Meru National Park

Meru National Park, spanning 870 square kilometers east of Mount Kenya, is one of Kenya’s most scenic and historically significant wilderness areas. Immortalized by Joy Adamson’s Born Free as the home of Elsa the lioness, Meru blends literary legend with rich biodiversity and unspoiled landscapes to create a truly iconic safari destination. The park presents a striking mosaic of habitats: open grasslands, dense bushland, acacia woodlands, and lush riverine forests nourished by 13 rivers and streams that crisscross the terrain. This network of waterways sustains an impressive variety of wildlife, from elephants and buffalo to lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hippos, offering visitors rewarding game-viewing opportunities across its vast expanse. Meru is particularly celebrated for its northern Kenyan specialties—wildlife not commonly seen in the southern parks—including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk. Adding to its conservation legacy, the park hosts a successful rhino sanctuary, providing a secure habitat for both black and white rhinos and contributing to Kenya’s broader anti-poaching efforts. What makes Meru unique is its contrast of environments: pockets of tropical greenery around rivers merge with semi-arid plains, ensuring a diverse safari experience far from the crowds of more famous parks. Bird enthusiasts will find over 300 bird species, from kingfishers along the streams to raptors soaring above the savanna.

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