Tourism in Mount Meru - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
Tourism
in Mount Meru:
Africa Natural Tours
AFRICA
NATURAL TOURS (The best tour company in Tanzania)
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Cultural tourism,
Beach holiday sand
Mountain
climbing
Contact
+255 653 679 958
At
4566m, Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain on the African continent and
the second highest in Tanzania. About 250 000 years ago, a massive volcanic
blast blew away the entire eastern flank of the mountain and left it with the
characteristic and distinctive appearance it has today. Last eruption: 1910
At
4566m, Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain on the African continent and
the second highest in Tanzania. About 250 000 years ago, a massive volcanic
blast blew away the entire eastern flank of the mountain and left it with the
characteristic and distinctive appearance it has today. The Mt Meru ascent
passes through many different vegetation zones. The dry forest of the lower
region gives way to a dense mountain rainforest, which then turns into a
scrubland. Towards the top of the mountain, the vegetation consists of heath
and moorland and is then finally replaced by the stunning baron alpine deserts.
As the flora changes the wildlife does so too, which is diverse and equally
impressive. During the ascent, you will regularly come across large game such
as elephants and buffalos but you may also come across leopards. Due to this,
it is obligatory to be accompanied by an armed park ranger on your tour.
Day 1 Arusha - Momella Gate (1500m) - Miriakamba Hut (2500m)
In
the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and after a 45-minute drive;
you will arrive at the Arusha National Park Gate. At the national park gate,
your guide will complete the obligatory entry forms and whilst he does so, you
can peruse the information boards of the national park. Once the formalities
have been completed and the hiking team consisting of porters from the
surrounding villages is formed, you will then be driven a little further to
Momella Gate. An armed park ranger will accompany you while you start your hike
and get a first glimpse of the wonderful giraffes and buffalos. Once you have
left the buffalo herds and giraffes behind, you will enter the acacia forest in
which you will follow the Southern Route. After a steady 2-hour climb, you will
reach Maio Falls and some picturesque meadows that are a perfect place for a
picnic. After a rest, you will again be on your way and soon reach the
well-known ‘Arched Fig Tree’. Here your park ranger will tell you about the
formation of this tree and how it gained its shape forming an arch over the
path. After another 1½ - 2 hours, you will reach the Miriakamba Hut. Evening
meal and overnight stay at the Miriakamba Hut. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 2 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Saddle Hut (3550m)
In
the morning, you will leave the Miriakamba Hut behind and follow a steep track
with wooden steps upwards. Due to the gain in height, it will be noticeably
cooler than the previous day and due to this, the hike will seem to get easier.
The clouds also often hang in the rainforest and dip the lush vegetation in a
moody atmosphere. After approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point
‘Mgongo wa Tembo’ (Elephant back) at an elevation of 3200m, where you will
enjoy a well-earned break. After another hike in which the vegetation changes
from rainforest into an airy bush land, you will reach Saddle Hut (3550m) at
midday for a relaxing lunch break. During the afternoon, you have the option of
a side trip to Little Meru (3820m) which takes approx. 1 - 1 ½ hours and from
where you can have wonderful views of Arusha National Park and of the
Kilimanjaro (approx. 80 km away). Back at the hut, a warm dinner is waiting for
you before you will have the final preliminary talk in preparation for the
following day’s climb to the summit. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Saddle Hut - Socialist Peak (4562m) - Miriakamba Hut
(2500m)
After
an early start with tea and biscuits, you will leave for the summit at 02:00
hrs. By torchlight, you will follow the trail through bush land to the
so-called Rhino Point (3821m) in which the path turns into a little more
challenging trek with occasional light climbs. You will follow the north ridge
to the summit on which you walk on ground alternating between lava ash and
rock. After approx. 4 - 5 hours, you will have the summit and the Tanzanian
flag in your sights. From the summit, you will be able to enjoy the sun rising
above Kilimanjaro and the fantastic view of Mount Meru’s crater with its steep
sides and the “Ash Cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back
to Saddle Hut (3550m) where you will take a well-deserved long break and
recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue with the
descent. During the early afternoon, you will reach Miriakamba Hut (2500m) -
tired but happy. At this hut, you can relax and think about the last stage that
you have completed. Evening meal and overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut (2500m).
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Momella Gate (1500m)
After
breakfast, you will follow a 2 - 3 hour trek over the so-called ‘Northern
Route’ back to Momella Gate. The descent is shorter than the ascent but there
is still the chance to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes as well as the black
and white columbus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking
crew and your driver will take you back to Arusha. Breakfast
Note:
The summit stage contains a few simple but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights and sure footedness are absolutely necessary. In adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks and paths or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the climb to the summit. We do not advice climbs in the rain season (April and May).
The summit stage contains a few simple but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights and sure footedness are absolutely necessary. In adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks and paths or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the climb to the summit. We do not advice climbs in the rain season (April and May).
For more information
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