Mount Meru — Simba Pride Safaris

Overview

Tanzania's second mountain and, for many of us, the more beautiful climb. The trail starts among giraffe and buffalo in Arusha National Park, rises through cloud forest and finishes on a knife-edge crater rim with Kilimanjaro floating on the horizon.

Wildlife highlights

Giraffe
Buffalo
Colobus
Elephant
Bushbuck
Turaco
Dik-dik

The rim

A summit ridge to remember

The final hours follow a narrow crater rim above a 1,500 m drop, with the ash cone below and Kilimanjaro ahead.

Wildlife

Safari on day one

You walk past giraffe, buffalo and colobus with an armed ranger before the forest closes in.

Acclimatisation

The perfect warm-up

Climb Meru first and Kilimanjaro a few days later with your body already adjusted.

Season calendar

What happens when. Use it to pick your month, then ask us to confirm conditions before you book.

Driest trailsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Clear Kilimanjaro viewsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Green forest, waterfallsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Rainy, not recommendedJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Areas & highlights

Momella gate to Miriakamba

Day one through the park's wildlife and forest to the first hut at 2,500 m.

4 to 5 hours

Miriakamba to Saddle hut

Steeper forest and moorland to 3,570 m, with Little Meru as an afternoon extra.

3 to 4 hours

Summit ridge

A 1 am start along the crater rim to Socialist Peak for sunrise, then descend.

10 to 12 hours

Descent

Back down through the park with the ranger, out by mid-afternoon.

5 to 6 hours

Things to do

Summit climb3 or 4 days to Socialist Peak at 4,566 m, with an armed ranger.
Crater rim walkThe final morning along a narrow ridge to the summit at sunrise.
Wildlife on the trailGiraffe, buffalo and colobus on the first day through the park.
Miriakamba hutComfortable huts rather than tents, a rarity in Tanzania.

Where to stay

On the mountainMiriakamba and Saddle huts, bunk rooms, included in the climb.

Before and afterLodges around Arusha National Park. US$120 to 350 p.p.

By area

Huts: Miriakamba and Saddle huts with bunk rooms and a dining hall, included.
Before and after: lodges on the park boundary or coffee estates near Arusha.

Indicative per-person high-season rates. We hold provisional space at a shortlist of lodges in each tier and book the one that fits your route.

Getting there & around

By road

Momella gate is 1 hour from Arusha.

Tip

Climb Meru first, then Kilimanjaro a few days later, already acclimatised.

Trips that include Mount Meru

4 days · 4 daysMount Meru ClimbFrom $1,050 p.p.

Best time to visit

Best months

JFMAMJJASOND

Jun to OctDry trails, cold clear nights, the best views from the summit.

Dec to FebWarm and mostly clear, a good second window.

NovShort rains, forest waterfalls running, few climbers.

Mar to MayLong rains. Slippery ridge, cloud on the summit. Avoid.

Practical notes

Ranger: mandatory, armed, and included. The park has buffalo and elephant on the trail.
Huts: no tents needed, but bring a warm sleeping bag for Saddle hut.
Summit night: starts at 1 am. Headtorch, gloves and a down jacket.
Fitness: the ridge is steep and exposed. Sure feet matter more than speed.
Combine: 3 days Meru, 2 rest, then a 7-day Kilimanjaro route is a strong plan.

Mount Meru questions

Is Meru easier than Kilimanjaro?

Shorter and lower, but the summit ridge is steep and exposed. Most guests find summit morning tougher than expected.

Why the ranger?

The route passes through wildlife areas with buffalo and elephant.

Is Meru harder than Kilimanjaro?

Lower and shorter, but summit morning is steeper and more exposed. Most climbers find it tougher than they expected and love it more.

Do I need to be roped?

No. It is a walk, though with some scrambling and exposure on the final ridge.

the guides'favourite climb