Four Day Mount Meru Climb

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Day One: Momella Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) to Miriakamba Hut (2,515m/8,250ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,015 meters, 3,330 feet
Hiking Time: Four to seven hours

Leave Arusha at 9am for Arusha National Park. Start your trip with a short game drive in the park, viewing zebra, cape buffalo, warthog and giraffe. Continue driving through the montane forest while looking for black and white colobus monkeys and forest duikers. Reach the climb registration gate at 10:30am to begin your climb. Choose between one of two routes for your first day’s hike: the mountain trail or dirt road.

The Mountain Trail: During the three to five hour mountain trail hike, pass several different ecosystems. The hike begins along a seasonal stream through open forest where it is possible to spot grazing cape buffalo, giraffe and warthogs. Keep your eyes on the treetops as you may spot a troupe of black and white colobus monkeys.

After passing the stream, enter denser woodland where you'll see wildflowers and moss-covered trees. Continue climbing through the woodland stopping for lunch along the way. Reach Miriakamba Hut after a final ascent through the woodland.

The Dirt Road: Hiking via the road takes four to seven hours and also passes through several different vegetation zones. During the first part of the trail, walk through open grassland where viewing buffalo, giraffe and warthog. After the grassland, enter the montane forest and pass through Fig Tree Arch, a great place for taking photos. Continue along the road until reaching Miriakamba Hut in the afternoon.

Destination, Miriakamba Hut: Miriakamba Hut offers beautiful views of the U-shaped Meru crater, the ash cone and the towering cliffs that make up Meru's crater walls. The hut itself consists of two well-built, dormitory style houses which can accommodate up to forty guests. There are toilet facilities, a water source and separate kitchen and lodge facilities for the mountain staff. Solar panels provide electricity in the evening. Soda and beer are available at Miriakamba.

Day Two: Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft) to Saddle Hut (3,570m, 11,710ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,055 meters, 3,460 feet
Hiking Time: Three to five hours

After breakfast, leave Miriakamba and walk along flat land before entering the montane forest. The trail becomes steeper as you enter the forest. Continue hiking until you reach a brief opening in the woods called Elephant Ridge. Continue hiking until you reach Saddle Hut.

The more energetic can summit Little Meru (3,820m) in the afternoon for breathtaking views of Meru and Kilimanjaro. The hike takes one to two hours round-trip. It does get cold on top of Little Meru so bring a jacket, gloves and a hat.

If you hike through fog and mist on day two, you will usually come out of the clouds at Saddle Hut. The normal cloud cover of Arusha National Park burns off at about 3,200 meters. Saddle Hut lies at 3,570 meters. Saddle Hut is very similar to Miriakamba Hut, and is well-maintained, with separate facilities for mountain staff and tourists. The only difference is that sleeping quarters at Saddle are divided into rooms with four beds each. The rooms have locking doors and are often warmer than the larger rooms at Miriakamba. Soda and beer are available for purchase at Saddle Hut.

Day Three: Saddle Hut (3,570m, 11,710ft) to Socialist Peak (4,566m/14,980ft) to Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft)
Elevation Gain: 996 meters, 3,270 feet
Hiking Time: Ten hours

After a light breakfast at 1:30am, begin the hike to Mount Meru's summit, Socialist Peak. Begin the morning with a steep climb up to Rhino Point (3,800m). Descend to cross a small rock bridge, and then continue going up and down over the mix of rocky and sandy trail. The trail involves rock scrambling and there are steep drops to either side of the trail in some places. Be sure to follow the green trail markers and your Duma guide!

Reach the crater rim around dawn and continue to Meru’s peak. The views are spectacular all the way to the summit, offering close looks at the crater's sheer walls, the ash cone, cloud formations and the surrounding park. The hike to the summit is slow-going due to the sandy trail conditions, high winds and altitude. Bring energy food to snack on during the hike. Reach the summit around dawn. After taking photos, descend to Saddle for brunch and then to Miriakamba. Slower or exhausted hikers may choose to stay at Saddle Hut.

Please note: It may be impossible to proceed beyond Rhino Point during rainy or icy conditions. We advise you to climb Meru during the dry season. There are many parts of the summit trail that have steep drops to either side or involve periods of rock scrambling. Proceeding beyond Rhino Point is not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

Day Four: Miriakamba (2,515m/8,250ft) to Momella Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,015 meters, 3,330 feet
Time: Two to three hours

Descend to Momella Gate from either Miriakamba or Saddle Hut. The descent is fast unless it has rained on the trail. First pass through scrubland, then descend into the montane forest and finally into the open grassland. If the trail is wet, we recommend using the road to descend.

After reaching the gate, receive certificates for reaching the summits of Mount Meru and Little Meru. Thank your national park guide and mountain staff for the last time and head back to Arusha. Duma Explorer will assist with your next travel plans.