Kora National Park is located in Tana River County in Kenya and covers approximately 441,000 acres of land. Meru National Park and Tana River border Kora National Park, both of which offer sublime natural beauty and feature Adamson’s Falls, Kora Rapids, and Grand. Kora National Park was once home of famed wildlife conservationist George Adamson, known as Baba ya Simba (Father of Lions). It was here that the lion Elsa, of ‘Born Free’ fame, lived. Following decades of poaching, the park is slowly recovering and wildlife can be scarce. The former nature reserve was gazetted as a national park in 1989 after the murder of George Adamson by poachers. The park often referred to as the ‘Last Wilderness’, Kora National Park offers a pristine and genuine landscape, unspoiled, and geographically diverse. From the lush jungles and the coursing rivers to the verdant swamplands and the scenic grasslands, safari-goers are in for a natural treat. Kora is 280 kilometers to the northeast of Nairobi. Kora’s main appeal is its wild backcountry feel and a real sense of adventure.
CLIMATE
The climate of Kora National Park is favorable (Hot and Dry), all year round therefore you should make an effort to visit the park and enjoy the marvels of nature. But the best time to visit is during the dry season from the month of June to September and December to February when the park is out of water source and the road transport is easy to access as well as easy to spot, while in the wet season, roads can be poor conditions and grass become very long thus making the animals more difficult to spot.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS FOUND AT KORA NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife
Kora National Park is home to a variety of wildlife species such as caracal, Tanzanian cheetah, African bush elephant, hippos, spotted and striped hyenas, African leopards, lions, serval, wildcats, and serval types of antelopes.
Birdlife
Kora National Park is an ideal birding spot with various bird species, the park is home to over 450 recorded bird species. Some of the birds found here include Crested Francolin, Laughing Dove, Dideric Cuckoo, Tawny Eagle, Western Barn Owl, Green Woodhoopoe, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Lesser Honeyguide, Chinspot Batis, Pied Crow, Common Bulbul, Superb Starling, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver and White-browed Sparrow-Weaver among others
The Tana River
The Tana River is crucial for both the local people and wildlife in the park, especially during dry spells when various pools of water form among the rocks. As the longest river in Kenya, it is named after the Tana River County. The river’s basin covers about 100,000 square kilometers and can be split into two parts: the headwaters and the lower Tana. The lower section flows for around 700 kilometers through mostly dry land, fed by tributaries like the Thika River, which only runs during the rainy season. The Tana River starts in the Aberdare Mountains and flows east, then south around Mount Kenya. Several hydroelectric dams have been built along the river. Although many think there’s groundwater beneath it, that’s not the case. Along the Tana River, you can enjoy different attractions, including Adamson’s Falls, Grand Falls, and the Kora Rapids, as it flows through the southern and eastern parts of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains.
Adamson’s Falls
Adamson’s Falls are located in Southwest National Park, around 10 to 15 kilometers from Dover in southern Tasmania. To reach the falls, you start from outside the national park on a relatively easy walking path. The trail begins with a gentle downhill slope before gradually going uphill. Just before you get to the falls, it gets a bit steeper and can be slippery if it’s wet. You can view the falls from different spots, but the best view is from the top. If you walk about 50 meters down, you can stand underneath the falls. It can be quite slippery, but it’s definitely worth seeing, especially after heavy rain.
George Adamson’s Grave
George Adamson was tragically killed by poachers on August 20, 1989, while trying to help a tourist escape from danger. He was cremated and buried in Kora National Park, a place he loved and where he spent many years, refusing to leave despite the rising violence around him. He rests beside his brother, Terence, who passed away two years earlier in the same park, as well as two of his beloved lions.
Stunning Scenery
The incredible scenery is what draws people to Kora. The vast open plains are dotted with rounded hills that seem to float above the ground. The beautiful Tana River forms one of the park’s boundaries, and impressive palm trees line its shores.
Cultural Attractions
There are interesting cultural opportunities in nearby communities such as Asako village, Boka, and Kamaguru, which are located along the eastern edge of the national park. Many local residents have become involved in protecting Kora National Park and taking part in tourism projects within the area. They also engage in farming and raising livestock on the park’s borders, offering visitors a chance to experience local life during Kenya Wildlife Safaris.
ACTIVITIES TO DO AT KORA NATIONAL PARK
Game Drives
Game drives is one of the most exciting things you can do in Kora National Park. the park is home to a variety of animals including elephants, cheetahs, wild dogs, striped and spotted hyenas, leopards, lesser kudu, genet, hippos, caracal, lion, serval, and very many other small mammals. Game driving in the park is done in three different ways that is the morning, full-day game drives, and evening game drives. The morning is the best time to go since most animals are active then, while in the evening and during the day, they might be resting.
Rock Climbing
For adventure lovers, Kora is a fantastic place for rock climbing. You can climb Kora Rock, a special site where the famous George Adamson used to communicate with lions. He would call to them, and they often responded with their roars, sometimes gathering around him.
Guided Nature Walks
Visitors to Kora can enjoy guided nature walks along the rivers and various trails. These walks offer breathtaking views of wildlife and the beautiful landscape.
Fishing
The Tana River runs through Kora National Park and is essential for many local communities who rely on fishing for their livelihoods. The river has various features like meanders and sandy floodplains, but keep in mind that the tides can affect fishing conditions.
Bird Watching
Kora is a fantastic spot for bird watchers, home to numerous colorful bird species. While on your bird-watching tours, you will have the opportunity to spot different kinds of these bird species such as flanked barbet, Pe’s fishing owl, eastern yellow-billed hornbills, white-backed night heron, Orange-bellied parrots, Busra reed warbler
Visit Kampi Ya Simba
Kampi Ya Simba is a unique campsite that once housed George Adamson’s lions. It’s where he raised them and taught them how to hunt before returning them to the wild. You can visit the site with a KWS ranger, and if you want to spend the night, it’s good to check with the caretaker first. There are no set costs for anyone who visits and stays at Kampi Ya Simba, just pay the caretaker an amount that you feel appropriate.
Visit Tana River
The Tana River looks beautiful and inviting, but it’s best not to swim in it due to the many crocodiles living in the water.
Explore Natural Trails
Kora is a haven for nature lovers. You can wander through the untouched wilderness, discovering the park’s hidden beauty. The park is totally and rarely visited, meaning nature is intact. Take a walking safari, and feel the real wilderness as you discover this beautiful park.
Pay Tribute to George Adamson
You can visit the grave of George Adamson in the park, located near his brother Terance and two lions named Super Cub and Mugi, who were released into the park after George’s passing. Today, Tony Fitzjohn, George’s former assistant, continues conservation work in Kenya.
WHERE TO STAY AT KORA NATIONAL PARK
Kora National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for visitors while on a kanya wildlife adventure. These accommodations range from luxury, midrange, and budget such as Rhino River Camp, Offbeat Meru Camp, Leopard Rock Lodge, Ikweta Safari Camp, Elsa’s Kopje Lodge, Kinna Guest House, Meru Guest House, Chui Cottages, Murere Cottages, and others. Visitors can also enjoy camping like the Ken mare, Rojoweru, Kampi Baridi, Kanjoo, and many others.
HOW TO GET
Getting to Kora National Park can be done in two main ways: by driving or by flying.
By Road
Kora National Park is about 280 kilometers (or 173 miles) northeast of Nairobi, which typically takes around 4 to 5 hours to drive. The route goes through Thika, Mwingi, and Kyuso villages. There’s a small airstrip located about 10 kilometers east of the park, mainly used by the Kenya Wildlife Service. A bridge connects Kora with the nearby Meru National Park. If you plan to drive there, make sure you have a well-equipped 4×4 vehicle. It’s also a good idea to travel with someone else for safety.
By Air
You can also fly to Kora National Park via three different airstrips: Kyethoni Airstrip, Kampi ya Simba Airstrip, and Masanduku Airstrip in Meru National Park.
