| Introducing Kilimanjaro | | | | Mount Meru, which is the fifth highest peak in |
| Mount Kilimanjaro (5,892 m) is a mighty mountain | | | | Africa, and the second highest in Tanzania after |
| and a worthy test for an enthusiastic trekker. | | | | Kilimanjaro. Trekking up Meru makes ideal |
| Because it is the highest mountain in the continent | | | | preparation for a Kilimanjaro climb because it |
| of Africa it represents an obvious challenge and is | | | | affords an opportunity to acclimatize properly, and |
| ideal for people who want to experience dramatic | | | | many good Kilimanjaro trekking holidays will |
| trekking. Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano located | | | | incorporate Mount Meru into their itinerary for this |
| in the north of Tanzania near the border of | | | | reason. |
| Kenya, and close to the Equator. Its three peaks | | | | Like Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru was formed from |
| are separate volcanic cones called Shira, Kibo and | | | | volcanic activity, but Meru is still active, with its |
| Mawensi, with the icy Kibo reaching the furthest | | | | last recorded eruption in 1910. A major explosive |
| into the sky. | | | | eruption thousands of years ago is responsible for |
| | | | Mt Meru's unique shape. The eastern slope has |
| What people who embark on a Kilimanjaro | | | | collapsed leaving a concave shape called a caldera. |
| trekking holiday might not expect is the variety | | | | Viewed from above, from a plane or by satellite |
| of wildlife they are likely to see during their trip. | | | | imagery, it resembles a crescent moon. This |
| Those that climb Kilimanjaro above the tree-line | | | | caldera side faces Meru's larger cousin to the |
| (at around 2,700 metres) will trek through the | | | | west, Kilimanjaro. Trekking up Meru, you will be |
| mountain's National Park zone, chosen by UNESCO | | | | able to stop at the huts along the way, and you |
| as a World Heritage Site, with the lower region | | | | will pass through woodland and forests with |
| designated a game reserve. The neighbouring | | | | animals and plants you will probably never have |
| Arusha National Park has plenty to offer visitors in | | | | seen before. |
| the way of safari animals, and is more importantly | | | | Between Meru and Kilimanjaro |
| a chance for some essential acclimatisation on the | | | | Facing east from the summit of Meru you will see |
| park's Mount Meru (4,566 m) ahead of their | | | | 'Kili' in the distance, and on a day with good |
| Kilimanjaro trekking experience. | | | | visibility you may be able to make out some of |
| Arusha National Park lies just thirty miles from | | | | the features that lie between the two great |
| Kilimanjaro and is home to safari animals such as | | | | peaks. You'll be able to distinguish between the |
| giraffes, buffalo, zebra, klipspringer and dik dik, | | | | grasslands and the savannah scrub. The |
| which are species of tiny antelope. It is well worth | | | | Jekukumia River runs from one mountain towards |
| visiting Arusha during a Kilimanjaro trekking holiday | | | | the other. There are also the Momella Lakes |
| to see creatures such as blue monkeys and the | | | | which are tinged with algae colouring them blues |
| playful black-and-white Colobus monkey, which are | | | | and greens, with wading birds such as pink |
| usually elusive on safaris but are easily found here. | | | | flamingo. And of course, the horizon will be |
| You might also spot a species of bird called a | | | | dominated by Kilimanjaro climbing into the clouds. |
| Turaco, which is a green with quiff. | | | | After summiting Mount Meru, hopefully you will be |
| Mount Meru - Kili's Cousin | | | | ready for trekking Kilimanjaro, which will be the |
| As well as inhabiting the lowlands of the park you | | | | peak of your holiday in Africa. |
| might see these animals on the lower slopes of | | | | |