Meru National Park Holidays

Meru National Park is untamed Africa at its most alluring. Beginning in the foothills of Mount Kenya and extending into the arid bush of eastern Kenya, Meru lies within an 1800km2 wilderness strewn with Baobabs and Doum palms. Meru is crossed by rivers running from the foothills of Mt Kenya towards the mighty Tana River, which forms the park’s southern boundary.

Most of Africa’s big game species flourish within the park and birding is excellent - over 400 bird species have been recorded here. The dry bush and waterways harbour more species than most other parks in Kenya. Large herds of African savannah elephant, Reticulated giraffe, Cape buffalo, Cheetah, prides of African lion and shy Gerenuk, are among the mammals which can be seen here. Leopards lurk in the lava flows and both White and Black rhinoceros may be seen in the park’s 84 km2 Rhino Sanctuary.

Meru Town is the eighth largest city in Kenya, and is located on the Kathita River, on the northeast slopes of Mount Kenya, about five miles north of the equator, at approximately 5,000 feet altitude. This is an important coffee-producing area, virtually all smallholder-grown at high altitudes in the volcanic soils of the district. For the tourist, the attraction is the National Park . Meru remains associated with the work of Joy and George Adamson who released the heroine of Born Free, the lioness 'Elsa', into the wild.