Trekking Mt Meru: the alternative to Kilimanjaro

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For those seeking a quieter, wilder climb in Tanzania, trekking Mt Meru offers a striking, rewarding alternative to Kilimanjaro’s busy trails

While Kilimanjaro steals the spotlight, its lesser-known neighbour quietly offers one of East Africa’s most rewarding trekking experiences. Mt Meru, towering above the savannah of Arusha National Park, is often overlooked – but that’s precisely its charm.

With lush forests, abundant wildlife and dramatic volcanic ridgelines, this under-the-radar trek delivers big mountain drama without the crowds. If you’re seeking solitude, scenery and a serious challenge, trekking Mt Meru just might be Tanzania’s best-kept hiking secret.

Introducing Mt Meru

At 4,562m, Mt Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and the fifth-highest in Africa (or eighth, depending on your definition of a summit, but let’s not get into that here).

Mt Meru with a small town and farmland in the foreground

Although overshadowed by Kilimanjaro and frequently overlooked by trekkers, it is a spectacular volcanic cone with one of East Africa’s most scenic and rewarding climbs.

A trek to the summit takes you through grassland and lush forest on the mountain’s lower slopes, followed by a dramatic and exhilarating walk along the knife-edge of the crater rim.

Mt Meru has a circular base some 20km across at 2,000m, where it rises steeply above the plains as an almost perfect cone with an internal crater surrounded by a steep wall of cliffs. At about 2,500m, the wall has broken away, so the top half of the mountain is shaped like a giant horseshoe.

The cliffs of the inner wall below the summit are more than 1,500m high and among the tallest in Africa. Inside the crater, more recent volcanic eruptions have created a subsidiary peak called the Ash Cone.

Perfect acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro

Although trekking Mt Meru is a fine adventure in its own right, and considerably less costly than its famous neighbour, it’s also worth considering as a preparatory trek for the higher peak of Kilimanjaro.

Peter the summit of Kilimanjaro in bright sunshine

Its 4,562m summit is roughly as high as the final campsites and huts on Kilimanjaro before the final summit push, making it excellent acclimatisation. The climbing is nontechnical and, apart from the challenging ridge walk as you approach the summit, is pretty straightforward.

Finally, as it’s part of Arusha National Park and only 70km from Kilimanjaro National Park, Mt Meru is also well suited for safari-trek combination itineraries.

Trekking Mt Meru itineraries

Tanzania experts and Mt Meru guides Aardvark Expeditions have two itineraries: a 4-day and a 3-day. Both cover the same ground along the Londorossi Route – approximately 45km (27mi) of total distance – and start and end in Arusha.

Summit view looking across the ash cone trekking Mt Meru route

4-day itinerary

We recommend opting for the 4-day itinerary as it’s easier on the knees and allows for more time to enjoy the views on the descent.

Arusha (1,400m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Saddle Hut (3,550 m)
Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Arusha

3-day itinerary

The 3-day itinerary follows the same route as the 4-day itinerary but skips a night at Miriakamba Hut on the descent, making for a much longer summit day.

Arusha (1,400m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Miriakamba Hut (2500m) – Saddle Hut (3,500m)
Saddle Hut (3,500m) – Socialist Peak (4,562m) – Arusha (1,400m)

Practical information

Aardvark Expeditions will collect you from your lodgings in Arusha and transfer you to Momella Gate, where you will register with the park authorities.

Porters are used to carry the majority of the gear, but you will be responsible for your day packs. All accommodation on the trek is in mountain huts.