Meru National Park:  -Attractions, Activities, What to do

Located in Eastern slopes of Nyambene hills Meru National Park  is a perfect holiday retreat for wildlife safaris and adventures,  sight seeing, camping and relaxation. Meru National Park is often referred to as the Elsa's Country.

Meru National Park Attractions

The Elsa, Pipa, Joy and George Adamson's Story-A major attraction to Meru National Park is the story of Elsa, the lioness in the award winning film "Born free" fame, intertwined with that of Pipa the Cheetah, George and Joy Adamson.  Elsa was raised as a pet lion by Joy and George Adamson in Meru National Park.  The story of Elsa is told in the book Born Free and Living free. Later they released her into the wild where she successfully socialized with the wild lions and gave birth to her own cubs. Today, her descendants still roam the complete wilderness of Meru.  Upon her death, George Adamson buried her  in the park. Her grave is clearly marked and draws lots of people to the park.  Also some of  Joy' ashes were scattered on Elsa's grave upon her.  George Adamson was murdered in Kora National Park and buried in Meru National Park. His camp and grave attracts lots of visitors. Pipa the cheetah brought up by Joy is also buried in the park.

Wildlife:- In the early 1980's were characterized by intense poaching which reduced the parks large mammal population was

 reduced to almost zero.  The park has been painstakingly restocked to its former glory complete with a rhino sanctuary.  A game drive in the "complete wilderness" as Meru park is often called, where nature is in complete harmony.  The large mammal population has increased tremendously.  All the big five- Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Lion are adequately represented. 

Also in the park are cheetah, Lesser Kudu, Duiker,  Dik Dik, reticulated giraffes (Endangered), Grevy's zebra   (Endangered), eland, Oryx, Impalas,  gazelles, warthogs, baboons. Aquatic life include hippo and crocodile. Fishing for barbus and catfish is permitted at camp sites and along the Tana River.  Rhino Sanctuary:  The rhino sanctuary can be accessed from Murera gate.

Bird lovers will not be disappointed in Meru.  Over 300 species of birds have been recorded. 

Compared to other savannah parks, Meru National Park is lush for enjoys s slightly higher amount of rainfall.  The park is crisscrossed by 14 permanent streams and a large number of swamps.  The meaning of this is simple. Animals migrate into and rarely out of Meru National Pak.   Animals congregate in the swamps during dry season.  Notable swamps include- Mughwango, Mulika, Bwatherongi, Mururi and Leopard Rock.   Rivers and streams include Murera, Rojowero, Kiolu, Ura and Bwatherongi.  Tana River forms its southern boundary. An important pastime in Tana River is fishing for catfish and Barbus  

An important physical feature in the park is the Kilimanjeru hill.  From her peak, one enjoys panoramic views of the park.  The peaks of Mt Kenya a dominant feature seen clearly from every corner of the park.

There are several cultural centers within the boundaries of Meru National Park. In the cultural centers visitors learn the culture of the surrounding tribes- Boran and Meru.  Cultural exhibitions- likes and songs are organized for visitors.  Immediately outside of Murera gate is the Meru cultural center where visitors learn about the Meru, a bantu tribe occupying the eastern slopes of Mt Kenya. The Boran cultural center-Malka is located at Bisanadi gate.

Those interested in learning the Meru culture can visit the Meru Museum ( Meru Town), Rukungas Museum (slightly outside town) and Njuri Nceke at Nciru. The scenic Nkunga sacred lake, Kathita falls and King Muulu are other sites within Meru town.

Activities Meru National Park -What to do

This park  is about exclusivity.  Bird Watching, Picnics, Camping, Wildlife Safaris, Adventure and Cultural safaris can all be organized. Game and bird watching are best undertaken in the morning and evening.  Nature walks, rafting and fishing can be organized along Tana River.  Afternoons are best spent on cultural tours,  fishing, rafting or just relaxing at the hotel swimming pools.

Game Drives: Game drives are best undertaken at dawn or in the evening

Campsites/Camping

There are numerous campsites through out the park. Special Campsites include Kampi Baridi; Kitanga; Makutano; Rojoweru; Mugunga; Ken Mare and Kanjoo. These ones have no facilities and prior booking is required. Public campsites with showers are available at Bwatherongi Bandas.

Nature Walks:

The lodges and hotels in Meru Park have designed nature trails for walking and hiking safaris.  Walking safaris bring the visitor close to nature.  Walking safaris are accompanied by qualified guides with intimate knowledge of the park and animal behaviour.  Hiking trips are organized to Mt. Kilimanjaru, an extinct volcano.  From the top one has 360 degrees view of the park.  Guests can also go down the crater to explore the forest below.  Hikes are also organized to Kiolu River falls, a hidden gem in the park.

Mountain Bikes:

Guests can ride mountain bikes around the shambas (farms) and local villages where they have a chance to talk to the locals and learn of their culture.

Cultural Visits: To Meru cultural centre or Malka cultural centre, where you learn of the cultures of the local people.

Sundowners and Bush Meals: 

Most of the lodges will organize sundowners at strategic locations like Kilimanjeru where you can watch the sun set. Guest can enjoy lunches or dinners in the bush.

Massage: Rhino River Camp and Elsa's Kopje do have massage parlours. 

Fishing: Tana River

Getting to Meru National  Park:

Meru is accessible from any part of the world.  Whether you are in New York, California, Beijing, Tokyo or Sydney you can easily visit Meru.  Just fly into Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta.

Driving from Nairobi:

The park is linked to Nairobi by all whether road via Murera gate.  There are two routes:-From Nairobi (348 kms), via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru-Mau-Murera Gate via all weather road.  From Nairobi (348 kms), via Embu-Meru- Mau-Murera gate via all weather roads. The junction to the park is before you reach Mau town.   Gates include-Murera, Bisanadi, Ura, Kinna

Flights From Nairobi ( WIL) to Meru National Park

The park has a total of 16 airstrips. However only 4 (Kinna, Mulika, Masanduku, Murera) are mostly used. Currently there are no scheduled flights into the park. Every airstrip has a gate to facilitate visitor entry. Daily flights depart Nairobi Wilson Airport.  The flight schedules are as follows

 WIL-MERU NP FLT 861 DEP 0730 ARR 0815

Accommodation Meru National Park:- Meru  National Park Lodges / Meru Safari Lodges  /Meru town Hotels 

 Meru National Park is a destination of choice for nature lovers and features a Rhino Sanctuary.  Making it a home away from home are diverse accommodation facilities to cater for different categories of travellers.

Luxury Accommodation In Meru National Park

Rhino River Camp, Leopard Rock Lodge, Elsa's Kopje Lodge , Meru Mulika Lodge, Off Beat Campsite provide  luxury accommodation in the Park.  Luxury accommodation facilities rates vary between USD 300 per person to USD 600 PP per night.   Meru Mulika Lodge ( Temporally closed for renovation)is located a few metres from Murera gate.  Meru Mulika Lodge is currently under renovation. 

Mid Range Accommodation in Meru National Park

Mid range facilities are located outside Meru National Park include Ikweta Safari Camp and Murera River Camp

Ikweta Safari Camp

Ikweta Safari Camp is the only mid range facility providing full board services. Ikweta Safari Camp is located just two kilometres outside of Murera Gate.  Ikweta Safari Camp features Ten (10) spacious tents thatched in makuti and tastefully decorated in Safari-style and with high quality furniture including either twin or double beds. Excellent meals prepared from the freshest local produce. Large swimming pool and other amenities.

KWS Bandas:  Not to be left behind, the KWS runs their  best bandas in Meru National Park.

The Bwatherongi  Bandas -Self Catering :- With a swimming pool the Bwatherongi Bandas are some of the Best in Kenya.  Bwatherongi Bandas are well spaced giving each individual visitor utmost privacy. The Bandas are located on the banks of bwatherongi river.  Bwatherongi Bandas feature private bathrooms with hot showers. The cooking area is outside the bandas. 

Murera  Bandas -Self Catering:

Just inside the Murera Gate.  These are also self contained with hot showers.  They are well spaced giving each banda privacy. The bandas are located on the banks of Murera River across which is Bisanadi National Reserve.

Campsites/Camping

There are numerous campsites through out the park. Special Campsites include Kampi Baridi; Kitanga; Makutano; Rojoweru; Mugunga; Ken Mare and Kanjoo. These ones have no facilities and prior booking is required. Public campsites with showers are available at Bwatherongi Bandas.

Meru Hotels

Meru is a small agricultural town on the slopes of Mt.  Kenya. Budget hotels exist in Meru town.  The hotels in Meru town include the following:- Meru-Mwangaza-White-House-Hotel,  Gatimene Palm Springs, Meru Three Steers Hotel, Nevada Palace Hotel  West Wind Hotel Meru, Meru County, Blue Towers Hotel Min Rate, White Star Hotel,  Hotel Royal Prince, Meru Safari Hotel, Brown Rock Hotel, Milimani Hotel, Pig & Whistle:  The Pig & Whistle Hotel was built in 1930s.  It is in this hotels that Joy and George Adamson stayed resulting in Joys divorce from her second husband Peter Bally. 

To Book/ Reserve any of the above hotels email us: rnxploresafaris@gmail.com