Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan national park located East of Meru, 350 km (220 mi) from Nairobi, covering an area of 870 km2 (340 sq. mi), it is the best known national parks in Kenya. Meru was one of the two areas in which conservationists George Adamson and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness made famous in the best-selling book and award- winning movie Born free, Elsa the lioness was buried in this park and the part of Joy’s ashes were scattered on her gravesite. The park was established in 1968 and is referred to as a remote and rugged wilderness to thrill while Kenya Safaris .
Attractions of Meru National Park.
Wildlife.
The park is a home of mixed wildlife including both big and small animals, which are varied and plentiful and some of the common and major sightings include; Leopard, Reticulated giraffe, Grey’s zebra, elephants, eland, bush pig, waterbuck, cheetah, hippopotamus, Bohor Reedbuck, Hartebeest, Python, Puff udder, cobra, buffalo and among others.
Birds.
Meru national park is an excellent birding destination with over 300 bird species including the Common Ostrich, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, Struthio Camelus, Struthio molybdophanes, Dendrocygna bicolor and among many more. The park as well has several northern Kenya specials like the impressive Somali Ostrich, Boran cisticola, vulturine guineafowl and among others. River safaris are one of the best ways to capture sightings of some of the bird species that live along the banks, Ostrich can be found in some of the bushy grasslands.
Former home of Joy and Adamson and Elsa the lioness.
Meru national park is the location where the famous George and Joy Adamson raise the lioness named Elsa, the story was shared through the book and movie of which were named Born Free.
The Tana river and Adamson’s Falls.
In Meru National park the Tana River and Adamson’s falls, are also key features of the national park, Adamson’s falls is a cascading waterfall a cross rugged rocky terrain.
Activities done in Meru National park.
Camping.
Meru national park is wild, one of the most beautiful in Kenya, ideal for camping, picnics, adventures and safaris. With 14 permanent rivers and numerous springs, it is green paradise compared to dry savannah of Kenya’s parks. Meru is also referred to as ‘’Born Free’’ country, kunya’s best kept secret.
Game Drives.
In Meru national park, the four- wheel drive vehicles and professional guides are at your disposal to explore the bush at your pace, and enjoy a vivid, personal connection with some of the magnificent creatures that call this area home, all the guides here in Meru national park are all members of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association.
Bird watching.
Meru national park is the best bird watching destination with a diverse avifauna, with over 300 species recorded. The threatened Jungle Babbler, which has avery restricted –range in central Kenya, has recently been documented, near Kindani and Nyati camps in the south – west part of the park. Meru has one of the eight species of Kenya Mountains Endemic Bird Area and fifty- nine of the 94 Somali –Masai biome species that occur in Kenya. Regionally threatened species recorded here, include the Martial Eagle, African FinFoot (an intra- African migrant), Pel’s Fishing-Owl, Grants’ Wood hoopoe and the Saddle- billed Stork which is known to breed in this area.
Nature walks.
Meru national park with the headship of the trained game ranger, guests can enjoy nature walks at the park as the ranger escorts them, the park does not allow the walks of the guests with no rangers as it risks the life of the guests, as guests walks around rivers, walking close to the wildlife on foot.
Fishing.
Fishing is also done at Meru National park, the activity is done around Meru’s many rivers, here you settle down with a fishing rod in the shade of the fringed palms that line the river’s banks.
Best time to visit Meru national park.
The long cool- dry season from July to October is widely- recognised as the best time to visit Meru national park, with little to no new precipitation, seasonal watering holes evaporate and vegetation is spare which favours various activities done in the park including the game drives, nature walks and others.
Where to stay in Meru National park.
Meru national park has various accommodations ranging from the budget, mid- range, and luxury accommodation and these includes the Ikweta safari camp, Leopard Rock lodge, Elsa’s Kopje, Rhino River camp, Meru Kenya, Jungle Green Resort and among other.
Meru National Park Entrance Fees.
| Category | Citizen(Kshs) | Residents (Kshs) | Non- Residents (USD) |
| Adults | 250 | 250 | 30 |
| Child | 200 | 200 | 20 |
How to get to Meru National Park.
Meru National park can be accessed by both road and air transport from Nairobi to Meru national ark.
By Road Transport.
Meru National Park is located 355km/220mi northeast of Nairobi and 60km/37mi east from Meru town, many people visit Meru by 4×4 on an organized Kenya safari while visiting several other parks. This takes you 6 hr 53 min using A2 at 334.8km and 6 hr 48 minutes using A3 at 348.7km to reach Meru national park.
By Air Transport.
There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to one of the two airstrips inside the park. Charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of their tour package, scheduled flights to Meru National Park can be booked with Air Kenya and leave from Wilson Aiport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi. This takes you 35 minutes to reach Meru National park.
Meru National Park is unique park in Kenya because of the conservationist Joy Adamson and the film based on her book ‘’ Born Free’’, Meru National Park is a home to 13 rivers, as well as a wide range of diverse habitats, it is a paradise for bird watcher’s, as several rare bird species are found here in the park.
