4-Day Mount Meru Climb through Arusha National Park

After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to Marangu Gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed and the trekking team has gathered, your trek can begin, accompanied by armed park rangers. Along the way, you may see wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, impalas, and various primates, including white colobus monkeys and baboons, as well as birds.

Soon, you will enter the acacia forest on the southern route. After approximately 2 hours, you will reach Maio Falls - the perfect spot to rest and have a picnic. Thereafter, you will continue your trek to the well-known "fig tree arch". You will finally arrive at Miriakamba Hut in time for afternoon tea and snacks. The night will be spent at Miriakamba Hut.

After breakfast, you will follow wooden steps along a steep track. Due to the gain in altitude, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day, and walking may seem easier. The clouds often hang low in the rainforest, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation.

After going uphill for approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point "Mgongo wa Tembo" (Elephant Back) at a height of 3,200 m, where you will enjoy a well-earned break. The vegetation now changes from rainforest to heather and moorland, and you should reach Saddle Hut at around midday. During the afternoon, you have the option to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m), which should take about 1 to 2 hours. From here, you will enjoy wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. You will have dinner and stay overnight at Saddle Hut.

Today is the big day, when you will wake up around 1 am or 2 am. You will be given a small snack and some tea to warm up and get ready to leave for the summit. As you begin your summit climb, your headlight will be in use, and you will follow the trail through bushland to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here, the path becomes more challenging, and occasional climbing will be necessary.

You will walk on frozen volcanic ash and rocks, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours, you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. Experience the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro 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, where you will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. After refreshing, you will pack your belongings and walk down to Miriakamba Hut for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will follow the so-called northern route - a 2 to 3 hour trek back to 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 black and white colobus monkeys.