Mount Meru is a beautiful feature of Tanzania, it used to be Africa’s highest mountain until recently when it erupted, forming a horseshoe-shaped summit that rises to 4566 meters above sea level, and the stunning beauty of the backdrop of the mountain in Arusha city is amazingly eye-catching, it is the 5th highest mountain of Africa said to have been formed during the formation of the great east African rift valley, the Mountain Kilimanjaro often shadows it however it offers just as great experiences as the other, the angelic mountain is placed within Arusha national park in northern Tanzania.
Driving to Mount Meru begins from the country’s major entry points like the Kilimanjaro International Airport, Dar-es-Salaam International Airport or any other entry point, upon landing, you will be required to go through immigration where you will need to provide a valid passport at least 6 months until the date of expiry, visa, yellow fever vaccination card, and any other important travel documents. Arusha is the best starting point to the Mount Meru, drives can be done privately or by use of public means. Privately can be on self-drive using a hired car or personal, but you will be required to hire a guide at the park entrance, the best option is to use your tour operator who will pick you up directly from the airport to the park entrance they commonly use 4×4 safari land cruisers to manoeuvre around the African wilderness.
Driving to Mount Meru will get you to Arusha National Park, it is mandatory to pay park entrance fees to be allowed to enter the part to the hiking point, the mountain has several routes that will guide you during the climbing, the momella route most popular to be used, climbing Mount Meru is not as tedious as the Mount Kilimanjaro it is important to be prepared for the hike, ensure to bring proper sleeping bags, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, warm clothing’s, and any other important items of personal nature. Hiring a guide during this trek is mandatory. Driving to Mount Meru is the best possible way to reach the park, guest can fly into the Arusha airport but will still need a ground transfer to the park.
Things to do while in the national park include Mountain Climbing, despite Meru being shadowed by the Mountain Kilimanjaro, it is one of the best hiking places to go to, it takes 2-4 days during the hike through the momella route. Game drives in the Arusha National Park begin in the early morning in search of the game expect to see animal species like giraffes, African elephants, buffaloes, zebras, baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys to mention a few.
In conclusion, Driving to Mount Meru is always a scenic drive through the amazing countryside of Tanzania, it can be visited any time of the year but is best during the dry season when the trails of the park are drier and easier to hike.