Meru National Park:  -Meru Safaris, Kenya Hotels,  Meru Car Hire/ Meru  Lodges & Attractions

Location:

The Park is located in Meru Country in Kenya's Eastern Province below the eastern slopes of Nyambene Hills.  The Park lies 85 Km east of Meru town.  It is managed by  Kenya wildlife service on behalf of the Central Government.

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 (Khat edulis),  tea and coffee plantations.  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.

Often referred to as "a complete wilderness", Meru Park National Park is wild  and one of the most beautiful in Kenya, ideal for camping, picnics,  adventures and safaris. With 14 permanent rivers and numerous springs, it is a green paradise compared to dry savannah of Kenya’s parks.  Meru is also referred to as “ Born free” country, Kenya's best kept secret.  In the wilds of Meru Park , Joy Adamson wrote the book “Born Free”, detailing her relationship with the  lioness, Elsa. It is here that Elsa the lioness of born free fame was raised, released to the wild and buried.

Area: 

The greater Meru Conservation Area comprises of 40,000 km2 covering Meru,  Bisinadi and Kora parks, Mwingi, North Kitui and Rahore Nature Reserves.  Meru   alone has an area of 870 km2 and lies at an altitude of between 1,000-3,400 Ft above sea level and  comprise of that triangle between Rivers Murera and Tana.

Visit to Meru National Park/ Meru Game Park:

Meru can be visited throughout the year.  A visit to the Park is best combined with the nearby attractions.  These include Mt Kenya National Park, Lewa Down, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserve, Sweet Waters game sanctuary.  Just email us and let us organize a wonderful safari to these places including Maasai, Serengeti, Manyara, Ngorongoro and Lake Nakuru Combinations.

Our Email: rnxploresafaris@gmail.com

Habitats:

The main Woodlands, wide open plains and riverine.

Getting to the Park:

Meru is accessible from any part of the world.  Whether you are in New York, California, Beijing, Tokyo or Sydney you can easily visit Meru.  Just fly into Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta.

Fly/Flight From Nairobi.

The park has a total of 16 airstrips. However only 4 (Kinna, Mulika, Masanduku, Murera) are mostly used. Currently there are no scheduled flights into the park. Every airstrip has a gate to facilitate visitor entry.

Driving from Nairobi:

The park is linked to Nairobi by all whether road via Murera gate.  There are two routes:-

• From Nairobi (348 kms), via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru-Mau-Murera Gate via all weather road. 

• From Nairobi (348 kms), via Embu-Meru- Mau-Murera gate via all weather roads. The junction to the park is before you reach Mau town. 

• Gates include-Murera, Bisanadi, Ura, Kinna

Vehicle: 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:- R&N Xplorer Africa Safaris, 1st Flr. Doris House, Tom Mboya Street, Tel:+254 723 684 974, Email: rnxploresafaris@gmail.com . We are open everyday of the week between 08:00-17:00 Hrs. 

Attractions & Physical Features In the Park:

• 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.

Activities/ What to do in the  Park

This park  is about exclusivity.  Bird Watching, Picnics, Camping, Wildlife Safaris, Adventure and Cultural safaris can all be organized. Game and bird watching are best undertaken in the morning and evening.  Nature walks, rafting and fishing can be organized along Tana River.  Afternoons are best spent on cultural tours,  fishing, rafting or just relaxing at the hotel swimming pools.

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.

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 & 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 in the Park:- Meru Lodges/ Meru Safari Lodges  /Meru town Hotels 

ThePark is served by safari lodges. 

Meru Mulika Lodge ( Temporally closed for renovation)

The Meru Mulika Lodge is located a few metres from Murera gate.  Meru Mulika Lodge is currently under renovation. 

Meru Leopard Rock Lodge:  

The Meru leopard Rock Lodge has been renovated into a high  class eco-lodge for those who desire luxury in the wild with room rates of over USD 470 per person per night. The facilities in the lodge include conference room, swimming pool, Jacuzzi.  With 15 luxury cottages built over a stretch of 3.5 Km along a river Murera frontage.  It is ideal for privacy.  Across the River is Bisanadi National Park.

Meru Elsa's Kopje Lodge:

Located on Mughwango Hill, the Meru Elsa's Kopje is on the original site of Adamson's Camp. It derives its name from Elsa the Lioness of the born free fame.  Each of the 9 cottages is  luxuriously appointed with beautiful views of the surrounding country.  The lodge offers game drives, bush walks, fishing, bush breakfasts, sundowners, night game drives, rafting and fishing on the Tana River, massage, swimming and open air bath.

Mulika Simba Lodge:

The 160 bed Mulika Simba Lodge is under construction.

KWS Bandas:  Not to be left behind, the KWS runs their  best bandas in Meru National Park.

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.

Meru Hotels /Accommodation

Meru is a small agricultural town on the slopes of Mt.  Kenya. Budget hotels exist in Meru town.  The hotels in Meru town include the following:-

• Blue Towers Hotel Min Rate (USD 35.00) BB-  located at Makutano, Meru town on the junction of Meru Maua Road.

• White Star Hotel (Min Rate USD 35.00 BB)along Mau road before you reach Mafuko Industries. No Alcohol.

• Meru County Hotel- This is the biggest property in town.

• Silent Lodge.

• Meru Safari Hotel

• Hotel Royal Prince.

• Meru Incredible Hotel (Min Rate USD 35.00 BB)

• Three Steers- Meru Pacific Hotel.

• Milimani Hotel

• Pig & Whistle:  The 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. 

To Book/ Reserve any of the above hotels email us: rnxploresafaris@gmail.com

Attractions within  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 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.

• Swimming is available at the Golf Club and Fred's Academy.  The pool at the Golf Club is good and its rarely used.

• Lake Nkunga picnic site can be visited with arrangement.

• Rukunga's private museum

• Visit the King Muhuru.

Meru Tour operator/ Travel Agent Car Hire/Rental

 R&N Xplorer Africa Safaris-Located at Doris House, Tom Mboya Street  Tel:+254 723 684 974, car hire/rental and safaris to the Park and the surrounding conservation blocks of parks of Mt.Kenya National Park, Samburu, Buffalo springs, Kora and private game ranches of Ol Pejeta conservancy and Lewa Down.

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 606 Km˛.  It accessible by 4WD vehicles is ideal for camping. There is an airstrip at Korbessa.

Kora National Park :  Across Tana River from Meru Park.  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.

Other parks in this block include Rahole National Reserve, offering a wide variety of plains game, hippo, crocodile and excellent bird viewing; also Mwingi National Reserve, formerly North Kitui. Game to view includes hippo, crocodile, buffalo and warthog.