Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania
Climb Mount Meru - Kilimanjaro's Little Brother
Mount Meru (4,566 m) is an active stratovolcano and forms the centrepiece of Arusha National Park in Tanzania. The mountain is often referred to as Mt Kilimanjaro’s ‘little brother’. Although the mountain is not as high as Kilimanjaro, it is just as challenging. Known for its huge cliffs, beautiful green surroundings and abundant wildlife, Mount Meru is the sixth highest mountain in Africa and the second highest in Tanzania!
Climbing Mount Meru requires more technical climbing skills than the routes on Kilimanjaro. What Mount Meru ‘lacks’ in height, it makes up for in difficulty. Therefore, it is important to have some climbing experience.
Still, Mount Meru is sometimes used as warm-up for climbing Kilimanjaro, especially to acclimate the body to greater heights. If you have the time and budget to climb Meru, it is definitely worth it. The mountain isn’t climbed as often and it provides a truly unique experience.
Since Meru lies in Arusha National Park, there’s a great chance of seeing various animals while trekking. You’re likely to encounter giraffes, buffalos, antelopes and baboons.
Highlights
- 4564 meters in height. Second tallest mountain in Tanzania!
- Fewer people have been at the top of Mt. Meru than on Mt. Everest.
- You CAN climb Meru by yourself or in a small team (not possible on Kilimanjaro)
- Socialist Peak (Meru's main peak)
- Very rewarding ascend at SUNRISE
- Little Meru (Meru's second highest peak at 3800m)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Leopard](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Leopard.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Zebra](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Zebra.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Maasai Giraffe](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Maasai-Giraffe.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Cheetah](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cheetah.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Elephant](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Elephant.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Lion](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lion.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Buffalo](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Buffalo.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Wildebeest](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wildebeest.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Black Rhino](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Black-Rhino.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Spotted Hyena](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spotted-Hyena.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Black Rhino](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Black-Rhino.png)
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania bird watching at serengeti](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bird-watching-at-serengeti.jpg)
Mount Meru Trekking Tours
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Mount Meru Climbing | Trekking In Tanzania | Seko Tours Adventures](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Mount-Meru-Climbing-Trekking-In-Tanzania-Seko-Tours-Adventures.jpg)
2 days climbing mount meru
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Hiking on Mount Meru Trekking In Tanzania Seko Tours Adventures](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Hiking-on-Mount-Meru-Trekking-In-Tanzania-Seko-Tours-Adventures.jpg)
3 days climbing mount meru
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Trekking In Tanzania Seko Tours Adventures](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Climbing-Mount-Meru-in-Tanzania-Trekking-In-Tanzania-Seko-Tours-Adventures.jpg)
4 days climbing mount meru
Mount Meru location
Mount Meru is about 70 km (43 mi) west of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. On a clear day, you can see Kilimanjaro from Mount Meru. Meru is a freestanding mountain located in the middle of Arusha National Park, one of the main national parks in northern Tanzania.
Arusha National Park is just north of the town of Arusha, known as the “safari capital” of Tanzania and possibly the world. You can see Meru from Arusha on clear days, offering a nice view from the city. When hiking on the lower parts of Meru, you can see the entire city of Arusha.
Do not confuse Mount Meru in Tanzania with a mountain in India that has the same name.
Kilimanjaro vs Meru - which one should I climb?
![Climbing Mount Meru in Tanzania Kilimanjaro vs Meru - which one should I climb](https://sekotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kilimanjaro-vs-Meru-which-one-should-I-climb-.jpg)
Meru is often dismissed in favour of its bigger and more renowned neighbour, Kilimanjaro. However, Meru is the 5th tallest mountain in Africa, and Meru treks are an attraction in their own right.
Meru is far less crowded than Kilimanjaro. On Kili treks, you can sometimes feel as though you are following a conveyor belt of trekkers. This rarely happens on Meru treks.
Meru’s huts can fill up in the high season, but this is due to a lack of accommodation rather than the number of trekkers.
Mount Meru towers over Arusha National Park, and you will see an array of wildlife on your trek. On the lower slopes, you will encounter antelopes, buffalos, and other majestic animals. Your (compulsory) guide is armed to protect you from predators.
Meru treks are also much cheaper than Kili treks (around £1,000 cheaper). Meru treks are shorter than Kili treks, so the park and conservation fees don’t rack up as much.
Finally, although Meru is smaller than Kilimanjaro, it is widely considered to be a more demanding trek, so you will still have bragging rights upon your return.
Many experienced climbers decide to climb Mount Meru in preparation for a Kili trek. You may choose to acclimatise on a Meru trek before you tackle Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Rising in isolation out of the surrounding savannah to an elevation of 5,895 metres, ‘Kili’ is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Its allure is undeniable, attracting seasoned trekkers and determined first-timers alike from all over the world. A trek to the snow capped Kibo peak is an unforgettable experience and an essential part of any Tanzanian adventure.
When to climb the mountain?
Best time to climb Mount Meru
Mount Meru can be climbed all year around. For the highest chance of succes, it’s best to take on the mountain during the dry season. The dry season is from June to the beginning of March. This runs from June to early March. For the best weather conditions and incredible views of the snow-covered peak of Mt Kilimanjaro, also known as ‘the Roof of Africa’, we recommend climbing the mountain from late December to February.
If you’re considering a Mount Meru trekking tour during November till halfway December, you should expect occasional rains. This is called the ‘light rain season’.
April and May are the so-called ‘heavy rainy season’ in Tanzania. Try to avoid climbing in these months. If it rains too much during the climb, it might be cancelled if the guide finds it too dangerous. This does not happen often, but it is definitely something to keep in mind if you plan to reach the summit
Select The Best Destination For Your Travel
Iconic Destinations
Seko Tours on TripAdvisor
Read real stories from people who have traveled with Seko Tours Adventures. Our travelers talk about their unforgettable Tanzanian safari trips and explain why traveling with us is special and life-changing.
Unforgettable Kilimanjaro Trek . We hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with Seko Tours and it was unforgettable, thanks to our guide, David. He helped us every step of the way. The hike was hard, but David's help made it easier. We saw stunning views and finally reached the top. It was the best feeling ever. We couldn't have done it without David and the team at Seko Tours. Thank you for this amazing adventure.
James2024-07-04Great Safari Adventure . Our safari with Seko Tours was fantastic, thanks to our guide, David. He was very friendly and knew so much about the animals. We saw giraffes, zebras, and hippos in the national parks. David made sure we got the best views and told us many interesting facts. The lodges were nice and the food was tasty. We had so much fun. Thank you, David and Seko Tours, for an amazing adventure!.
Navigate S2024-07-03Amazing Kilimanjaro Hike . Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Seko Tours was amazing. Our guide, Inno, helped us a lot. He made sure we were ready for each day's hike. The views were beautiful and reaching the top was a dream come true. It was a hard climb, but Inno made it possible. This hike was one of the best experiences ever.
Darshan2024-07-03We had a wonderful time on our safari with Seko Tours. We had a wonderful time on our safari with Seko Tours. Our guide, Ngoi, was excellent. He showed us many animals in the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Ngoi was very patient and made sure we enjoyed our trip. The parks were beautiful and we saw so many animals. We highly recommend this tour and thank Ngoi for making it so special.
Martelon2024-07-03Amazing Safari Experience . "We went on a safari with Seko Tours and it was amazing. Our guide, Inno, was great. He knew a lot about the animals. We saw lions, elephants, and a cheetah in the Serengeti. Inno made sure we were always comfortable. This safari was the best ever, thanks to Inno and Seko Tours!"
Obazee2024-07-02Safari with guide Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a perfect guide and driver. He made us visit and discover the real wildlife of Tanzania. No trouble was too much for him. His knowledge about all the hotspots of the different animals is amazing. Haruna matata, he gets you around.
Rony V2023-12-27Unforgettable experience at Mount Meru! We climbed Mount Meru in 4 days with Happyson and his crew from Seko Tours. We had an amazing experience, even though it was quite tough (especially because of the rainy season). We made it to the top thanks to this wonderful crew. They even shared their rain jacket and waterproof gloves with us. The chef prepared delicious meals, and the waiter took great care of us (including water to wash ourselves, tea, popcorn and hot water in a bottle to keep us warm during the night). Happyson and team spared no efforts and we had a lot of fun together. On the fourth day, right before the gate, we were surprised by seeing so many wild animals and the beautiful waterfall. The two giraffes at just a few meters away was amazing. Would definitely recommend!!
Romy H2023-11-28Safari with David from Seko tours David was our guide for our 2 day Tarangire and 1 day Ngorongoro safari. We were with a group of 4 friends and David was the best guide we could wish for. He had a lot of knowledge about the area, the animals, the culture, actually about everything. He could find every amimal we wanted to see including the difficult to spot cheeta, leopard and rhino. He did everything to get us the best spot to view and photograph the animals. When viewing, he told us a lot of intersting facts about the animals and the area they are in. Between the safari days David also was our driver to all locations in between, always on time and always with surprises, like beer or a great warm lunch. Thanks David you made our trip really worth it!!
Avdb2023-10-28Best Safari guides with a lot of knowledge, friendliness and fun We had a wonderful experience with our guides Shabani (mr walking encyclopedia) and John (mr juice). We went to Tarangiri, Serengeti and Ngorogoro in 2 cars with a family of 7. Both guides learned us a lot on the animals and really were motivated to give us the best time possible. They are friendly, happy and the best guides you could wish for. We saw all animals we wanted to see multiple times and had a lot of fun together.
Cindy V2023-07-24