What is the best time to climb the Mount Meru? : The question of the best time to climb Mount Meru is among the critical and most commonly asked questions during tours in Tanzania.
Choosing the best time for a hike on Mount Meru is vital because time you choose to book and hike Mount Meru, the more enjoyment, success, and experience you will have.
Mount Meru is a year-round trekking destination since it can be climbed all year and it is also the second highest mountain in Tanzania. The huts on Mount Meru are pleasant, you won’t have to camp in the rain, and the weather isn’t as cold.
The best time to climb Mount Meru and see the animals in the Arusha National Park is during the dry season, between June and October, with December to February providing the best views of Kilimanjaro.
Packing list for hike on Mount Meru
Some of the things to bring along with you during the hike on Mount Meru include a small day pack to carry with you on the hike each day, in addition to your gear bag. Rain gear, 2 liters of water, a camera, an additional fleece jacket, a passport, are all recommended essentials to have in your day bag. We recommend taking 4 liters of water in your day pack if you drink a lot of water while trekking. Each evening, you will not have access to the luggage carried by the porter until you arrive at the camp/hut.
Estimated cost of the equipment for hiking on Mount Meru is as follows;
- Each sleeping bag for a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit costs $40.
- Each summit jacket costs $30.
- $35 for a pair of walking sticks.
- Jackets and pants made of fleece are $20 each.
- $15 each for hats, gloves, gaiters, and balaclavas.
Where to stay/accommodation while climbing Mount Meru?
When trekking and exerting yourself on this mountain in the Arusha National Park, Mount Meru provides some of the best accommodations. There is electricity to charge your phone and camera in the Mount Meru lodging, as well as decent latrines. Mount Meru trekking is quite pleasant. The following is a list of Mount Meru lodging options.
Miriakamba Huts
The first camp was located on the only road to Mt. Meru’s summit, consisting of lodges or houses divided into multiple dormitory-style rooms. Each room has the capacity to accommodate up to four people. A mess hall, guide and porter quarters, and a camp ranger’s office are also available. There is no self-contained accommodation available, so climbers generally use the camp for the first night of a four-day hike to the summit. It’s also where you’ll sleep on the third night of your descent.
Saddle Huts.
The night before your push up 3500-meter Socialist Peak, you’ll stay at Saddle Hut. These huts are a little more modest, but they feature all of the same facilities as the Miriakamba Huts. Buffalo and other games can still be found in this area.
If you wish to climb Mount Meru, it is recommended that you do so in four days. You can accomplish it in three days, but hiking experts recommend four days. This will allow you to take in the splendor of the mountain while also allowing you to acclimate and reduce the danger of altitude sickness.
When hiking on Mount Meru, the 4 days hike itinerary is as follows;
Day1; Momella Gate (1500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2500m)
- 6 kilometers (3.5 miles)
- Time taken: 4–5 hours
the first day of the hike on Mount Meru starts in Arusha or Moshi early in the morning, head to Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. Driving time from Moshi is approximately 3 hours, while from Arusha it is approximately 1 hour. Clear your trekking permits at the gate, meet up with your porters, guide, cook, and game ranger, and begin ascending. You’ll pass across broad grassland, where you’ll have an excellent chance of seeing buffalo, warthogs, and other grazers.
After crossing the Ngare Nanyuki River, you will continue climbing through the mountain forest. You will have the opportunity to witness a variety of birds as well as black and white colobus monkeys. The first day of your walk will end at Miriakamba Hut, where you will spend the night. During your hike for the first day
Day 2: Miriakamba (2500m) to Saddle (3500m)
- distance 6.5 kilometers (4 miles).
- Time required: 3–4 hours
The day two hike will take you along the saddle ridge, which is a steep path. Along the trip, spectacular views of the Meru crater, the ash cone, and Little Meru may be observed. Keep an eye out for wildlife and beautiful wildflowers while hiking through the woodland. Buffaloes and the black-and-white Colobus monkey are common animals to be seen in day two hike. You’ll spend the night at Saddle Hut after finishing your day two hike. Following a brief rest at the camp, you will embark on an hour-long acclimatization trek to Little Meru (3810m) before returning to Saddle hut. During your day two hike
Day 3; Saddle Hut (3500m) to Socialist Peak (4562m) to Miriakamba Hut (2500m)
You’ll get up shortly after midnight for a small breakfast before beginning your final journey to Socialist Peak at the summit of Mount Meru. The trail to the summit is difficult, with gravel and rocky slopes to climb through. From the peak, you will have amazing views of the Meru crater and ash cone. Klipspringers and mountain reedbucks can occasionally be observed crossing the rocky terrain. You will descend to Miriakamba Hut after summiting, where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2500m) to Momella Gate (1500m).
You will leave at 8:00 a.m. and descend to the Momella gate. You have the option of either a longer or shorter descent. You have a better chance of seeing wildlife and the ash cone if you take the longer route down. Once you’ve arrived at the gate, it’s time to tip your porters, guide, cook, and game ranger. You will be picked up and driven to your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha town for departure preparations. And this will be the end of your four days hike/ summit to the mount Meru.
Mount Meru can also be climbed in a period of 3 days although 4 days are more favorable to take part in.
