Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano that is situated 70 kilometers (43 mi) west of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the fifth-highest mountain summit in Africa, depending on definition, and is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day at a height of 4,562.13 meters (14,968 ft).
When it comes to climbing in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, receives the most of the attention, but there are other peaks that are worthwhile taking into account as well. The most notable of these is Mount Meru, which lies nearby Kilimanjaro to the west and makes for a fantastic pre-hike for those who have the time and are looking for a more challenging trip. Climbing Mount Meru is incredibly rewarding.
Wildlife is more prevalent along the trail at Mount Meru, especially in the beginning stages of the trek. To make sure trekking groups get at the first campsite safely, a ranger frequently travels with them on the first day of the trip.
As you begin your approach through Arusha National Park through the Momella route, an armed park ranger will join the group to keep an eye out for any potential animal threats. If you keep your eyes open, you may see baboons, giraffes, zebras, colombus monkeys, and a variety of birds. From here, you begin your climb through Meru’s several plant zones, which include montane forest, moorland, semi-desert, and alpine desert, until you reach its stunning crater. Traveling around the crater rim to get to Socialist Peak’s 4566-meter summit will give you time to explore the ash cone that the 1910 eruption left behind in the crater.
The Beauty can Be seen well when You are on the Top
There are many intriguing sights to see on the ascent, including historic huts and a string of waterfalls tucked away in the tropical forest. The ascent will continue through gorgeous glades and woodlands. The breathtaking momella lakes are also visible in the valley below you after you arrive at Kitoto Camp. If there are no clouds, you may also be able to see Meru’s peak from Rhino Point, which is located further up the mountain. The top of the horseshoe rim offers the mountain’s greatest views, though. As you traverse the sheer ridgeline, it’s a combination of the most thrilling and stunning trekking in East Africa. Looking inside the crater from above.
The soil on Meru is healthy and nutrient-rich because it was once a dormant volcano. Fruit like wild mangoes, African olives, and even figs can be found in the lower woodlands. It is not unexpected that a thriving butterfly population is supported by the nectar of wild orchids, lilies, and violets, which also fills the forest with a lovely scent. The famed Arched Fig Tree, which has created a natural tunnel large enough for an elephant or a car to pass through, will be your first stop on the first day. Giant lobelias and groundsels that resemble those on Kilimanjaro can be found higher up the mountain in the heather zone.
Fewer people visit Mount Meru’s pristine forests, which are rich with wildlife, than Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya. Arusha National Park, where Mt. Meru is located, has the greatest giraffe population in the world as well as wide grasslands that are home to buffalo, zebras, elephants, antelopes, and warthogs. You have a good chance of coming across a lot of the large fauna that inhabits this unique alpine ecosystem. For this reason, the nation mandates that trekkers travel with an armed guide.