Mount Meru is located just north of the city of Arusha, in the Arusha city and stands at an altitude of 4,566 m. It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, after Mount Kilimanjaro. The Momella route – which starts at Momella gate, on the eastern side of the mountain – is used to climb Mount Meru. For those climbing Mount Kilimanjaro can view the Mount Meru on a clear day and is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, dependent on definition.
Trekking Overview
DAY 1: MOMELLA GATE (1,500 M) – MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,500 M)
In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel in Arusha and after a scenic drive through the Arusha National Park you will reach the Momella gate. Once the formalities have been sorted out you will start from here. An armed park ranger will accompany you and right from the start you might spot giraffes and buffaloes as you walk through open grasslands. After approximately 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls – the perfect spot to rest and have a picnic. Thereafter you will continue your trek to the well-known “fig tree arch”. After about another two hours your will arrive at the Miriakamba Hut in time for afternoon tea and snacks. The night will be spent at the Miriakamba Hut.
DAY 2: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,500 M) – SADDLE HUT (3,550 M)
In the morning after breakfast you will start trekking to another camp which is Saddle Hut. The vegetation now changes from rainforest to heather and moorland and you should reach Saddle Hut (3,550 m) at around midday. During the afternoon, you have the option to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) which should take about 1 to 1½ hours depending to someone pace. From here you will enjoy wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro if the sky isn’t shy. Back at Saddle Hut you will have a warm meal before you retire to bed early as your wake-up call with be just after midnight.
DAY 3: SADDLE HUT (3,550 M) – SOCIALIST PEAK (4,562 M) – MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,500 M)
After a small snack and some tea, you will leave the camp at night. Lighting the way with headlamps, you will follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here the path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be necessary. You will walk on volcanic ash, rocks and gravel, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. From here, you will experience the sun rising and enjoy the fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550 m) where you will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue the descent and in the afternoon you reach Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – tired but happy.
DAY 4: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2,500 M) – MOMELLA GATE (1,500 M) – ARUSHA
After breakfast, you will follow the so-called “northern route” – a 2 to 3 hour trek back to the Momella gate. The descent follows a shorter route than the ascent but there is still a chance to see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking crew and your driver will take you back to the hotel or lodge where you will celebrate your achievement and spend the night or get a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home.
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