Meru National Park

Meru is a lot less busy than some of Kenya’s more popular parks, and has an unspoilt feel. All of the Big Five are present. Elephant and buffalo are very common, and there is an enclosed rhino sanctuary containing both black and white rhino. The park is extremely scenic with tall doum palms growing along the park’s many watercourses.

Pros & Cons

Good wildlife viewing with some dry country specials

Never very busy

Stunning scenery

Excellent birding with dry country specials

Great accommodation options

Animals aren’t very habituated

Predator sightings are hit-and-miss

Most people will appreciate Meru National Park for its northern specials, which are animals that are specially adapted to arid conditions. The reticulated giraffe is distinguishable by its dramatic pattern. Grevy's zebra occur alongside the smaller and more common Burchell's zebra. This is one of few places to encounter the shy lesser kudu and the impressive looking beisa oryx. Most odd of them all is the gerenuk with its elongated neck.

Wildlife

Meru offers good overall wildlife viewing and is home to the Big Five. Elephants are particularly common and relaxed. Big cat sightings are hit-and-miss. There is a chance of spotting a white or black rhino in the drive-in rhino sanctuary, although the vegetation is extremely thick. Hippos and Nile crocodiles are common along the Tana River.

Wildlife Highlights

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Meru can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is in the Dry season from June to September, when animals congregate around predictable water sources. Wildlife viewing is usually more difficult during the long rains (March to May) and short rains (October to November). At this time the grass tends to be very high, making spotting animals more difficult. Elephants migrate out of the park in the rainy season.

With more than 300 species recorded, Meru is an excellent birding destination. It has several northern Kenya specials, including the impressive Somali ostrich, Boran cisticola and vulturine guineafowl. The noisy yellow-necked spurfowl is very common and the sought-after Hinde’s babbler can sometimes be spotted as well. The rivers running through the park offer the right habitat for Pel’s fishing-owl, the elusive African finfoot and the localized golden palm weaver as well as more common water birds.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Kenya
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries

Best Time for Bird Watching

Meru offers good bird watching throughout the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and north Africa are present. This coincides with the breeding season when many species are nesting. Although good for birding, April tends to be very wet and is a less productive time for general wildlife viewing.

Meru can be visited throughout the year, but wildlife viewing is best in the Dry season from June to September. Wildlife watching is usually more difficult during the long rains (March to May), and the short rains (October to November). During this time the grass tends to be very high making spotting animals more difficult. Elephants migrate out of the park in the rainy season.

Best Time June to September is best for general wildlife viewing(Little to no rainfall)

High Season December to March and July to October (The park never gets very busy)

Low Season April to June (Low-season rates might apply)

Best Weather June to September (Little to no rainfall)

Worst Weather April and November (Wettest months)

June to February –Dry Season

It is sunny with little to no rain
The grass is short and animals gather around water sources, making spotting easier
The park never gets very busy
Very hot and dry
A lot of dust is in the sky

March to May –Wet Season

The park is close to empty and low-season rates may apply
Skies are clear of dust, the park is green, and there are lots of flowers
Many newborn animals
Bird watching is excellent and migratory birds are present
Wildlife viewing is harder as the grass is long and animals disperse
April can be very wet and rain might interfere with your game drives
Some roads can become very bad after heavy rain

Meru has a hot, arid climate. Temperatures are fairly uniform through the year. Daytime temperatures are around 32°C/90°F, and at night temperatures fall to about 17°C/63°F. The Wet season from November to May is characterized by two periods of rain: the ‘short rains’ peak in November, and the ‘long rains’ peak in April.

Dry season–July to October

It is hot, sunny and dry. It seldom rains and humidity is very low. The temperature peaks in October but the first rains break the heat and bring relief.

June, July, August & September – It is mostly sunny and there is no rain at all. Afternoons are hot with temperatures reaching 31°C/88°F, but evenings and early mornings are cooler with temperatures of around 16°C/61°F.
October – Temperatures increase and it gets extremely hot before the rain breaks the heat. Average afternoon temperatures are about 33°C/91°F, but it peaks a lot higher. When the rain finally comes, it is a huge relief after the long Dry season.

Wet season–November to May

The wet season is divided into three parts: the ‘short rains’ from November to December; the ‘long rains’ from March to May; and a dry period in between. Aside from April and November, rain figures aren’t very high.

November & December – The rain might start in October or November. November is usually the peak of the short rains. Temperatures tend to build up before the rain and drop immediately after. Average afternoon temperatures reach up to 32°C/90°F.
January & February – This is a dry spell in the wet season. These are the hottest months with an average temperature of 34°C/93°F.
March, April & May – These months see the long rains. April is by far the wettest month and roads can become impassable. The rain dwindles in May, but roads might be bad until late May. Afternoon temperatures are around 33°C/91°F.

Meru National Park is located 355km/220mi northeast of Nairobi and 60km/37mi east from Meru town. Many people visit Meru by 4x4 on an organized safari while visiting several other parks. However, there are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to one of two airstrips inside the park. It is also possible to organize a private charter from any other park, or Nanyuki. The distance from Samburu NP is about 150km/93mi and the driving time is about 2½ hours.

Transport links to Nairobi are very good as this is East Africa’s main transport hub. International flights arrive in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

Charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of their tour package. Scheduled flights to Meru NP can be booked with Airkenya and leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi.

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.

Safety

Most parks and reserves in Kenya, such as Meru National Park, are safe to visit in our opinion. It would be very rare to encounter crime in Meru or any developed park in the country. However, when visiting towns between parks in Kenya, normal urban safety precautions should be taken. Read ‘Cities and Other Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below for more information. When following these precautions, you shouldn’t have any crime issues during your visit.

Several vaccinations need to be taken before coming to Kenya. Meru lies at low altitude and malaria is present, especially in the Wet season. Aside from taking antimalarials, the use of mosquito repellent containing DEET and covering up in the evening is highly recommended.

In our opinion, Kenya is generally safe to visit. The tourist industry is very established and visitors are very well looked after. Several governments have advised against traveling to some cities and remote border areas, but tour operators will only take you to places that are considered safe. For more info on these travel warnings, see the advisory links below. There is crime in big cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, but most issues can be avoided by following basic safety precautions. More than a million tourists visit Kenya every year, and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free.

Below are tips on staying safe in Kenya.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guides will ensure your safety at all times – all you have to do is follow their instructions and always keep your distance from wild animals. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so. For additional tips:

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Malaria & Vaccinations – Kenya

The information on this page is just a brief, general guide and should not be used in replacement of a consultation with your travel doctor.

Malaria

The information on this page is just a brief, general guide and should not be used in replacement of a consultation with your travel doctor.

Malaria Risk

High risk throughout the country except in high altitude areas over 2,000m including Nairobi, Nairobi NP, Laikipia plateau and Mt. Kenya. Most safari parks are high-risk zones. The highest risk of transition is during the rainy season from September to April.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible