Meru National Park

The Park below the slopes of Mt. Kenya

Meru National Park is a Kenyan national park located east of Meru, 350 km (220 mi) from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km2 (340 sq. mi), it is one best-known national parks in Kenya. Rainfall in this area is abundant with 635–762 mm (25.0–30.0 in) in the west of the park and 305–356 mm (12.0–14.0 in) in the east. The rainfall results in tall grass and lush swamps.

The park has a wide range of wild animals including the African bush elephant, lion, African leopard, cheetah, eastern black rhinoceros, southern white rhinoceros, Gravy’s zebra, and hippopotamus.

Meru was one of the two areas in which conservationists George Adamson and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness made famous in the best-selling book and award-winning movie Born Free. Elsa the Lioness is buried in this park and part of Joy's ashes were scattered on her gravesite.

By Road

Access from Nairobi (348 kms) is via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all weather roads. Access into the park from Maua to Murera Gate (35 km) and 348 km from Nairobi.

The other access is via Embu to Ura Gate (120 km), 290 km from Nairobi

By Air

Main airstrip at Kina, Mulika next to Meru Mulika Lodge and Elsa's Kopje airstrip

Wildlife & Biodiversity

Big Five: Lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos (in the dedicated Rhino Sanctuary)

Other species: Cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras, lesser kudus, hartebeests, oryx, and over 400 bird species

Unique biodiversity: The park is intersected by 13 permanent rivers and streams, making it especially fertile and attractive to wildlife year-round

Conservation & Communities

Made famous by the book and film “Born Free”, based on the life of Elsa the lioness, raised by conservationists Joy and George Adamson
Suffered from heavy poaching in the 1980s but was successfully revived with strong conservation efforts by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and international support
Today, it includes a fenced rhino sanctuary protecting both black and white rhinos

Game drives: Offers a rich, uncrowded wildlife experience
Birdwatching: Excellent year-round, especially around the rivers and wetlands
Cultural visits: Engage with local Meru communities
Elsa's Grave: A key historical site and tribute to the Adamsons’ conservation legacy
Fishing: Allowed in some rivers (e.g., Rojewero River), especially for catfish and tilapia