Mount Meru is a spectacular dormant volcano located within Arusha National Park in northern Tanzania. Rising to 4,566 meters (14,980 feet), it stands as the second-highest peak in Tanzania and the fifth-highest in Africa. Despite being overshadowed by Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru offers one of the most scenic and rewarding trekking experiences on the continent. Its forested lower slopes, dramatic volcanic cliffs, and wildlife-rich trails provide hikers with an adventure that combines natural beauty, altitude, and unique geological formations.

For trekkers preparing to climb Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru serves as an excellent acclimatization climb due to its steep elevation gain and multi-day trekking route. Its trails pass through lush montane forests filled with buffalo, giraffes, colobus monkeys, and numerous bird species. As hikers ascend, the scenery changes dramatically, opening up to volcanic ash cones, jagged ridges, and breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro itself, just 70 km away.

The summit of Mount Meru, known as Socialist Peak, offers one of the most dramatic vistas in Tanzania. Standing above the giant horseshoe-shaped crater, trekkers witness sunrise illuminating Kilimanjaro in the distance and casting shadows across the crater walls. With fewer crowds than Kilimanjaro and equally rewarding scenery, Mount Meru is the perfect blend of adventure, tranquility, and raw natural beauty.