Meru National Park, located in eastern Kenya, is a diverse and less-visited park known for its rich wildlife and scenic landscapes. Covering an area of about 870 square kilometers, the park features a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, riverine forests, and swamps, intersected by numerous rivers and streams originating from the Nyambene Hills. This diversity of ecosystems supports a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, and over 300 bird species. The park is also famous for being the release site of the lioness Elsa, made famous by the book and film “Born Free.”

Visitors to Meru National Park can enjoy a more secluded safari experience, with opportunities for game drives, guided walks, and bird watching in a pristine environment. The park’s rivers, such as the Tana and Ura, are home to large populations of hippos and crocodiles, and the surrounding landscapes provide stunning vistas and photographic opportunities. The park also includes the adjacent Kora National Park, which together form a vast conservation area. Meru’s varied landscapes and abundant wildlife, combined with its relative tranquility compared to more popular parks, make it an ideal destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari adventure.