• Distance: Approx. 30 miles (48 km)
• Duration: Three to four days
• Start / end point: Momella Gate
• Difficulty: Strenuous

If mountains had feelings, Meru would most likely go through life with a serious chip on its shoulder. This dormant volcano ranks as Africa’s fifth-highest mountain, and it dominates the skyline of Arusha, a town that serves as the bustling safari capital of northern Tanzania.

Yet in touristic terms, Meru is almost entirely neglected, thanks largely to its proximity to iconic and massively popular Mount Kilimanjaro.

For keen walkers with some time to spare at the start or end of a safari, however, a hike through the forest of Arusha National Park into Meru’s partially collapsed caldera is highly recommended. On the way you're likely to see plenty of wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, zebra and a variety of forest monkeys and birds. Once inside the caldera, you will also enjoy memorable close-up views of its sheer western wall and tall ash cone.

The three to four day trek offers stunning and varied landscapes, ranging from lush forests teeming with wildlife to the dramatic rim of a volcanic crater. With its peak at 4,562 metres, Mt. Meru is steep and challenging, providing an excellent acclimatisation opportunity for those aiming to conquer Kilimanjaro.

The route begins at the Momella Gate, ascending through forest and moorland to Miriakamba and Saddle Huts before the early morning summit to Socialist Peak. The journey offers incredible views, including of Kilimanjaro on clear days.

Need to know

You can climb Meru year-round, but the dry season months (December through to late March and late June to the end of October) are your best bet.