MSpirit Travel and Tours

MOUNT MERU

Mount Meru a volcanic mountain 4,566 Meters high, is  Tanzania’s second-highest mountain. While Meru appears as an almost perfect one peak when viewed from Arusha, it is raged when seen from other parts. For example, from the east it shows a series of hills, the effect of the  catadysmic volcanic event which a quarter of a million years ago blew away the entire Eastern top of the mountain-which was once taller than Kilimanjaro and in a series of gigantic explosions, hurled bounders over 70km to the  east and unleashed a devastating flood of water, rocks mud creating the different landscapes. Although the volcano is now classed as dormant, earth tremors still occur and a serious of minor eruption were recorded in colonial time the most recent being in 1910.

For some visitors climbing the mountain is sometimes treated as an acclimatization trip before an attempt on Kilimanjaro. 

 Although the summit is over a kilometrelower the climb can be just as rewarding as climbing Kilimanjaro, with spectacular scenery and dense forest. The mountains Vegetation zone are similar to Kilimanjaro’s though the high altitude glacier and ice fields are absent. The mountain has short periods when it is snow covered - during the rainy season. The forest vegetation include giant bamboo thickets which offer an ideal habitat for small Antelopes and Primates, notably the Blue monkey and black and white (Colobus) monkeys, which are often seen by climbers.

The forest disappears at around 2,900 m above sea level, giving way to floral meadows where you might spot buffalo, giraffe or warthog. Then followes a zone of giant Lobelia and finally above the last of the tree line, at 3,400 meters, follows a  bleak alpine desert where on entry, the sound of white nicked ravens cries will catch your ears. Be prepared to protect yourself against the strong winds sometimes.

NGURDOTO CRATER AND MOMELA LAKES

The highlights of the eastern section of the park covering the forest foothills of mount Meru are the Momella Lake and Ngurdoto crater. Both can be visited on an organized day trip from Arusha .Walking may be possible in the area if accompanied by a Park Ranger. But a lot is still to be done to make full exploitation of the riches of this Treasure.

The Momella Lake in the northeast of the park comprise seven shallow, alkaline lake formed from the volcanic debris created when mount Meru blew its top 250,000 years ago.

The alkalinity is ideal for various forms of algae which account for the lakes opague. Other shades of emerald and tortoise and provide an ideal habitat for fitter feeders birds like flamingos and other birds like pelcans,ducks and host of migrats, especially between May and October. One can spot black and white colobus monkeys, bush Bucks, Buffaloes, Hippos, Giraffe and Zebra around the Momella lake.   Apart from foottreck adventure, there is posibility of Sports like canoeing and Kayaking. For this a fee payable to the national Park in additional to standard park fees and transport is required. So make sure that when booking you are prepared for this.

Like Ngorongoro, Ngurdoto plays host to a rich variety of wildlife including buffaloes, elephants, baboons and occasionally rhinos. 

Again this is just a short introduction. Take sometime to read more on the Tanzanian National Parks Website:-  http://www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz

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Arusha National Park

         Arusha National Park was established in 1960. In 1967 N. MERU become a part of the park. Dominating the park is the volcanic mountain Meru (4,566 M) Tanzania’s second-highest mountain. While Meru appears as an almost perfect when viewed from Arusha, from the east it shows the effect of the  catadysmic volcanic event which a quarter of a million years ago blew away the entire Eastern top of the mountain-which was once taller than Kilimanjaro, in a series of gigantic explosions which hurled bounders over 70km to the  east and unleashed a devastating flood of water, rocks mud. Although the volcano is now classed as dormant, earth tremors still occur and a serious of minor eruption were recorded in colonial time the most recent being in 1910.

The national park and its fringing forest reserve encloses much of the mountain including the 3.5km wide main crater on the summit and the entire shattered eastern slope, as well as mountain's eastern foothills. Here you will find Ngurdoto after an unbroken three-kilometre-wide caldera whose wild life has earned it the nickname “little Ngorongoro” and the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes, known for their birdlife, especially flamingos. The kind of Wildlife you are likely to see includes buffaloes (especially in forest glades, elephants which are responsible for creating the glade, Hippos, Giraffes, Warthogs, Antelope, Zebra, Black-and White (colobus) and blue monkeys, Leopards and hyenas are present but rarely seen. There are no resident lions and while there are also some extremely rare black rhinos, the park authorities are understandably loath to make too much noise about them given the present risk from poachers. There are also 575 bird species and plenty of butterflies. If you love the wilderness and mountains, you should visit this National Park. We will be happy to take you on this Safari whether you are one or a group. Let us know your interest. Send us an Email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.