Meru National Park lies east of Mount Kenya and offers a more secluded safari than Kenya’s headline reserves. Rivers and streams cross a varied landscape of grassland, woodland and doum palms, supporting a broad range of wildlife while visitor numbers remain comparatively low.
A different Kenyan landscape
Meru’s network of waterways gives the park a greener character than the arid north. Elephant, lion, giraffe, buffalo and numerous antelope occur here, while the wider conservation story includes important rhino protection.
Born Free country
The park is closely associated with conservationists George and Joy Adamson and Elsa the lioness, whose story was made famous by Born Free. That history remains part of Meru’s identity, although the contemporary experience is defined just as strongly by the park’s space and lack of safari traffic.
Why choose Meru?
Meru suits travellers who value privacy and landscape as much as ticking off sightings. It can provide an excellent contrast to the busier Mara and combines naturally with Mount Kenya, Laikipia and northern Kenya.
