Meru National Park is a well-renowned wildlife conservation area and a popular tourist destination, which is located in the Eastern of Kenya and, is situated at a distance of about 350 kilometers from Nairobi, which is famously known to be the capital city of the country. Meru National National Park was established in 1966 covering a total surface area of about 870.4 square kilometers and it is under the management of Kenya Wildlife Services who have a major role in protecting and conserving all the national parks in the country.
Meru National Park has a rich biodiversity which makes it considered as a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts tourists exploring different areas of this national park will have chances to be able to spot a wide variety of animal species including the big five which are considered to be among the top attractions and these include; lions, African elephants, buffalos, leopards, Rhinoceros. However, there are more notable species that individuals may also encounter with while touring around the park and some of these animals include; giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, eastern black rhinoceros, southern white rhinoceros, grevy’s zebra among others.
The national park is also seen as a birder’s paradise due to the fact that it hosts around 400 bird species and it is being dominated and surrounded by riverine forests, open savannah grasslands, and acacia woodlands which all act as good natural habitats for the birds. Some of these birds that tourists can sightsee include; Ring necked dove, marabou stork, Somali ostrich, saddle-billed stork, yellow-necked spur fowl, laughing dove, secretary dove, crested guinea fowl, African jacana, Kori bustard, white browed coucal, black winged stilt, common ostrich, vulturine guinea fowl, Taita fiscal, pel’s fishing owl, golden breasted starling, black headed lapwing, common quality and many others.
Meru national park offers a wide range of attractions for tourists to see and many activities that visitors can enjoy as they make remarkable memories such as; from the stunning landscapes to diverse wildlife, outdoor adventures and cultural experiences other attractions include;
Rhino Sanctuary.
The Rhino sanctuary is one of the park’s unique features, which was officially established with the main aim of protecting all the endangered black and white rhinoceros populations. In addition, tourists can be guided by a park guide while they go to spot these magnificent creatures up close within their natural habitats, which happens to be an exciting and memorable experience while on your safari within Meru National Park.
Guided Nature Walks.
For a more intimate experience with nature, tourists can opt to go for guided nature walks which always involve individuals to explore through different areas in the park on foot which provides one with a unique perspective on the flora and fauna. More so, these guided nature walks bless individuals with great opportunities to learn more about the smaller creatures and plants that are often missed during game drives. In addition, while on these walks, tourists are always accompanied by park guides who lead them through different trails within the park.
Cultural Encounters.
In addition to the park’s natural beauty, Meru National Park is known to have a rich cultural heritage therefore exploring the park, tourists can opt to visit within the neighbouring communities where they get to interact with the local people such as; the Meru and the Borana tribes hence which gives them chances to learn more their traditions, art, customs and how they live their daily lives. More so, after listening to their stories, tourists also get to learn about their region’s history and many others.
Game Drives.
One of the best ways to explore Meru National Park in order to capture classic views of all the attractions and wildlife within a short period of time while on a tour in the park is when individuals opt to embark on game drive activities. In addition, the best time for game drives is during the early mornings when the animals always seem more active as they come out of their hiding moving through the park while searching for water and food, and in the afternoon. However. Tourists can also choose to do evening/ night game drives. More so, tourists are always accompanied by park guides who will lead them through the thrilling adventure through the park.
Apart from the above mentioned, there are more attractions that tourists can see within Meru National Park such as; Bisanadi National Reserve which is situated within the Northern part of the park, Mughwango Hill which is a scenic viewpoint within the park where tourists can capture breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, Adamson’s falls which was named after George Adamson among others. More so, tourists can embark on interesting activities such as; fishing, which is best done on the Tana River, camping and picnicking, star gazing, and photography safaris among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about a safari in Meru National Park and then book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages for a safari in Kenya.
