Meru National Park
- Region
Eastern Kenya, east of Meru town
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- About
A national park of about 870 km², 350 km from Nairobi, protected since 1966 and managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service — where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab); Kenya News Agency (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Highlights
- The Meru Rhino Sanctuary, with black and white rhinos
- Thirteen permanent rivers, with the Tana River along the park
- Elephant, lion, leopard and cheetah
- Landscapes from the Nyambene foothills to semi-arid bush and grassland
Information status: Verified- Good for
- Safari
- Wildlife
- Photography
KenyaPlus categories. Dark: only here among these places.
- Suggested time
At least 2 days
Information status: UnconfirmedKenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
- Road time from Nairobi
~6 h, about 280 km — a long day
Information status: EstimatedDriving time on the road route from openrouteservice (OpenStreetMap data, built 2026-10-24), plus 20% for stops, towns and slower traffic. Real times depend on road condition, traffic and the time of day. Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
- When to go
Long rains March–May (peak expected in April in 2026); short rains October–December.
Information status: EstimatedA summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
For Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains starting in the 2nd to 3rd week of October and continuing into January.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
- Entry fees
KenyaPlus holds a fee record — see Meru National Park for figures and their label.
- Confirm before booking
- Road conditions to the park and inside it, especially after rain
- Accommodation inside or near the park
- Visiting arrangements for the rhino sanctuary