Standing at $4,566$ meters, Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and one of the most underrated trekking gems in Africa. Located in the heart of Arusha National Park, this dormant stratovolcano offers a raw and intimate climbing experience that is far less crowded than its famous neighbor, Kilimanjaro. The trek begins on the lower slopes, where you hike through open grasslands and dense montane forests alongside an armed ranger, providing a rare “walking safari” experience where you may encounter giraffes, buffalo, and colobus monkeys before even reaching the higher altitudes.The ascent of Mount Meru is celebrated for its spectacular scenery, particularly the dramatic horseshoe-shaped crater and the stark volcanic ash cone that sits within it. The final push to the summit, “Socialist Peak,” involves an exhilarating walk along a narrow, rocky ridgeline that offers some of the most breathtaking views in East Africa. At dawn, as the sun rises behind the silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance, the landscape is bathed in a golden glow, making the physical challenge of the steep climb feel like a small price to pay for such a profound sense of achievement.