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Meru National Park
Meru National Park is most known for the story of Elsa the Lioness, made famous in the book Born Free.
Introducing Meru National Park
Made famous by conservationist Joy Adamson and the film based on her book “Born Free”, Meru National Park features 13 rivers and supports a wide range of diverse habitats. It is a paradise for bird watchers, as several rare bird species are found here. Meru National Park is a forest reserve located 350km from Nairobi, east of Meru town. It is one of Kenya's lesser known parks, covering an area of 87 044 hectares. Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana River that includes the Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves, Kora National Park and Rahole National Reserve. The wetter north western sector is hilly with rich volcanic soils. Towards the east the land flattens and the soil appears grey and volcanic. As well as the many streams that cross Meru National Park, the park is bound by three large rivers: Rojeweru River to the East, Ura River to the south west and the Tana River to the south. Kenya's location on the equator gives it a tropical climate and a lot of summer rainfall, which encourages the growth of vegetation. This in turn makes animal spotting fairly difficult out of the dry season, but beautiful scenery nevertheless.
Experience the Meru National Park
Wildlife 
Birdlife
Wildlife at the Meru National Park
Meru National Park offers good overall wildlife viewing and is home to the Big Five. Elephants are particularly common and relaxed. Big cat sightings aren’t guaranteed but all three are possible. There is a chance of spotting a white or black rhino in the drive-in rhino sanctuary, although the vegetation is extremely thick, making black rhino less likely. Hippos and Nile crocodiles are common along the Tana and Rojewero Rivers.
Meru is developing a reputation for lion and leopard sightings (look for the latter draped along a branch close to the rivers). Meru is also known for its northern Kenyan specials, which are specially adapted to arid conditions. The reticulated giraffe is distinguishable by its dramatic pattern. This is one of few places to encounter the shy lesser kudu, the impressive-looking Beisa oryx, and the gerenuk with its elongated neck.
Wildlife viewing in Meru is best during the Dry season (June to October) when animals gather around predictable water sources. Spotting animals is usually more difficult during the long rains (March to May) and short rains (November to December) when the grass tends to be very high. In the rainy season, elephants and some other species move out of the park.
Birdlife at the Meru National Park
With more than 300 species recorded, Meru National Park is an excellent birding destination. It has several northern Kenya specials, including the impressive Somali ostrich, Boran cisticola and the vivid vulturine guineafowl. The noisy yellow-necked spurfowl is very common and the sought-after Hinde’s pied babbler can sometimes be spotted as well. The rivers running through the park offer the right habitat for Pel’s fishing-owl, the shy African finfoot and the localized golden palm weaver, as well as more common waterbirds.
Meru offers good bird watching throughout the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and North Africa are present. This coincides with the breeding season when many species are nesting. Although good for birding, November and April tend to be very wet and are less productive times for general wildlife viewing, so December to March can be a better time.
Best time to visit Meru National Park
Meru National Park can be visited throughout the year, but wildlife viewing is best in the Dry season from June to October. Seeing wildlife is usually more difficult during the long rains (March to May) and the short rains (November to December), when animals (including elephants) disperse and migrate out of the park. During this time the grass also tends to be very high, making spotting animals more difficult.
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