Meru Park National Park Holidays - 4days-Fly Drive Safari Package Safari Highlights: Tel/ WhatsApp +254723684974
Meru National Park Attractions, Tourist Activities, accommodation Lodges, safaris and Holidays, contact GSR, call, Tel:/ Whatsapp +254723684974 for complete information on where to stay, what to do, game drives, sundowners, nature walks, bird watching, hiking, trekking, cultural tours and camping safaris, excursion to Tana River, visits to graves of Elsa and Pipa, resident wildlife-birds, mammals; Available accommodation lodges, best offers, Prices, discounted daily rates of luxury, top of range game lodges like Elsa's Kopje USD 599, Leopard Rock Lodge USD, Rhino River Lodge, Offbeat Camp, Ikweta Safari Lodge USD 150, Murera River Lodge, Bwatherongi, Kinna, Ura Bandas, Wardens's House, hotels, tented camps, and campsites, car hire and rental.
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Meru Park National Park Holiday - 4days-Fly Drive Safari Package Safari Highlights:
Spectacular sight seeing, wildlife and bird watching spotting. Contact with some culturally diverse Meru and Boran people. Meru National Park was the home of conservationists Joy and George Adamson . It is here they raised Elsa the star lioness of the born free fame. With 300 species recorded, Meru offers superb bird watching. It is also a cultural melting pot, a meeting point of the Boran and the Meru people. The Meru Cultural centre is at Murera Gate. At Bisanadi Gate is the Malka cultural centre of the Boran.
4days-Fly Drive Safari Package Safari Detailed Program
Day1: Flight Nairobi / Meru National park
Breakfast and transfer to Wilson Airport to catch your flight to Meru National Park. The flight takes 1hour 20 minutes. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your lodge/ tented camp by our qualified naturalist. On the way to your lodge, you are likely to sight some of the wildlife the park is famous for. Lunch is followed by relaxation at the lodge/ lodge swimming pool, library or your room. A sundowner game drive awaits you in the cool of the day. Dinner and overnight at either Elsa's Kopje, Leopard Rock, Off Beat Campsite, Rhino River camp or Ikweta Safari Camp .Day2: Meru National park Safari
A pre-dawn game drive and return to the lodge/ camp for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for another game drive and return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. At 16:30 Hrs a sundowner game drive and return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight at either Elsa's Kopje, Leopard Rock, Off Beat Campsite Rhino River camp or Ikweta Safari CampDay 3: Full Day Meru National Park
A pre-dawn game drive and return to the lodge/ camp for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for another game drive and return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. At 16:30 Hrs a sundowner game drive and return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight at either Elsa's Kopje, Leopard Rock, Off Beat Campsite Rhino River camp or Ikweta Safari CampDay 4: Fly Meru- Nairobi
Early morning game drive and return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast transfer to the airstrip to catch your flight back to Nairobi.Scheduled Flights From Nairobi To Meru National Park
Meru National Park Attractions: Summary
Visitor/ tourist attractions in Meru National Park attractions comprise of (1) the location or destination itself (Meru National Pak), (2) what visitors see (attractions) or objects of tourist/ visitor gaze within or without the park, (3) what visitors do, activities available for visitors and events on offer, the rich culture of the local people and (4)the visitor experience at various points of contact with the locals and other visitors.
Meru National Park Attractions And Activities
Meru National Park Attractions: Introduction
The location or destination itself
Meru National Park and the surrounding Meru Conservation Area. This includes the history and geography of Meru National Park and the surrounding area.
What visitors see (attractions)
visible, eye catching objects of tourist/ visitor gaze within or without the park. This include:
- Wildlife-plants and animals within the park- animal and plants life within the park- mammals, birds, reptiles, plants within and without the park
- Physical features- Mountains, Rivers, Valleys, Hills. Rivers include Tana River and 13 streams. Mountains like Mt Kenya, Hills like Nyambene, Mugwongo, Kilimanjeru
- The unique culture of the local people like Meru, Borana, Tharaka, Kamba. Culture is a way of life of a people, what differentiate a people from people. Among the diverse elements of culture are language, religion, events, beliefs, values, symbols, norms, taboos, folklore, education, sports, music and dance, dining, architecture, dressing, art and craft, economic activities
Activities/ What visitors do
Activities available for visitors and events on offer, the rich culture of the local people. No to be missed is the annual weeklong Meru cultural festival held at Murera Gate. Activities like game drives, birding or bird watching, canoeing/ boatrides in Tana River, sundowners, bush tours, hiking
The visitor experience at various points of contact with the locals and other visitors.
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Among the top 10 tourist/ visitor attractions in Meru National Park include:
- Mammals includes- Lion, elephant, cheetah, leopard ,Lesser Kudu, duiker, Dik Dik, buffalo, reticulated giraffes (Endangered), black and white rhinos, Grevy's zebra (Endangered), eland, Oryx, Impalas, buffaloes. Black and white Rhinos ( Endangered).
- Aquatic life include hippo and crocodile.
- Fishing for barbus and catfish is permitted at camp sites and along the Tana River.
- Uninterrupted view of Mt Kenya.
- Over 300 species of birds recorded.
- Adamson's grave and camp
- Pippa's Grave- Pipa was Cheater brought up by Joy Adamson.
- Elsa's Grave-Elsa was the lioness of the born free fame.
- Swamps- Mughwango, Mulika, Bwatherongi, Mururi and Leopard Rock. Animals congregate in the swamps during dry season
- Rivers- a total of 14 permanent rivers and numerous streams including Murera, Rojowero, Kiolu, Ura, Bwatherongi. Tana River forms its southern boundary.
- Rhino Sanctuary: The rhino sanctuary can be accessed from Murera gate.
- Cultural centers- Meru cultural center outside Murera gate and Malka (Boran) cultural center outside Bisanadi Gate.
The Elsa Story
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. Pipa the cheetah brought up by Joy is also buried in the park. George Adamson was murdered in Kora National Park and buried in Kora National Park. His camp and grave attracts lots of visitors.
Meru National Park Attractions Activities/ What to do and see
What to do in Meru National Park?
Attractions determines what to do (activities) in any destination. Meru park is about exclusivity. Among the top 10 visitor Activities in Meru National Park include:
- Bird Watching- over 300 species of birds recorded. Game and bird watching are best undertaken at dawn or at dusk.
- Picnics and sundowners are organized with the local hotels
- Camping- lots of campsites spread out within the park
- Game drives and wildlife Safaris
- Cultural safaris to visit local borana and meru people.
- Nature walks or bush walks
- rafting and fishing can be organized along Tana River
- Climbing Mt. Kilimanjero
- Mountain Biking
Afternoons are best spent on cultural tours, fishing, rafting or just relaxing at the hotel swimming pools.
Local Communities
The larger Meru conservation area is a cultural melting pot and the success of the Park depends on the generosity of the local communities. To the west of the park on the slopes of Nyambene hills are the agricultural Meru with hectares of Miraa (Catha edulis) Tea and Coffee . Other communities bordering the park are Kamba ,the Borana and Orma pastoralists. A visit to the Park is not only about the big five experience but also a good opportunity to meet and interact with these communities, learn about their culture with long traditions of conservation. Always bear in mind that without their sacrifice, there would be no Meru Park.
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By GSR / 1 hour agoNgorongoro Serengti Safari 6 days
By GSR / 1 hour agoSelous, Udzungwa, Mikumi 11 days
By GSR / 1 hour agoVehicle:
All the main roads to the Park have been upgraded. Thus it can be accessed by a standard vehicle. A sedan can access Mulika Lodge, Leopard Rock Lodge, Kina Park headquarters and Bwatherongi Bandas . However to fully enjoy the park, you need a 4WD. From Meru town you can easily hire a car to the park from the tour operator office:-
Car Hire In Meru National Park
R&N Car Hire, 1st Flr. Doris House, Tom Mboya Street, Meru, Kenya, Tel:+254 723 684 974, Email: rnxploresafaris@gmail.com . Open throughout the week between 08:00-17:00 Hrs.
Restocking of Meru National Park
In the 1970's the park boasted of more than three hundred Black Rhinos. By 1997, this population had been reduced to zero. The plan right now is to re-introduce about 30 Black Rhinos. After the 1989 massacre of the white Rhinos, the lone survivor Mukora was re-located to Lake Nakuru. In 2002, seven White Rhinos, including Mukora were once more re-introduced from Lake Nakuru National Park. Restocking Meru National Park will go in conservation books as one of the largest big mammal translocation undertaken in human history. In total 66 Elephants trans-located from Laikipia Private- Sweet Waters game sanctuary and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Whole families have been trans-located to avoid disruption of family bonds. Besides Elephants and Rhinos other translocations include:- 20 Grevy's Zebra. The Grevy's Zebra is highly venerable to extinction. In 2003, 39 reticulated giraffes were trans-located from Lewa Conservancy making a total of 51 of these rare species in Meru park.
Accommodation Meru National Park:
Accommodation in Meru National Park vary from the most basic-camping to the most luxurious world class lodges to cater for diverse needs of the visitors. Accommodation comprise of Safari Lodges, Town Hotels, Tented Camps, campsites and Kws bandas(huts). Meru Park is a holiday 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
Rhino River Camp
Leopard Rock Lodge
Elsa's Kopje Lodge
Meru Mulika Lodge
Off Beat Campsite
KINNA Guesthouse
( High Season- Apr, Aug, Dec USD 300; Rest of the year USD 250 for entire House). Resident Rates KES 18000 High season; KES 15000) Built by the First Warden Mr. Peter Jenkins in the1960s, the guesthouse is 20Km from Murera gate and less than a kilometer from Kinna Airstrip. The guest house has total capacity of 10 pax.
Meru Mulika Lodge
(Temporally closed for renovation) is located a few meters from Murera gate.
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 (USD 150 Double FB)
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.
Budget Facilities In Meru NP
KWS Bandas:- Bwatherongi, Kinna and Murera.
- 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.
Accommodation in Meru Town
Those visiting Meru National Park can ovdernight at Meru Town. Meru is a small agricultural town on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. Meru is approximately 85 Km from Murera Gate.
Accommodation in Meru Town
Budget hotels exist in Meru town. The hotels in Meru town include the following:-
- Meru Three Steers
- Alba Hotel
- Meru Slopes Hotel
- Meru Elsa Hotel
- Meru-Mwangaza-White-House-Hotel
- Gatimene Palm Springs
- Meru Three Steers Hotel
- Nevada Palace Hotel
- West Wind Hotel Meru
- Blue Towers
- White Star Hotel
- Hotel Royal Prince
- Brown Rock Hotel
- 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.
Places of interest within Meru Town
The town is an agricultural centre. Tourism is not prevalent thus if you desire a hassle free cool place, you can use it as a base to explore the slopes of Mt. Kenya and Laikipia. The town is surrounded by agricultural farmlands. Wheat and horticulture plantations occupy the Timau region adjacent to Lewa Conservancy. An interested visitor with intentions to mingle with the locals can sample the following:-
- Meru Museum: Formerly a District Commissioner's Office was built in 1916. The Museum is ethnographic exhibiting the Culture of the local people. On display are various tools, artefacts, local geology, stuffed mammals and birds. Besides the museum has a traditional homestead, a crocodile and snake pit and various herbs.
- The Njuri Ncheke (Council of elders) headquarters at Nciru to learn how justice was dispensed in the old days among the locals.
- The Gakoromone open air market for stocking up and chatting with the locals. Just carry loose change to use in the market and be careful of pick pockets.
- Lake Nkunga picnic site can be visited with arrangement.
- Rukunga's private museum. Visit the King Muhuru.
Swimming is available at the Golf Club and Fred's Academy and Thiiri Center. The pool at the Golf Club is good and its rarely used
Other Attractions
Bisanadi National Reserve
To the East park lies Bisanadi National Reserve. It is located at the border of Meru and the Borana people. Opened in 1979 it occupies an area of 606Km². It accessible by 4WD vehicles is ideal for camping. There is an airstrip at Korbessa.
Kora National Park
Kora National Park : Across Tana River covering an area of 1,787 square kilometers. It is in Kora National park that George Adamson was murdered in his camp. Kora is full of Inselbergs, rocky outcrops covered with vegetation that seem to appear randomly above the plains. Mammal life include elephant, Lesser Kudu, wild dog, striped and spotted hyenas, leopard and cheetah. 21 species of fish have been recorded, with 500 species of insect, 33 molluscs and 40 reptiles.
National Parks
Kenya National Parks
- Aberdare National Park
- Amboseli National park
- Bisinadi National Park
- Buffalo Springs N. Reserve
- Kora National Park
- Lake Nakuru National park
- Maasai Mara N. Reserve
- Meru National Park
- Mt. Kenya National Park
- Samburu National Reserve
- Shaba National Reserve
- Tsavo East National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
Tanznaia National Parks
- Serengeti National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Ngorongoro National Park
- Tarangire National Park
- Arusha National Park
- Selous
- National Park
- Mikumi National Park
- Udzungwa National Park
- Ruaha National Park
- Katavi National Park
- Gombe Spring National Park
- Mahale National Park
Rwanda National Parks
OUR SPECIAL SAFARIS
Wildebeest migration safari are organized in bothMaasai (Masai) Mara and Serengeti National Parks. The duration of the safari depends on various factors but mostly on time and budget but also the flexibility of the guest. The all drive 11 days Masai Mara Serengeti/ Ngorongoro/ Manyara Migration Safari commences from Nairobi and returns to the same via Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, and Amboseli. The 8 days fly drive Wildebeest Migration Safari Masai Mara National Park (Mara Explorer 8 days) is a luxury option. Guests fly from Nairobi Wilson to Masai Mara and return to the same.The 4 days 3 Nights Migration safari combines Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha. The 6 days Best of Tanzania Safari focuses on wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park. The best time to witness migration in Masai Mara National Park Kenya, is between July to September. Serengeti National Park is best visited between March and May
ZANZIBAR
North Coast of Zanzibar
is a special holiday destination ideal for week long stays, honey moons or weekend escapes. Zanzibar is an ideal destination for holiday getaways,relaxation and adventure. Zanzibar + Masai Mara are the places to visit if you desire to combine beach holidays with water sports and big game watching. Top of the range of the hotels are
- Diamonds Gemma Dell Est Resort
- Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel
- Ocean Paradise Hotel
- Double Tree Hilton Resort
- The Z Beach Hotel
- Diamonds Star Of The East Hotel
- Sandies Mapenzi Beach Club/ Hotel.
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