Meru National Park

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

Wildlife

Meru is home to the Big Five. Elephants migrate through the park and big herds can sometimes be encountered. Big cats are more difficult to spot, but it isn’t rare to have a sighting all to yourself. Northern Kenya specials include beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, and the odd-looking gerenuk. The rare Grevy's zebra occurs alongside the more common Burchell's zebra.

• More about Meru's wildlife

Scenery

Meru is particularly scenic. The Tana River on the southern boundary is the largest waterway in Kenya, and several small streams run through the park. Beautiful doum palms and baobab trees are silhouetted against the sky, and with the red soil, make a striking background for arid-adapted animals.

Weather & Climate

The levels of precipitation change dramatically over the course of a year. Most of the Dry season (June to October) sees very little rain. This changes in October, when the rainfall edges up in advance of the Wet season (November to May), leading to a peak of wet weather in April. The opposite is true of temperatures at Meru, whose location near the equator ensures consistent daytime temperatures of around 32°C/90°F.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time to Visit

The lack of rain in the Dry season (June to October) makes this the best time to get to Meru. The grass doesn’t grow much, making the wildlife easier to spot, and conditions are generally better for navigating the park’s lovely landscape. In the wetter months, high grass tends to obscure the animals, and elephants depart for drier ground.

• More about the best time to visit

Want to Visit Meru NP?

• Meru safaris and tours
• Tour operators for Meru