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Eastern Kenya, east of Meru town

Meru National Park

Information status: Verified
Bush and acacia trees under a wide cloudy sky in Meru National Park, with hills in the distance

About Meru National Park

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: Verified

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

Suggested time

At least 2 days

Information status: Unconfirmed

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

KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.

When to go

Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Meru National Park, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.

  1. January: between the rains.
  2. February: between the rains.
  3. March: long rains.
  4. April: long rains, expected peak.
  5. May: long rains.
  6. June: between the rains.
  7. July: between the rains.
  8. August: between the rains.
  9. September: between the rains.
  10. October: short rains.
  11. November: short rains.
  12. December: short rains.
  • Long rains
  • Short rains
  • Between the rains
  • Expected peak (2026 outlook)
Information status: Estimated

Forecast: October–December 2026

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: Verified
Kenya's rainy seasons

More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.

Park entry fees

Information status: Verified

Meru National Park — daily entry

Per person, per 24 hours. Children under 6 enter free.

Meru National Park — daily entry: fees by visitor category
VisitorAdultChild
East African citizenKES 800KES 500
Kenya residentKES 1,100KES 675
African citizenUSD 40USD 20
Non-resident / foreign visitorUSD 70USD 40

Official KWS tariff "Conservation Fees 2025", supplied by the KenyaPlus owner and checked on 17 Oct 2026.

  • Listed by KWS as a wilderness park (group B), with Kora and Aberdare.
  • Entry is charged per person and is valid for one visit of up to 24 hours.
  • Children aged five and younger enter free; the child rate covers ages 5–17, and students up to 23 on an organised visit from their school or college.
  • Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and persons with disability are exempt.
  • Vehicle charges are extra (from KES 600 a day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats), as are camping and activities.

Guides for Meru National Park

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Sources

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