Meru National Park was the wilderness into which George & Joy Adamson released the hand reared leopards, including the son of son of the famous Elsa the lioness, creating the much-loved film Born Free and their cheetah pippa. Meru National park is straddling by the equator and bisected by 13 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams, the Park is wild and one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya. Its a green paradise compared to the dry savannah of some other Kenya's parks, scenery ranges from woodlands to wide-open plains, meandering riverbanks, hilly landscapes and rich grey alluvial volcanic soil deposits. Three large rivers border the reserve the Tana to the south, the Ura to the south-west and the Rojeweru to the east. The Park has an area of 900km² and is located 350km north-east of Nairobi below the Nyambene hills in Meru.
Game viewing in Meru includes large herds of buffalo, bushbuck, duiker, eland, elephant, gazelle, genet, giraffe, hartebeest, impala, kudu, waterbuck and zebra. Expect to see baboons, hyena, jackal, kudu, large prides of lion, mongoose, Oryx, Oribi, Vervet monkeys and warthog. You may see wild dog, bushbaby, caracal, cheetah, civet, Dik-dik, leopard, otter, bush pig, porcupine, Black and white rhino. The rivers abound with hippo and crocodile and fishing is permitted at camp sites and along the Tana River. Birdlife includes Peter's finfoot which inhabits the Murera and Ura Rivers, the Pel's Fishing Owl, Kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters, starlings and numerous weavers.
Tourism Activities Game Drives, Short Walks (along specified routes), Catch release Fishing (In designated areas), Raft boating (On Tana River), Wildlife Translocations, Camping. Major Attractions - Former home of Joy and George Adamsom and Elsa the Lioness (Born Free)
- the grave of Elsa the lioness
- Rivers and riverine habitats
- Tana River and Adamson Falls
- Pippa’s Grave
- Hippo Pool
- Grevy zebra among the Northern species
- 14 Permanent Rivers
- Diverse Cultures including: Borana, Meru, Tharaka, Akamba
- Game Viewing and stunning views of Mt Kenya
Guest Accommodation Facilities Hotels/ Lodges: Elsa Kopje, Mulika, Leopard rock Banda’s/ self-Catering Cottages: Bwatherongi, Murera Permanent tented Camps Off Beat Safari camp Special Campsites Kampi ya Baridi, Kitanga, Makutano, Rojowero, Mugunga, Kenmare, Kanjoo, Kampi ya Chuma, Princess, Kampi ya Nyati Public Campsites Bwatherongi When to visit the park
June - October (warmer - preferred), January - March (hottest season)
Climate
Warm with low humidity.
Rainfall
635-762mm in the west and 305-356mm in the east.
Altitude
304m - 1036m above sea level
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