Mount Meru Trek

The Route

Overview

Mount Meru (4,566m) is Tanzania's second-highest peak and one of Africa's most underrated treks. Located within Arusha National Park, just 40km from Arusha city, Meru offers a genuine mountain challenge with the added bonus of wildlife encounters on the lower slopes — giraffes, buffalo, and colobus monkeys are common sights.

The trek follows the Momella Route, ascending through montane forest, heath, and alpine desert to Socialist Peak on the crater rim. The summit offers one of the best views of Kilimanjaro anywhere — on a clear day, you can see the entire massif from base to summit.

Meru is an excellent acclimatization trek for Kilimanjaro, helping your body adjust to altitude before attempting the bigger peak. But it's also a rewarding trek in its own right — the diverse landscapes, wildlife, and summit views make it a standout experience.

Mountain huts provide basic but comfortable accommodation, and an armed ranger accompanies the group for wildlife safety on the lower slopes.

Highlights