Location
East of Mount Kenya, about 6 hours from Nairobi or a short flight
Best time
June to October and January to February
Known for
Born Free history, rhino sanctuary, rivers and doum palms
Ideal stay
2 to 3 nights
About Meru National Park
Discover Meru National Park
Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s hidden gems, with rivers, swamps, doum palms and tall grass. It is the park where Joy and George Adamson released Elsa the lioness, made famous by Born Free.
Few visitors come here, so you can often enjoy sightings to yourself. Meru has a rhino sanctuary, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and dry-country species such as Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
Highlights
Why visit Meru National Park
Born Free history
Visit Elsa's grave and the Adamsons' former camp.
Rhino sanctuary
Black and white rhinos in a protected area.
Rivers and palms
Thirteen rivers wind through lush scenery.
Exclusive feel
Very few vehicles, even in high season.
Experiences
Things to do
- Game drives on quiet tracks
- Rhino sanctuary visit
- Tana River and Adamson's Falls
- Fishing and river picnics
- Bird watching (over 400 species)
Seasons
When to visit
June to October
Dry season with good wildlife viewing.
January to February
Short dry spell; excellent conditions.
March to May and November
Wet season; some roads become difficult.
Tailor-made
Meru National Park safaris
Every safari we plan is tailor-made. Tell us your dates, budget and travel style and we will build a Meru National Park itinerary around you, on its own or combined with other parks and the coast.
Start planning
Ready to explore Meru National Park?
Tell us when you’d like to travel and what you’d love to see. A safari planner will reply within 24 hours with a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-inclusive quote.