Climbing to Kilimanjaro’s Little Sister
Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania at 4566m. Located 70 kilometers west of Mount Kilimanjaro, it stands inside Arusha National Park. For those seeking a shorter and less busy alternative to Kilimanjaro or in preparation for a Kilimanjaro ascent, we recommend a climb to the summit of Mount Meru. It deserves respect as a formidable peak – no less stunning than its more famous peer, and offers a challenging and highly satisfying 3- or 4-day climb.
The forest on the lower slopes of Meru hosts diverse wildlife, including dik dik, baboon, giraffe, nearly 400 species of birds, and more. For safety, a park ranger accompanies all climb teams at the lower elevations.
On Meru all hikers sleep in huts located along the trail. The final ascent starts at around midnight in order to reach the summit at sunrise and where one can admire views as far as Kenya.