Meru National Park: God’s Background

I’ve racked my brain for the last three days trying to get a fitting description for Meru National Park.‭ ‬The breathtaking beauty,‭ ‬unadulterated wilderness,‭ ‬stunning views and unending sceneries can only be summed as God’s Backyard.‭ ‬Meru National Park which had one of the biggest branding process was dubbed‭ ‘‬Complete Wilderness‭’ ‬which is most fitting.‭ ‬I’m nervous writing this because I need to do justice to the place,‭ ‬anything less would not suffice‭ ‬-at the end of which I hope you’ll join me there for Easter.

Meru National Park,‭ ‬is part of the Meru Conservation Area‭ (‬MCA‭) ‬which covers‭ ‬4‭ ‬National Reserves‭ ‬:‭ ‬Meru,‭ ‬Bisandi,‭ ‬Kora and Mwingi,‭ ‬in which‭ ‬14‭ ‬rivers pass through and has‭ ‬5‭ ‬swamps.

Meru National Park is truly on the cutting edge of tourism as they are the only park in Kenya that have night game drives‭ (‬which are a ball of fun esp with a little alcohol in your system‭)‬,‭ ‬they also have fishing‭ (‬catch and release as of now‭) ‬and are planning to introduce white water rafting.‭ ‬In a nutshell I don’t think anyone will be at loss of activities at the Park,‭ ‬the only down side is you may run out of time before doing everything.

I didn’t believe that such a place of beauty could be kept as a secret for quite a while so now my duty is to reveal it to every one.‭ ‬The first thing about Meru National Park that strikes you,‭ ‬is the staff courtesy,‭ ‬from the Senior Warden Mr.‭ ‬Robert M.‭ ‬Njue,‭ ‬the Educational Officer Lucy to the driver one thing I can guarantee you you’ll end up making great friends.‭

The second thing thats so great about Meru National Park is the affordability,‭ ‬accommodation is extremely affordable with hostels prices at Ksh‭ ‬200‭ ‬per day‭ (‬yes Ksh‭ ‬200‭ ‬ONLY‭) ‬see the full price structure below.‭ ‬Entrance fees are also at Ksh‭ ‬200-‭ ‬forget OlePolos Meru National is the new out.

Also I was thoroughly impressed by the biodiversity,‭  ‬in most places you’re told about the animals that live in the park at Meru National,‭ ‬you actually SEE them.‭ ‬From Rhinos at the Rhino Sanctuary within the park‭ (‬say a big hi to Issa and the team,‭ ‬in their‭ ”‬office‭”) ‬to lions that come so close you almost get eaten,‭ ‬elephants and giraffes are everywhere‭ ‬-‭ ‬in fact if you can get accommodation at Bwatherongi camp,‭ ‬there’s a in-house giraffe called Lucy who’ll let you pose with her.

Our drives took us to‭ ‘‬Kenya’s Best Kept Secret‭’ ‬Elsa’s Kopje which,‭ ‬if Meru National is God’s background,‭ ‬Elsa’s Kopje would be His favourite spot.‭ ‬I’ll let the pictures tell you the story,‭ ‬but I’d like to thank Anthony who welcomed us very well.‭

All in all words and pictures cannot do justice the beauty at Meru National,‭ ‬which is a masterpiece,‭ ‬seeing is believing.‭ ‬If you don’t have plot for Easter or you were to go to OlePolos‭ ;‬-‭)‬,‭ ‬head down to Meru National and discover‭ ‘‬Complete Wilderness‭’‬.‭

I promised the Senior Warden Njue I’ll scream on top of the mountain about his beautiful secret so please,‭ ‬when you head there,‭ ‬say hi or leave a message from me to him,‭ ‬Lucy‭ (‬Educational Officer not the giraffe‭)‬,‭ ‬Issa etc.‭

Rates:
S/NO
ACTIVITY
RATE‭ @ ‬KSHS

ADULTS
STUDENTS
1
Wedding photo taking
Ksh‭ ‬2500‭ ‬per group/‭ ‬day
Ksh‭ ‬2500‭ ‬per group/‭ ‬day
2
Wedding reception‭ (‬Bwatherongi‭)
Ksh‭ ‬15‭ ‬000‭ ‬per group‭ ‬/‭ ‬day
Ksh‭ ‬15‭ ‬000‭ ‬per group‭ ‬/‭ ‬day
3
Hostels
Ksh‭ ‬200‭ ‬per person‭ ‬/day
Ksh‭ ‬100‭ ‬per student‭ ‬/day
4
Class Rooms‭ (‬for meetings‭) ‬40‭ ‬people
Ksh‭ ‬1500‭ ‬per group‭ ‬/day
Ksh‭ ‬1500‭ ‬per group‭ ‬/day
5
Murera Guest House‭ (‬3‭ ‬bedrooms‭)
Ksh‭ ‬6000‭ ‬per day
Ksh‭ ‬6000‭ ‬per day
6
Murera Luxury Bandas with TV
Ksh‭ ‬2500‭ ‬per day
Ksh‭ ‬2500‭ ‬per day
7
Murera Bandas
Ksh‭ ‬2000‭ ‬per day
Ksh‭ ‬2000‭ ‬per day
8
Kinna Luxury Bandas
Ksh‭ ‬2500‭ ‬per day
Ksh‭ ‬2500‭ ‬per day

Note:
These tarriffs do not include Park entry fee
The demand is high so advance booking is encouraged
You may book through merutourism@yahoo.com
For hostels a booking fee of Ksh‭ ‬1000‭ ‬is charged.

VISITOR PARK ENTRY FEES‭ (‬MERU NATIONAL PARK‭)‬:

Non Residents‭
(US$‭)
Kenya Residents‭ (‬KSH‭)
Kenya Citizens‭
(KSH‭)
Adults
40
1000
200
Children‭*
20
500
100
Students
10
100
50

CAMPING SITE:

Non Residents‭
(US$‭)
Kenya Residents‭
(KSH‭)
Kenya Citizens
(KSH‭)
Adults
10
300
150
Children‭*
5
100
50
Students
5
100
50

‭*‬Persons above‭ ‬3‭ ‬years but below‭ ‬18‭ ‬years

For more information and rates,‭ ‬Please email:‭ ‬merutourism@yahoo.com
Website:‭ ‬www.kws.org
Senior Warden Robert M.‭ ‬Njue:‭ ‬rnjue@kws.org‭

(See the pics in Gallery soon)

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