Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, it is a conical volcanic mountain reaching 4,566 meters above sea level, it is said to have once been the highest mountain in Africa but is now the 5th highest, following its recent eruption in 1910, it went lower than the neighbouring Mount Kilimanjaro, the mountain is within Arusha national park, the conservation area was declared a park in 1960 together with the areas of Momella lakes and Ngurdoto crater, it is home to abundant wildlife species through the montane forest. The strategic location of the conservation area has made it a visited more often, it is approximately 30 kilometres from Arusha town.
Mount Meru is known for its diverse ecosystem, while the mountain itself is shadowed by mountain Kilimanjaro it still offers the best wildlife views and this is the reason for the visit and the centre of attention to hikers in the region, it is home to several wildlife species including the so-called big five of the wilderness, example animal type are African elephants, these are mostly spotted in the montane forest and grasslands, Buffaloes are encountered in the grassy plains and Momella lakes region, giraffes interestingly the park harbours both the Masai giraffes, and the smaller gerenuk and antelopes of different species, like bushbucks, waterbucks, and dikdik primates of the park include black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, to mention a few.
Wildlife in Mount Meru includes over 400 species of birds, the conservation area is a paradise of birds some of the notable species include flamingoes, African fish eagles, African harrier hawks, pelicans, falcons, and crowned eagles, to mention a few, these are best viewed during the wet season when the park receives migratory species, to enjoy the experience it is important to bring binoculars and good cameras.
Wildlife in Mount Meru is best seen during the dry season between the months of December- February and June-September when the trails are much drier and easier to access, the grasses thin out which makes it possible to view wildlife species, the animals gather around water sources as well in the dry season. During the wet season is possible to view wildlife but it comes rather with difficulty, it is more than possible not to view a thing during this time.
Wildlife in Mount Meru presents a chance to do game drives, these are conducted in the morning, afternoon and evening times in search of game using 4×4 wheel car drive to beat the tough terrain of the African wilderness, the drives last from 2-3 hours with an experienced guide who is knowledgeable about the park.
Besides wildlife in Mount Meru, the park is best visited for mountain climbing, the peak gives beautiful views of the surroundings, climbing takes 4-5 days to reach the summit through the momella route, and there are huts en route that offer accommodation to travellers hiking the mountain, it is mostly done alongside the Kilimanjaro hike.
In conclusion, there is abundant wildlife around the slopes of Mount Meru, trips to the destination can be combined with those of other conservation areas of northern Tanzania like the Serengeti National Park.