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Kenya
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s least visited, and thus least spoiled, national parks. The equator cuts through the park’s 870 square kilometers of bushland, with grasslands in the west, and along the park’s numerous watercourses, dense forests grow.
Meru National Park, which straddles the equator, is bisected by 13 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams, making it a green paradise in comparison to Kenya’s other parks’ dry savannah. The park encompasses a diverse landscape that includes woodlands, wide open plains, meandering riverbanks, kopjes, and rich volcanic soil deposits. This is the wilderness where George and Joy Adamson released Elsa, the lioness on which the film “Born Free” was based.
Meru’s game viewing includes large herds of elephants, buffalo, gerenuk, and lesser and greater kudu. Beautiful lions, leopards, and black and white rhinos. You should bring your fishing rod because there are so many rivers here; relax on the river bank with some canapes and a good book.
In addition, catfish, tilapia, and barbells can all be caught in Meru National Park. If you’re feeling more energetic, you can take a guided walk to the top of Mughwango Hill, where you’ll be able to enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views of Mount Kenya in the west and the vast Meru plains in the east.
A section of the reserve has been fenced off to create a haven for 40 White rhinos and 20 Black rhinos, making it one of the best places in Kenya to see these endangered animals.
History of meru national park
Meru National Park was established in 1968. Since then, the Park suffered greatly during the late 1980s when poaching became rampant, annihilating the entire white rhino population that had been introduced into the park. Kenya’s government acted decisively, driving out the poachers and restoring strong security. Although tourist numbers are still lower than they were before poaching, wildlife populations are increasing, which is encouraging. Elephants were relocated from the Laikipia plateau to Meru by the Kenya Wildlife Service in 2001. This success resulted in the relocation of several other species during that decade, and you can now see both black and white rhinos, as well as healthy reedbuck herds.
Between 2000 and 2005, Kenya Wildlife Services, with the assistance of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, transformed Meru National Park from near ruin to one of the most promising tourist destinations in Eastern Africa, thereby resolving the park’s poaching problem. The IFAW contributed $1.25 million to this major restoration project, which aided in the improvement of basic infrastructure as well as the provision of necessary equipment and vehicles for law enforcement activities.
Aside from the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife, tourist attractions include George and Joy Adamson’s former home, Adamson’s Falls, views of Mount Kenya, and the Tana River.
How to get to Meru National Park
Meru National Park is accessible by both road and air.
Road Access: Meru National Park is accessible from Nairobi via the Nyeri-Nanyuki route 348 km (215 miles) or the Embu-Ura gate.
By Air: There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to either of the park’s two airstrips. These are the primary airstrips at Kina, Mulika, and Elsa Kopje.
Best time to visit
Wildlife viewing is at its best during the dry season, which lasts from June to September. During this season, animals congregate at watering holes, making it the best time to see them.
On the other hand, the long rains between March and May, as well as the short rains between October and November, make wildlife viewing difficult because the grass grows tall, making it difficult to see animals. The park, on the other hand, can be visited at any time of year.
safari activities in meru national park
Wildlife Viewing
Game viewing is the most popular tourist activity in Meru National Park, attracting visitors from all over the world. On a game drive through the wilderness, you can opt to engage in the exhilarating day or night game drives to watch a rich variety of animals that roam the spectacularly scenic Meru landscapes. Moreover, along the river banks of numerous streams and springs, namely the Tana, Bisanadi, and the Rojerwero – the main rivers in the park ideal for watching Hippos and crocodiles.
You will be rewarded with captivating views of surrounding hills and mountains shimmering in the distance, particularly Mount Kenya with its snowcapped flanks, which are frequently visible. Keep an eye out for the big five African mammals, including big cats, with good sightings of these predators during a night game drive.
Meru Rhino Sanctuary Visit
Due to the threat of poaching, which is taken very seriously here, the healthy population of both black and white rhinoceros of about 80 individuals in number and is protected in an extensively fenced area. Visiting Meru Rhino Sanctuary is one of the major Tourist Activities in Meru National Park that will give you close-range encounters with the rhinoceros and make your big 5 dreams an adventure.
Birding Adventures
Another magical adventure experience of the Tourist Activities in Meru National Park is bird watching. If you are an avid bird watcher interested in catching a glimpse of some bird species, the park is home to more than 400 recorded bird species which you can discover while you walk along the banks of many rivers and streams bordered by acacia woodlands that create a jungle setting for bird habitats. Other habitats in the park include the thick riverine forests, swamps, and tidal pools.
Hiking
We also take you in the vehicle to the foothills of Kilimanjaro, an extinct massive volcano only 4 kilometers away. The volcano’s crater is easily accessible, allowing visitors to explore the small forest hidden within it and enjoy 360-degree views of the park from its rim. The more energetic can walk to the Kiolu River falls, which are magnificently surrounded by a steep rock amphitheater and are a hidden secret reward to thrive while on Kenya Safaris.
Biking
You can ride a mountain bike on one of the numerous paths and dusty roads that surround Meru National Park. You can either ride through shamba of maize and bananas through tiny villages or get wet crossing one of Meru’s rivers. The opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery and traditional African rhythms of life.
Fishing
On the many rivers that cross-sect the park, take your rod with some canapés and a good book, and settle on these palm-lined river banks and you engage in fishing which is fun as you enjoy your catch with plentiful catfish, tilapia, and barbell.
Cultural Encounters
Cultural tours are private tourist activities in Meru National Park offered into the nearby local communities, such as the Tharaka community close to the park, which will give you an insight into the traditional lifestyle and cultures of the people living here and add a special flair to your safari. These tours are offered away from wildlife, nature, and wilderness adventure experiences.
Visit Adamson Falls & Elsa the Lioness Grave
Through their best-selling book Born Fire, Joy Adamson and Elsa the Lioness helped create Meru National Park. Among the park’s tourist attractions is the unforgettable experience of visiting Elsa’s tomb and learning about its history. Visit the grave of Elsa the lioness with an armed park ranger, or take a walk to the swift Adamson Falls where the Tana River is forced through a narrow rock formation to get a sense of what it’s like to leave the Game Drive vehicles and get in touch with nature on foot for Bush walks to learn about the unique details of this untamed rugged environment that was once home to Joy & George Adamson and Elsa the lioness. Adamson Falls, named for renowned wildlife conservationists George and Joy Adamson, is a 50-meter-high waterfall in the Hastings cavern that provides some sightings. Depending on the hikers’ level of fitness, it takes two to three hours to reach the top of the falls, but the challenging climb is well worth it.
Accommodations in Meru National Park
Accommodation offered in Meru National Park includes luxury, midrange, and budget safari lodges and campsites. Some of these facilities include;
