Meru National Park

Meru National Park lies off the beaten track northeast of Mount Kenya.

Here, you will find a small number of lodges and campsites, which adds to the feeling of immersion in nature and allows for a unique and memorable safari.

With its unspoiled nature and lush vegetation, the park is perfect for the seasoned traveller who has already visited Kenya’s well-known parks and is looking for an undisturbed wilderness experience.

However, it wasn’t always this way.

The history of Meru National Park

The park was established in 1966 and thrived for years. However, in the 1980s, elephant and rhino populations fell dramatically due to poaching and reached a crisis point in the late 1990s.

Fortunately, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), with the aid of the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the EU, restored the park to its former glory.

This included the creation of a protected sanctuary for the reintroduction of Black and White rhinos.

The park is not simply an isolated island of refuge for wildlife. It is a crucial component of a larger ecosystem that spans over 5,000 km² and is known as the Meru Conservation Area (MCA).

In 2010, the MCA was recognised as a site of outstanding universal value. Consequently, it was added to the UNESCO tentative list, making it suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List.

The MCA safeguards the ecosystem along the Tana River, including the Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves, the Kora National Park, and the Meru National Park.

It is the second-largest conservation area in Kenya, surpassed only by the Tsavo East and Tsavo West.

The geography of Meru National Park

The geography of Meru National Park is characterised by numerous vein-like rivers, including the Rojerwero and Ura Rivers, that form part of the Tana River basin.

The rivers flowing down from Mount Kenya and the neighbouring Nyambeni Hills are an essential life source for the fauna and flora of the park, particularly during the dry season.

The Tana, Kenya’s longest river, flows along the park’s southern boundary. It originates from the Aberdare Mountain Range and is fed by springs from Mount Kenya before meandering towards the Indian Ocean.

Before leaving the park, the river is forced into a section of boulders at the park’s southeast corner to create the Adamson Falls.

Along the numerous river banks, majestic riparian forests grow, while in the northwest, you’ll find swamps, grass savannah and acacia trees.

They provide essential habitat for 427 bird species, with highlights including the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl, the vulnerable Hinde’s pied babbler, and the striking Vulturine Guineafowl.

Which animals can you see in Meru National Park?

If you have already seen the Big Five, you will be delighted by the rare animals found here.

The park is part of a north-to-south migration route for numerous animals and an essential habitat for rare species like Reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, the northern Kongoni hartebeest, Kirk’s dik-diks and many more.

The park was made famous by George and Joy Adamson, who set their hand-reared lioness, Elsa, free here.

Joy Adamson wrote this story in her book, “Born Free”, which was later adapted into a film. Elsa’s grave can be found in the southern part of the park.

During a safari in Meru National Park, you can witness the Big Five, the Northern Five, various gazelles and other rare species. You will also enjoy a genuine connection with nature far from the crowds.

Consequently, this exceptional ecosystem is bound to amaze even the most experienced safari-goers, who will undoubtedly agree that Kenya always has something exciting to offer.