Mount Meru is one of Africa's
highest and most beautiful volcanoes, with a route which passes
through a wide range of vegetation up into a moorland. The summit of
Mt Meru is reached by walking along a very narrow, barren ridge,
affording one views of Ash Cone thousands of feet below in the crater
and Kilimanjaro across the vast plains in Moshi.
Mt Meru is home to over 400 species of birds as well
as large herds of elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, baboon, warthog,
monkey and monkey.
The climb is often used as an
acclimatisation trek prior to ascending its larger sister,
Kilimanjaro, and can be completed in either three of four days.
Accommodation is in mountain huts. The climb is fully portered and one
walks with a guide and armed mountain game guide. The mountain is
situated in Arusha Park.
MT
MERU ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
into Kilimanjaro International, transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Drive to
Arusha National Park and begin the trek.
We arrive after about a 2 hr
drive, a Momella gate where we clear our trekking permits, meet up
with our porters and game ranger, and head off through the lush
forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at
8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking 4 to 5 hours. En route up, we will
get views of buffalo grazing in the lush fields below us, and in the
far distance, Kilimanjaro. Over night Miriakamba Hut
Day 3
After an early
start, we ascend steeply for about 2 to 3 hours, through the
lush forests full of bird song, toward Saddle Hut at 3570m.
We may be fortunate to see a couple of buffalo grazing
nearby as we head out.
We take in an
afternoon trek to Little Meru, at 3794 and return to Saddle
Hut for our overnight stay.
Day 4*
After a very early
start, we trek off at about 02h00 to Rhino Point and on to
the summit at 4565m, just in time to watch the to see
the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro. We then descend all
the way to Momella Gate to be met and transferred back to
our Hotel and overnight stay.
Day 5
Departure from
Kilimanjaro Airport, or day of leisure before our trek up
Kilimanjaro or Tanzanian Safari.
* For the 4 day
trek one descends but to Miriakambu Hut for the night, before heading
back to Momella gate.
