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Location
Meru National Park lies east of the town of Meru in the county of the same name. It is approximately 220 miles northeast of Nairobi.
Size
The size of Meru National Park is 340 square miles.
History
Interest in establishing the Meru National Park peaked between 2000 and 2005. With funds donated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Meru National Park has been restored to the wonderful game park it is today. The park has been part of the “Lion Conservation Unit” since 2005.
Entrance Fees & Permits
The cost to enter the Meru National Park is USD52 per adult and USD35 per child under 12 years old, valid for a 24-hr period.
Hours of Operation
The gates to Meru National Park open 6am to 6pm daily.
By Road
The drive to Meru National Park from Nairobi is approximately 220 miles from Nairobi, a six hour drive northeast along the Nairobi Highway/A2 and the Nairobi-Meru Highway/B6. There are two entry gates, the main Murera Gate and Ura Gate.
By Air
A flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport will take approximately 65 minutes, a journey covering 216 miles.
Weather & Climate
The weather is mild in Meru National Park, with temperatures averaging up to 90 F throughout the year. The wettest month is in November, with the dry, cool season of June, July and August offering the best game viewing experiences. The hottest month is March, with May the month with the most sunshine.
Avoiding Crowds
Consider travelling to the Meru National Park between just before or after the peak, cool and dry season comprising late June, July, August and into early September. October and early November are great times to visit the Meru National Park to avoid the crowds, with fewer vehicles traversing the savannah. May and early June offer sunshine, cooler temperatures, and fewer visitors.
Value for Money
Accommodation options vary from comfortable camps pricing at USD270 per person per night to luxury lodges with a price tag between USD750 to, USD1400 per person sharing per night. This Meru National Park offers a truly unspoilt safari experience with fewer people and vehicles in the park, thus making it a value for money safari destination.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in the Meru National Park
Meru National Park is home to the “Big Five” which comprise lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino as well as a myriad of plains game including giraffe, kudu and dik-dik. Game drives afford visitors the chance to witness cheetahs sleeping under a tree, perhaps a Somali ostrich grazing or the common zebra drinking at a water hole. With over 420 bird species to be found in the Meru National Park, ornithologists will be thrilled with the sightings during their safari.
The Terrain
The terrain of the Meru National Park comprises a combination of vast grasslands, wide savannahs, thick forested areas with the Tana, Rojeweru, and Ura Rivers and many streams running through the landscape. There is a real rugged and wild feel to the park, with a large number of anthills spaced among trees and shrubs, and a mountainous backdrop.
Game Drives
Game drives are usually conducted in closed 4×4 vehicles and would take place early morning or late afternoon, which are peak game viewing times. Qualified guides will share the magic of the bush with guests as you search for elephants, leopards and hyena, and watch quietly as plains game drink from nearby water holes. Certain lodges offer night drives within the Meru National Park, operated by the lodge’s open 4×4 game vehicle.
Guided Walking Safaris
Guests can enjoy an escorted walking safari in Meru National Park with qualified guides sharing the smaller details of the wilderness, explaining flora and fauna while keeping an eye out for larger wildlife possibly roaming nearby. Enjoy the freedom of wandering on foot as you breathe in the smells and take in the sights of the bush. This is a unique Kenya safari experience and connects you to the landscape in ways not possible from a vehicle.
A variety of luxury lodges and camps plus more modest safari lodging can be found around Meru National Park. There are few lodgings inside the actual park making spending time in the park itself an intimate safari experience. All accommodation offers incredible game viewing opportunities in Meru National Park.
Meru National Park Lodging – Distance from park entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| Ikweta Safari Camp | Located outside the park, 1.4 miles north of the Murera Gate |
| Rhino River Tented Camp | Located outside the park, 16 miles south of the Murera Gate |
| Elewana Elsa’s Koje Meru | Located outside the park, 14.9 miles North of the Murera Gate |
Adamson’s Falls
Enjoy a guided walk to the Adamson Falls, the forceful rapid from the Tana River pushing through rock formations set among beautiful scenery.
Elsa the Lioness’ Grave
Let your guide take you through the park, taking in the serene surroundings until you come out at the point that marks Elsa the Lioness’ grave. Elsa’s story is moving, and your guide will tell you about the bond between Elsa and the wonderful humans who raised her, Joy and George Adamson.
Fishing
Equipped with a fishing pole and a few snacks, your guide will show you the best fishing spots along the Tana, Rojeweru or Ura Rivers and ravines in Meru National Park.
Cultural Visits
Visit the Tharaka Community located nearby and discover their fascinating history, culture and traditions on this excursion.
Meru Rhino Sanctuary
Take some time to visit the Meru Rhino Sanctuary and learn about the incredible conservation and preservation of these much-loved animals.
Visit Meru National Park during the drier, cooler months between June and early September. Game viewing is at its best at this time. To avoid crowds, consider traveling in late May and early June or early September and October. Birdwatchers should consider visiting the park between November and April.
Safari accommodation ranges from modest camps and lodges with prices from USD275 per person sharing per day to the luxury lodges offering safari packages between USD750 and USD1400 per day. The packages include meals and safari experiences within the Meru National Park.
Traveling by road, the distance from Nairobi to Meru National Park will take approximately six hours, a 220 mile distance on the Nairobi/A2 Highway, entrance will be through the Murera Gate. A flight from Wilson Airport is approximately 65 minutes covering a distance of 216 miles.
Meru National Park is a landscape of varied textures and colors offering variety in game drive experiences and wildlife wonders. There is a wonderful view of Mount Kenya and the park is known for its elephant herds. The reserve is less crowded than other more popular or well-known reserves and parks offering a more intimate safari experience.
Meru National Park is home to the “Big Five” so sightings of elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion are frequent. Plains game such as articulated giraffe, oryx and hartebeest.
The gates for Meru National Park are open between 6am and 6pm daily.
It is advisable to book accommodation and safari packages for the Meru National Park in advance as availability could be limited especially during peak safari periods.
4×4 game drives and walking safaris are the best way to experience the flora, fauna and incredible wildlife in the Meru National Park.
Elsa’s Kopje is situated in the heart of Meru National Park with Leopard Rock on the northeastern edges of the park. Other wonderful accommodations located just outside include Ikweta Lodge, Rhino River Camp and Mantis Mutara Luxury Camp.
There are no set or separate restaurants located near or within the Meru National Park as each lodge or camp will provide meals for all guests during their stay.
Adamson’s Falls offer a breathtaking sight as water forces its way through rocks and crevices. Visit the grave of Elsa the Lioness and take some time to appreciate the conservation efforts at the Meru Rhino Sanctuary. Visit the Tharaka Community Village and take some time out as you try your hand at fishing in one of the rivers or streams of Meru National Park.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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