Meru National Park
Kenya's forgotten national park
Meru National Park is one of the least visited wilderness sites in Kenya, yet it still offers sightings of the Big Five and excellent birdwatching. This is Kenya without the crowds.
Today the park is most known for its buffalo. There are huge numbers of these grumpy, dangerous cattle along with plenty of antelope, zebra and over 300 bird species. The park is also known for its rhino sanctuary, a vast fenced ‘park within a park’ where around forty rhinos (both black and white) live in safety.
There’s not a huge choice of accommodation in the park, but what there is is good. If you have the budget then the best bet is Elsa’s Kopje, also recommended is Meru Camp, and for those on tighter budgets there are cheap options in the nearby town of Maua or there are the basic camping spots within the park.
Hidden gems in Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Ikweta Safari Camp
Ikweta Safari Camp is my go-to recommendation for Meru. It’s just 1.5 km from Murera Gate, the main entrance to Meru National Park, so you’re straight into the action without the long morning transfers that many other camps require. It combines comfort, affordability, and genuine hospitality in a way that I find rare this close to the park. Budget wise, Ikweta is at the upper mid-range. The camp is intimate, only ten tents, and service here feels personal rather than perfunctory. I always feel more like visiting family than a paying guest. A lot of that comes down to the owner, who is hands-on in a way you rarely see in safari camps these days. She’s there every morning making sure you’re well looked after, and her familiar warmth filters through the entire team. The camp has got half an eye on its green credentials – it runs entirely on solar power and grows a lot of its own food – but then again it does have a swimming pool in a water-stressed part of the world, so it’s not perfect. There are a few practical details that you won’t find in the marketing: The access road can get bumpy, especially in the rains, so a 4x4 is essential. With only ten rooms, it books up quickly in peak season, so early reservations are wise. And remember that park fees aren’t included in the room rate, budget for those separately. Ikweta is part of a small network of sister properties across Kenya, which opens up interesting options for linking itineraries, but it never feels corporate or formulaic. Overall it’s a great choice for service, intimacy and authenticity.
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Meru National Park
Rhino River Camp
I have stayed at Rhino River Camp a few times. It has been acquired by the Gamewatchers Porini group, who have done a good job of renovating the camp and bringing it up to a high standard. The camp is situated in 60 acres of private land immediately adjoining the rest of Meru National Park. It consists of seven semi-permanent cottages, most of which overlook the Kindani River with the sound of gently flowing water ever present. The camp is on the river in a very tropical setting as you can see from the photos with the swimming pool next to the river. It’s right on the edge of the National Park in this amazing jungly location – I remember thinking I was somewhere like Costa Rica! My personal highlight: the lovely bushbabies that had made themselves at home right in the dining area, was just delightful.
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Meru National Park
Meru Wilderness camp
Meru Wilderness is a traditional style mobile camp with space for just eight guests. It's operated by Laikipia Wilderness, and I know the couple who run it personally. This is the classic, simple safari experience: bucket en-suite showers, drop toilets, meals served in the dining tent or under the shade of a nearby tree. Meru Wilderness pairs nicely with the sister camp in Laikipia.
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Meru National Park
Elsa’s Kopje
This is the best lodge in what is, for me, one of the best safari parks in Kenya. Named after Elsa the lion, of Born Free Fame, the lodge sits on an outcrop with simply incredible views over Meru. Owned by Kenya-based Elewana Collection, it’s undeniably pricey – high season rooms start at around USD $950 per night and climb steeply from there – but worth a night or two if your budget can stretch that far. If that’s beyond your means I can also recommend Meru Camp and there are cheaper options in the nearby town of Maua.
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Ikweta Safari Camp
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Rhino River Camp
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Meru Wilderness camp
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Meru National Park travel companies
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