BOOK THIS TOUR
Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located 70 kilometres (43 mi) west of Mount Kilimanjaro in the nation of Tanzania. At a height of 4,562.13 metres (14,968 ft).
it is visible from Mt Kilimanjaro on a clear day,and is the fifth highest mountain in Africa, dependent on definition.
Mount Meru is located just north of the city of Arusha, in the Arusha Region of Tanzania. It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, after Mount Kilimanjaro. The Momella route – which starts at Momella gate, on the eastern side of the mountain – is used to climb Mount Meru.
Much of its bulk was lost about 8,000years ago due to an eastward volcanic blast, similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the U.S. state of Washington. Mount Meru most recently had a minor eruption in 1910 The several small cones and craters seen in the vicinity probably reflect numerous episodes of volcanic activity.
Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. Its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, and also monkeys and leopards
MOUNT MERU CLIMB
Day 1: Momella gate (1500m) to Miriakamba (2500)
Visitors spend the first night at Miriakamba Accommodation Centre (2500m) .From Momella Gate to Miriakamba there are two routes; Southern and Northern routes.
Southern route (road) Takes 5 hours walk from Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut.
Through this route, visitors have chances to see almost all mammals fund in the forest including hornbill, Hartlaub’sTuraco and birds of prey. It is possible to see several species of butterflies such as Mocker Swallow tailed, Soldier commodores, Blue Swallow tailed, Golden winged forester, Emperor, Mother of pearl etc.
Visitors will pass through the montance forest where different features such as the Fig Tree Arch, Maio Waterfalls, and different kind of vegetation such as Wild mango, African olive, Strangler fig and Wild elder could be seen.
At about 2300m the higher montane forest begins. Common trees are juniper and Podo. The common wild flowers are Empetient species, Red hot pocker, Orchids, Fire ball lily and Gladiolus.
Northern route: Takes between 3-4 hours from Momella Gate to Miriakamba Accommodation Centre. This is the shorter and steeper rout. Along this route the views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Momella lakes are spectacular. Common mammals along this route are Camp Buffalo, Maasai, giraffe, Warthogs, Bushbuck, etc. Present birds are Hartlaub’sTuraco, White Fronted Bee Eaters, and Fiscal Shrike. Tropical Boubo, stone chat, variable sun birds and Olive pigeon. Common beautiful wild flowers are Red hot pocker, Blue violet, Vynium, Tubalosum and Gladiolus.
Day 2: Miriakamba to Saddle Accommodation Centre (2500 to 3500m)
4 hours along this portion of the route visitors do enjoy the spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Momella Lakes, Meru crater, Ashcone, Mt. Meru cliff and the Little Meru. Through the forest, common animals include Buffalo, Bushbuck, Elephant, and Black and White Colobus.
Attractive wild flowers such as impatient species, Red hot pocker, Orchids Fireball lily, Gladiolus, Giant lobelia, Everlasting flowers (HelcrysumSenecio and Alchemilla). Common shrubs are Erica arboreas,
Stoebekimandscharica, Leonitsnepatifolia, Mosses and lichens the trail takes the visitor throughstrickingtree species such as Hyeniumabyssinica, Nuxiacongesta, podocarpus and Hypercom tevolutum.
The ascend of little Meru is possible even during the afternoon.
Day 3: Saddle Accommodation Centre to Meru Summit
Takes 5-6 hours This is the place where visitors enjoy the most views of Mt. Kilimanjaro Little, Meru crater, Ashcan, Momella Lakes, Cliff face, Meru summit, Ngorongoro crater highlands, Arusha city sunrise from Kilimanjaro and sunset. Klipspringers and mountain reedbucks are seen over rocks. Birds like white necked raven, Bearded vultures, Stone, chat, Cliff chat, Alpine swift, can be seen in this higher elevations. While walking along the trail to the saddle it is possible to step on wild flowers likeAlchemilla, Helicysum and iris flowers. The start for the summit is made early in the morning from 1-2am after reaching the summit 4566m visitor do walk all the way back to Miriakamba Accommodation Centre.
Day 4: Miriakamba to Momella Gate
Visitor who went through the shorter route while ascending can descend via the longer route or vice versa. Hurrying-up while going down is not advisable. Please take your time to enjoy scenic beauty as well and occasional sightings of game.
