Mount Meru: The Sleeping Giant
4-Day Expedition | Arusha National Park | The “Social” Mountain
Mount Meru (4,562m) is Africa’s fifth-highest peak and arguably its most beautiful. Unlike Kilimanjaro, the trail here is a horseshoe shape, following the rim of a collapsed volcano with a sheer cliff drop of over 1,500m into the crater floor.
Day 1: The Walking Safari Beginnings
- Route: Momella Gate (1,500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514m).
- The Experience: We start with a Walking Safari. Because this is a National Park, an armed ranger joins our UNFOLD team. You will walk past herds of buffalo, giraffes, and zebras before entering the montane forest.
- Highlight: Passing the “Fig Tree Arch,” a giant tree large enough for a safari vehicle to drive through.
- Trek: 4–5 hours | Stay: Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2: The Giant Heather Zone
- Route: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (3,570m).
- The Experience: A steep climb through the “Elephant Ridge.” The forest transitions into giant heather and moorland.
- Afternoon – Little Meru: After lunch at Saddle Hut, we take a short 1-hour acclimatization hike to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m). The views of Kilimanjaro at sunset from here are legendary.
- Trek: 3–4 hours | Stay: Saddle Hut.
Day 3: The Knife-Edge Summit
- Route: Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak (4,562m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514m).
- The Push: We start at 2:00 AM. The trail follows a dramatic, narrow rocky ridge. It is an exhilarating “scramble” where you have the crater floor on one side and the outer slopes on the other.
- The Summit: Reach Socialist Peak at dawn. You are perfectly positioned to see the sun rise directly behind the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance.
- The Descent: We return to Saddle Hut for brunch and then continue down to Miriakamba Hut for a final night in the forest.
- Trek: 10–12 hours | Stay: Miriakamba Hut.
Day 4: The Final Descent
- Route: Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate to Arusha.
- The Experience: A gentle walk down through the forest and open meadows. This is your last chance to spot the rare Red Duiker and the Black and White Colobus monkeys.
- The Finish: Our driver meets you at the gate for the short 1-hour drive back to Arusha for a celebratory lunch.
- Trek: 2–3 hours.
Why Mount Meru is the “UNFOLD” Choice
At Serengeti Safari-UNFOLD, we recommend Mount Meru to our photographers. Because the trail stays on the crater rim, you get a 360-degree perspective of the ‘Ash Cone’—the perfectly shaped volcanic vent inside the main crater. It is one of the most geometric natural wonders in Africa.
| Feature | The Practical Reality |
|---|---|
| Wildlife | You will see more animals here than on any other mountain. |
| Crowds | Much quieter than Kilimanjaro; you often have the trail to yourself. |
| Success | Excellent for testing your body at altitude before a longer trek. |
- Park Ranger: Mandatory armed National Park Ranger (to protect against buffalo/elephants in the lower forest).
- Transfers: Transport from Arusha/Moshi to Momella Gate and back.
- Accommodation: 3 nights in the National Park Huts (Miriakamba and Saddle Hut). Note: These are dormitory-style bunk beds as per Park regulations.
- Staff: Professional guide, chef, and a dedicated porter team.
- Meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) including high-energy snacks for the summit push.
- Fees: All Arusha National Park entry fees, hut fees, and rescue fees.
- Sleeping Bag: Clients must bring their own (standard 3-season bag is sufficient).
- Hotel in Arusha: Accommodation before or after the 4-day trek (unless added to a package).
- Tipping: Recommended gratuity for the ranger, guide, and porters (approx. $100–$150 per climber).
- Personal Insurance: Must cover trekking up to 4,600m.