Mount Meru Waterfall Hike

Mount Meru is home to many incredible waterfalls, which pour down from the volcanic slopes. After a night of heavy rain, I made a day trip to explore one of the largest waterfalls at the base of Mount Meru, aptly named Mount Meru Waterfall.

This adventure involves a steep motorbike drive up a rocky road followed by a jungle stairway that leads you down into a gorge. Once inside, you wade through the river, clambering over rocks until you meet the intense falls that spray with incredible force at its base. A remarkable sight and only a few kilometers from the town, the Mount Meru waterfall is one of the top things to do in Arusha.

MOUNT MERU HIKE DETAILS

• Hike Distance:The total distance of the hike is roughly 4-5km out and back (return trip)
• Hike Duration:Heading from the ticket office down to the waterfall and directly back should take about 1.5-2 hours.
• Hike Difficulty:This trail is moderately difficult due to slippery conditions and wading through the river. Most people with average fitness and a sense of adventure will be okay as it is nothing technical. Be prepared to get wet.
• Hike Incline: 200 meters.

WHERE IS THE MOUNT MERU WATERFALL

I’ll be honest, I’m still confused as to all of the names of these waterfalls near Mount Meru. Normally I try and give highly accurate information and google map pins to help you explore but there are just too many different waterfalls labeled as Mount Meru Waterfall. Even my local guide told me it was called Mount Meru Waterfall.

However, when I search it on google images there are 4-5 different falls all seemingly sharing the same name, including the falls that I passed on the final day of the Mount Meru volcano trek. Having said that, I will give you directions to reach the Mount Meru Waterfall that I visited, which was definitely worth visiting and reminded me a lot of Sekumpul Falls in Bali due to the extreme force smashing down at the base of the falls.

Mount Meru Waterfall is inside the Meru Conservation Area and just above the Themi Leisure Park. To reach this area you will need to take a boda-boda (motorbike) up the rocky, muddy hill. A tuk-tuk won’t get you up there. It is one kilometer past the Themi Leisure Park. On the left, there is a driveway that veers up towards the entrance of the Meru Conservation Area.

Below is the location for the top of Waterfall Road where you will find the entrance to Meru Conservation Area although this pin is not the exact location of the entrance as it isn’t on Google Maps. Just remember to go one kilometer past Themi Leisure Park (which is on Google Maps).

PERMITS AND GUIDES FOR THE MOUNT MERU WATERFALL

Once you pass through the gates of the Meru Conservation Area you will find a ticketing office where you will pay the entrance fee of $12 USD per person and will likely be met by some eager lads looking to be your guide.

It is required in this area to take a guide and despite my reluctance, I will admit that they are very useful on this hike. Firstly, there are no signs and the path isn’t on maps.me or any other maps. They also show you the local angles, and tricks to get over some of the rocks, boulders, and steep sections of the trail.

I think the guide fee is $15, which is quite a bit for this short trek. They may try and make you take two but there’s no need and I think it’s just so they have a mate to hang out with. Ask for just one guide and expect to pay about $15 for the guide