Remote, rugged, and prominently unspoilt, Meru National Park sits on an 870 sq.km area. Less visited, the park is largely set in the wilderness yet strikingly beautiful. Few places and spaces compare to this great spectacle. The park borders Bisanadi National Reserve to the northeast and Kora National Park to the southeast.
Meru National Park prides herself in the history of the coming together of Joy Adamson’s book “Born Free”. The script is based on Adamson’s life and research on lions and cheetahs.
George and Joy Adamson are best known through the movie Born Free and a best-selling book with the same title, based on the true story of Elsa the Lioness, an orphaned lioness cub they had raised and later released into the wild.
Key Attractions/Activities:
The lions of Meru are a great puller of visitors into the park, tied to the story of George, Joy Adamson, and the setting of the movie and book Born Free. Great rewards await avid bird watchers, as the bird life is exceptionally diverse with over 400 bird species in the park. The park teems with a variety of wildlife species, including elephant, Grevy’s zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, black rhino, hartebeest, hippo, buffalo and the reticulated giraffe, among others.
Visitors can enjoy game viewing, camping, picnicking, hiking, and swimming near Kinna cottages. The rich culture of the Ameru, Borana, and Tharaka communities in the cultural villages is also an activity visitors can savor. Ameru culture at Murera Gate, which is the park’s main gate, Borana culture at Bisanadi Gate, and Tharaka culture at Ura Gate.
Other attractions include: River Rojeweru Hippo pool and viewpoints, river Bwatherongi /Kubai Road Hippo pool, River Tana, Nyambene Ranges view, Adamson’s Falls and Rapids, Elsa’s Grave, Pippa’s Grave, Mwariama Mau Mau Baobab hideout, Mt. Kenya view, The Equator, Inselbergs and Anthills, Kopjes, Swamps and natural springs.
Accommodation – Stay in the Wild. Explore. Create memories
Set in the quietude of nature, KWS offers a modest and wide range of self-catering accommodation options targeting the budget traveler. Whether you are looking to get away from the exhausting grind of life, a break away from the hustle and bustle of the city right into the serenity of the bush, or you just long to soak in your senses and reconnect with nature, KWS bandas and guesthouses offer the perfect ambience.
Meru National Park offers the following;
- Meru Guest House
- Kinna Guest House
- Bwatherongi (Bandas) Cottages
- Bwatherongi (Banda) Cottage (Big)
- Murera (Bandas) Cottages
- Murera (Bandas) Cottage (With TV)
Public Campsites;
- Bwatherongi
For this category, standard amenities are provided: water, toilet/bathroom, and kitchen area. Public campsites do not require prior booking.
Special Campsites;
- Island Camp, Kambi Baridi, Golo 1, Golo 2, Fisi, Ndovu, Rojawero, Chuma, Muguga, Kenmare, Mamba, Kithanga, Princess, Makutano and Kanjoo.
For this category, only campgrounds are provided. The visitor has to reserve the special campsite well in advance for exclusive use. Visitors have to bring with them a source of fire and kitchen utensils.
Reservation of bandas/guesthouses and special campsites is done through the park warden or through KWS headquarters reservations desk; reservations@kws.go.ke
Prevailing camping rates apply per person per day for both special and public campsites, including other park charges.
Privately Owned Lodges and Hotels
- Elsa’s Kopje Eco-lodge
- Rhino River Porini Camp – Located outside the park opposite Rhino Sanctuary Management Gate.
- Ikweta Safari Camp -Located outside the park, 800M from the Murera Gate
- Jungle Green Leisure –Located outside the park, about 7km from Murera Gate
Visitors have to contact their management directly and separately.
What to take with you:
Whether camping or just visiting for a day trip, visitors are advised to carry with them the following; personal effects, clean drinking water, food, camping equipment if the visitor intends to stay overnight.
Also important are; Camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses, appropriate hiking/mountaineering gear and reserve car fuel if intending to be in the park longer.
How to get there:
- By road: From Nairobi (348 KM) via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all-weather roads.
From Maua to Murera Gate (35 KM) and 348 km from Nairobi.
From Embu via Ura Gate (161 KM) and 290 km from Nairobi - By Air: Main airstrip at Kinna, Mulika next to Meru Mulika Lodge and Mughwongo Airstrip next to Elsa’s Kopje Eco-lodge
