Kenya is a land in Africa’s cradle east with spectacular scenes that only if told would cease to be true. The country is filled with incredible national parks that showcase its unmatched beauty. These parks harbor amazing wildlife species tucked away in the vast landscapes of various terrain and vegetation zones that span the horizon and Meru National Park is no exception. Meru National Park is located in the heart of Kenya east of Meru province about 350 kilometers from the capital city Nairobi. The park traverses the eastern region for over 870 square kilometers stretching the lush grassland savannahs with ever-green swamps. The land is gifted with incredible flora and fauna species that have been part of the park for many years since its establishment.
Meru National Park was established in 1966 and is one of the less visited parks due to its remote location and rugged terrain. However, this has also worked to its advantage, as its uncharted plains and khaki grasslands display pure virgin and unspoiled beauty. The park’s vast landscape exhibits lush grasslands, swamps, and jungles that harbor birds, mammals, and reptiles, to mention but a few, under the unuttered blue sky.
Meru National Park is an incredible site that once hosted George and Joy Adamson, two campers who raised Elsa the lioness who was orphaned at a very young age after the tragic death of her mother. George and Joy Adamson took up the responsibility and raised the lioness to adulthood and it caught the attention of the whole world a film Born Free was acted to honor their incredible story with Elsa the lioness from a book written by Adamson that recorded this story. Today Adamson Falls holds the remains of Adamson as the burial site and when Elsa the lioness died, she was buried close to this site.
Though Meru National Park is tucked away in complete wilderness, it exposes amazing landscapes, and wildlife and has much to entertain its visitors with just as seen below.
Wildlife
As mentioned earlier, Meru National Park offers amazing wildlife species that harbor the vast plains, grasslands, and swamp areas of the park. These wildlife species in the Meru National Park are very varied and include Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Grevy’s and common zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudus, lion, leopard, elephants, white and black rhinos, and wild dog to mention but a few. These animals can be spotted once in the park one different activities as we shall see later.
Birdlife
Meru National Park does not stop at only hosting wildlife species, especially mammals, but it also hosts bird species. Birding enthusiasts are also not left behind as the park hosts approximately 427 bird species in its various vegetation types. These vegetation zones harbor migratory seasonal birds which can be spotted occasionally, especially in November and April during the wet season. The park is also a hub for resident birds which are the commonly sighted birds since there are the endemics of the park. Some of the birds to spot in Meru National Park include yellow-necked spurfowl, black-faced sandgrouse, long-tailed fiscal, golden palm weaver, chestnut weaver, crested guinea fowl, Marabou stock, Somali Ostrich, laughing dove, Vulturine guinea fowl, ring-necked dove, helmeted guinea fowl, white-bellied bustard, Kori bustard, Remeron Pigeon, Hartluab’s bustard, and crested francolin to mention but a few.
Reptiles
Given the rugged terrain and the presence of many termite mounds across the plain grasslands of Meru National Park, reptiles have taken advantage of the mounds to turn them into their homes. The vegetation zones and other features like swamps and flowing rivers in the park all collaborate to sculpt the best habitat for these reptiles. The common reptiles spotted in the park include monitor lizards and snakes such as rock pythons, black mambas, puff adders, and the king cobras to mention but a few.
Meru National Park offers several activities that are a must-do for any traveler who visits the park in anticipation of exploring it in detail and hoping to spot incredible features. Some of these activities include the following.
Game viewing
Meru National Park is a natural hub for several wildlife species that have settled in the diverse vegetation zones and landscapes that stretch to so far as the eye can see. These wildlife species can be spotted on a game drive adventure experience that exposes the visitors to the natural beauty of the park in the conform and safety of your safari vehicle.
Bird watching
This is a common activity highly engaging for birding enthusiasts and nature lovers. Professional and experienced birding guides with knowledge about the birding species in the park guide the visiting birders on a bird watching adventure experience. There are designated birding trails across Meru National Park that lead straight to the different birding sites. The colorful and sweet music of the bird species welcomes the birders and ushers them into this birding exhibition as many colorful birds decorate the horizon with jaw-dropping colors crafted by nature. Be sure to spot several birds including chestnut weaver, crested guinea fowl, Marabou stock, Somali Ostrich, laughing dove, Vulturine guinea fowl, ring-necked dove, helmeted guinea fowl, white-bellied bustard to mention but a few.
Visit Meru National Park and take a break from the rush hours of life and busy work schedules as you dive into nature and meditate under the clear blue sky as the hot African sun warms your heart to prepare you for untamed beauty and uncharted complete wilderness.