Monday 27 August 2012

Meru National Park


ACCESS
  • Roads:
    • 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- inaccessible at the moment
  • Airstrip:
    • Main airstrip at Kina, Mulika next to Meru Mulika Lodge and Elsa's Kopje airstrip
PARK GATES:            
  • The Main Gate
SIZE / LOCATION
  • 870 Km2
  • East-north-east of Mount Kenya in Meru District of Eastern Province
CLIMATE
  • Parks are part of Semi-arid zone and have irregular rainfalls. Wet seasons are April- June and November- December. Rainfall is 635-762mm in the west and 305-356mm in the east
SAFARICARD REQUIRED?

  • At present the park does not operate on Safaricard system. Entry is by cash only (KSH or US$). 
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
  • Former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa the lioness
  • Views of Mt Kenya
  • Rivers and riverine habitats
  • Tana river
  • Adamson's falls
WILDLIFE
  • Grevy's Zebra, Elephants, Eland, Bush Pig,  Waterbuck, Cheetah, Leopard, Reticulated Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Bohor Reedbuck, Hartebeest, Python, Puff Udder, Cobra, Buffalo, more than 427 recorded species of birds
BIRDS
  • More than 427 recorded species
VEGETATION
  • Mainly thorny bush land in the North, wooded grasslands in the West and open grassland elsewhere. The park also offer dense riverine forests of Doum and Raffia palm
WHERE TO STAY
  • In - Park Accommodation
    • Elsa’s Kopje 
    • Leopard Rock Lodge
  • KWS Self – Catering Accommodation:
    • Murera Bandas
    • Kina Bandas
    • Meru Luxury House
  • Camping Facilities
    • Kampi Baridi; Kitanga; Makutano; Rojoweru; Mugunga; Ken Mare and Kanjoo which are special campsites. Bwatherongi which a public campsites
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
  • Game viewing
  • Camping
  • Scenic  
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight. Also useful are: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks