Arusha National Park and Mount Meru
From the entrance to Miriakamba Huts
[Please note that the photos are a mix of nine different treks.]
The trek to the summit of Mount Meru in the Arusha National Park is done in 4 days. On day 1, we leave the hotel to go to the park, and after checking-in with the rangers, we begin our walk toward the first huts at 2500 metres. On day 2, we walk to the second huts at 3500 metres. On day 3, it's the climb to the summit, then we come back to the same huts as the night before. Finally, on day 4, we go down to the exit and leave the park.
After the check-in at Momela Gate, we go through a forested area where it is possible to see wild animals. The first interesting highlight is this giant fig tree shaped like an arch. A small van can go through it.
Yes, it's a not so good picture of far away giraffes... I am showing you these photos of the time I was a guide more or less ten years after the fact. If you have seen pictures from my trip with a van, you saw some that are way nicer than this one. However, imagine the first time I am in Africa...
It is my first photo with African animals. Even though they were far away, I was so happy to see them and to take a picture; it was a moment of pure joy. At that time, I didn't have any specific plan except to do my job as a guide. I was in no way thinking that I would be spending the next two years guiding, and four more years exploring Africa with a van. But it is another story that you can check in the category East Africa and Southern Africa.
During the first day with a climb of 1000 metres, we walk through several ecosystems. The forest around Mount Meru is lush due to the constant humidity. Even though it's not raining every day, cloud formations around the mountain provide enough moisture just by condensation.
The first night, we sleep at the Miriakamba Huts located at 2500 metres. Already at this height, it is possible to feel the effects of altitude; nothing bad, but one can be a little more tired than at normal time.
On the photo, the refuge can be seen in the background as well as the summit of Mount Meru. It seems like an easy climb, but it is nevertheless some 2000 metres above where we are currently located.
From the huts, the views on the plain and the sunset are magnificent. Far away lies the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, our next destination after this trek.
Trail to the Saddle Huts
The next day, we continue the trek to the Saddle Huts at 3500 metres. The effect of the altitude slows us down. Despite that, the day is not too difficult and the people are proud and happy to complete another leg.
The type of vegetation changes progressively with altitude. At 2500 metres, there are still many large trees, but when we arrive at 3500 metres, there are only shrubs left.
On location at the huts, there are superb views on the plain, Mount Meru, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The crater
On the third day, we get up at midnight in order to start walking some 30 minutes later. The goal is not only to reach the summit for dawn, and enjoy the sunrise, but also to avoid clouds spoiling the view from the summit. A short time after dawn, clouds start to form quite fast, and they completely hide the views. Of course, there are some days that are clear, but it is impossible to predict them.
Mount Meru is not the ash cone in the centre of this photo, but the crater on which we are currently walking. It is a huge crater with a side completely collapsed.
On the following panorama, it's easy to see that a better part of the crater wall is gone. Scientists estimate that the wall collapsed some 7800 years ago, but the volcano itself is some 250 000-year-old. The ash cone in the centre probably appeared around 1910 during a minor eruption.
Happiness at the Summit
Here is the summit of Mount Meru, Socialist Peak, at 4562.13 m (old measurement) or 4566 metres according to new estimates. It was a tough climb, at a snail's pace, due to the effect of the altitude that hits us with full force. Short of breadth, with possibly a small headache, we are nevertheless very happy to have reached the summit.
The nicest gift, apart from the pride of having climbed it, is the fantastic views all around the crater.
Going Down
On the way down, we stop again at the Saddle Huts at 3500 metres. It is possible to go down to the huts at 2500 metres, but sleeping another night at a higher height helps the body to better adapt to altitude. We need our body to improve since Mount Kilimanjaro is about 1300 metres higher than Mount Meru.
Back at the huts, we simply relax and we enjoy again some superb views and the sunset.
