Mount Meru: the four-day acclimatisation climb

The mountain

Meru is a volcano west of Kilimanjaro, visible from Arusha on a clear day. An eruption long ago blew out its eastern side, leaving a horseshoe-shaped crater with a sheer inner wall and a younger ash cone inside. The summit, Socialist Peak, sits on the rim of that crater.

Because the lower slopes are part of Arusha National Park, you walk through wildlife: buffalo, giraffe, warthog and black-and-white colobus monkeys. An armed ranger accompanies every group.

The four-day route

• Day 1. Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut, about 2,500 m, through forest and open grassland.
• Day 2. Miriakamba to Saddle Hut, about 3,570 m. In the afternoon, an optional walk up Little Meru, 3,820 m.
• Day 3. Summit. Start around midnight, climb the rim to Socialist Peak for sunrise over Kilimanjaro, then descend to Miriakamba.
• Day 4. Descend to Momella Gate.

The three-day version combines the last two days. Four days is better if Meru is your acclimatisation climb.

Why it helps on Kilimanjaro

Spending nights at 2,500 m and 3,500 m and reaching 4,500 m gives your body a head start on adapting to altitude. Climbers who do Meru first often find the early days of Kilimanjaro easier. Allow at least one rest night in Moshi or Arusha between the two climbs.

Why it is worth doing on its own

• It is quiet. Meru sees a fraction of Kilimanjaro’s climbers.
• The summit ridge is dramatic, with a sheer drop into the crater.
• The sunrise view of Kilimanjaro floating above the clouds.
• Wildlife on the lower slopes.