Mount Meru Trekking – The “Other” Kilimanjaro

For climbers who want a challenge without the crowds of Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is an excellent alternative. The trek takes 3-4 days and is often described as more difficult than the Kilimanjaro summit day due to steeper sections and the need for a very early start on summit day.

Why climb Mount Meru?

• Fewer crowds – you may have the mountain almost to yourself

• Stunning views of Kilimanjaro from the summit (weather permitting)

• Experience a volcanic crater up close – the summit involves walking around the rim of a caldera

• Excellent acclimatization for a subsequent Kilimanjaro climb

• More affordable than Kilimanjaro (lower park fees, shorter duration)

Note: Mount Meru is an active volcano (last eruption ~100 years ago). The park authorities monitor volcanic activity closely.

The Momella Lakes – Pink Flamingos & Canoeing

The Momella Lakes are the park’s most accessible and photogenic attraction. You can view the lakes from the roadside, watching flamingos wade in the shallows with Mount Meru towering in the background.

Unique experience: Some tour operators offer canoeing on the Momella Lakes – a rare opportunity in Tanzanian national parks (most do not allow boating). Paddling silently across the lake, watching flamingos take flight around you, with the volcano as your backdrop, is an unforgettable experience.

Ngurdoto Crater – The View from Above

The Ngurdoto Crater rim offers a breathtaking viewpoint. You park your vehicle and walk a short distance to the rim, looking down into a steep-walled, grass-covered crater floor. Buffalo are almost always visible grazing below, and you can sometimes spot elephants, warthogs, and bushbucks.

The rim walk is also excellent for birdwatching – look for Verreaux’s eagles (also known as black eagles), which nest on the crater cliffs.

Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys

Arusha National Park is the best place in northern Tanzania to see black-and-white colobus monkeys. These striking primates have long, flowing white fur that contrasts dramatically with their black bodies. They live in the highland forest and are often seen leaping between trees or sitting quietly in the canopy. Unlike the vervet monkeys and baboons found elsewhere, colobus monkeys are primarily leaf-eaters and have a more serene, almost regal presence.

Other Wildlife

Mammals (by category):

• Common: Giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck, bushpig

• Primates: Black-and-white colobus monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, vervet monkey

• Rare: Elephant (small population, not guaranteed), leopard (rare, dawn/dusk), spotted hyena

• Missing: No lions in the park; no rhinos

Birds: Over 400 species recorded, including:

• Flamingos (Momella Lakes)

• Numerous water birds (pelicans, storks, herons, ibis)

• Forest birds (turaco, hornbills, barbets)

• Birds of prey (Verreaux’s eagle, augur buzzard, fish eagles)

The Fig Tree Arch (Tropical Forest Walk)

A short walk from the main road leads to the Fig Tree Arch – a massive wild fig tree whose roots have grown around a rock, creating a natural archway. This is a popular stop for photos and a good introduction to the highland forest ecosystem.