Mount Meru is an active stratovolcano approximately 70km west of Mt Kilimanjaro (it is visible from Mt Kilimanjaro on a clear day) in the northern Tanzania. At a height of 4,566m it is the fifth highest mountain in Africa. A significant part of Mount Meru was lost about 8,000 years ago due to colossal eastward volcanic explosion. This explosion would have been similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington.
Mount Meru most recent minor eruption was about a century ago. There are several small cones and craters found in the vicinity which reflect numerous episodes of volcanic activity. Mt Meru's ash cone that has formed in the old crater.
Mount Meru dominates Arusha National Park. Its highly fertile forested slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and supporting a huge diversity of wildlife, including around 400 bird species as well as numerous primates and leopards.
At the summit, one can find a 2m tall flag of Tanzania in metal and also a trig point in concrete with "Socialist Peak 4562.13M" written.
Mt. Meru is part of the Arusha National Park located 45 km from Arusha town. Home to elephants, large herds of buffalo, bushbuck, giraffe and duiker, the park is the also a good place to observe the interesting black-and-white colobus monkeys.
The hike up Mt. Meru is more physically demanding than Kilimanjaro, albeit only a 3-4 day hike (some climbers use this hike as a warm-up to Kili). It is also safer as there is little risk of altitude sickness. Meru is often over-looked by achievment seeking travellers and is therefor not nearly as busy as Kili, so you are more likely to see forest animals and the big game that occupies the lower slopes (a ranger is compulsory).
The first stage takes you through the acacia woodlands, past resident herds of buffalo and giraffe and up to the base camp hut. Technically the summit can be reached in just 2 days but many people take 3 or 4 days to really explore the mountain.
For more information on climbing Mt Meru or visiting Arusha National Park, please contact us.
