gem. This prime location gives trekkers the chance to spot some of wildlife that inhabits the area. The ascend is quite steep, the route to the summit passes over streams, through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. The summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge, which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater.
Start from Momella Gate (Mount-Meru-Trekk-1,500m/4921ft.) in late morning, the track soon passes some open grassland, and have some game viewing. You can see Buffalo, Warthog, and Elephants, etc. and then continue as a steady climb through 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/8,248ft.), situated in 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. Ascent is 1,014m/3,326ft.
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 (3,570m/11,712ft) and lunch. The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. The ridge is now very obvious and it can be seen curving away and up to the summit, although it is still a long way. There are good views down into the crater, with the ash cone rising in the center. 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) for energetic ones, can make the short climb to the nearby summit of LITTLE MERU (3,820m/12,532ft) for superb views just before sunset. It takes about 3 – 5 hours walking. The ascent is 1,056m/3464ft. SADDLE HUT is similar to MIRIAKAMBA but water is collected from a stream about 10 minutes away.
An early start at around 0200 hrs to climb steeply to RHINO POINT (3,800m/12,467ft) the path continues along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350m/1,4271ft.) 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 (4,566m/14,980ft) 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. 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. Descent 1,014m/3326ft.
