Meru national park is one of the less visited destinations in Kenya. The park is thus utterly unspoilt and pure and not many places can be compared to the remote and rugged atmosphere found here. The sister parks of Meru and Kora present a luxuriant jungle, verdant swamp, snaking rivers, gaunt termite cathedrals and khaki grasslands all under a great blue sky.
A trip to Meru national park will unleash sights of Grevy’s zebras, Bohor reedbucks, elephants, hartebeests,buffalos and reptiles including the pythons, cobras and puff adders. For bird lovers, the park has more than 427 recorded bird species.
Key features
Wildlife
The park is home to a number of mixed wildlife including both big and small game. Some of the common and major sightings include;
- Leopard, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Elephants, Eland, Bush Pig, Waterbuck, Cheetah, Hippopotamus, Bohor Reedbuck, Hartebeest, Python, Puff Udder, Cobra, Buffalo, more than 427 recorded species of birds
Birds
- More than 427 recorded species
Vegetation
The vegetation is dominated by thorny bush land in the North, wooded grasslands in the West and open grassland elsewhere. The park also offer dense riverine forests of Doum and Raffia palm
Park Size
870 sq. Km
Climate
The parks are part of the semi arid zone and have irregular rain patterns. Wet seasons are April- June and November- December. Rainfall is 635-762mm in the west and 305-356mm in the east
What to take with you
- Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight.
- Also useful are: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks
Activities
Camping, Game viewing, Scenic
How to get there
The park can be accessed by road and air.
- Roads:
- Driving 348 kilometers from Nairobi via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all weather roads. Access into the park from Maua to Murera Gate is (35 km) and 348 km from Nairobi.
- The other access is via Embu to Ura Gate (120 km), 290 km from Nairobi
- Airstrip:
- You fly to the main airstrip at Kina, Mulika next to Meru Mulika Lodge and Elsa’s Kopje airstrip
Attractions
There are not so many tourist attractions in Meru national park and that adds to the fact that it is less visited. If you are planning to visit the park, you can expect to see and do the following;
- Former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa the lioness
- Views of Mt Kenya
- Rivers and riverine habitats
- Tana river
- Adamson’s falls
