![\"3](\"https:\/\/africanspicesafaris.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/meru-national-park-animals.gif\")
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There are 13 rivers in\u00a0Meru National Park,<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0lots of rainfall, dense jungle, verdant swamp and endless green rolling hills. In short, this park is wild and beautiful.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also lots of space here because Meru is an underrated park with few visitors. Which means it is uncrowded, unspoilt and you\u2019re likely to have much of it to yourself.<\/p>\n That is, you and the lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, black and white rhino, zebra, crocodiles and hippos. And over 400 species of birds like falcon, woodpecker, starlings, kingfisher and sunbirds which inhabit the river areas.<\/p>\n But what should be the official bird of Meru, would be the phoenix. Because like the phoenix, this wondrous park has risen from the dead. Literally.<\/p>\n Once one of the more popular parks in Kenya, 40,000 visited every year to enjoy Meru\u2019s woodlands, streams and abundant wildlife. However, in the late 1970\u2019s and into the 80\u2019s there was a surge of poaching and the park\u2019s large mammals were decimated. 80% of Meru\u2019s rhinos were slaughtered as were 90% of its elephants.<\/p>\n This once popular reserve, one of the homes of Joy Adamson of \u201cBorn Free\u201d fame, and the land where she released Elsa the lioness back into the wild was all but abandoned by man and beast.<\/p>\n But then in 2000, the Kenya Wildlife Service with the help of the International Fund for Animal Welfare came to the rescue. The park\u2019s infrastructure was rebuilt and perhaps more importantly, a new dedicated force of anti-poaching rangers was brought in to protect the wildlife.<\/p>\n Another improvement was the introduction of a poacher-proof rhino sanctuary. There are now some 80 protected black and white rhinos within this secured 80 sq. km (30 sq. mi) preserve.<\/p>\n This \u2018park within a park\u2019 is under continual guard and is one of the best places in Kenya to view these endangered species.<\/p>\n Still, despite its stunning topography, its river life and bountiful display of animals rivalling most Kenya parks\u2026 and all the best efforts of rangers and conservationists, Meru has not regained its stature nor the popularity of its peak years.<\/p>\n But that just makes the park wilder, untrammelled and more exciting for you.<\/p>\n Meru lies north east of Mt. Kenya and is 350 km (220 mi) from Nairobi.<\/p>\n The tall grass and rich swamps here are a result of plentiful rain during the wet season. Average daytime temperature is 32\u00b0C\/90\u00b0F. The heaviest rains bring in yearly amounts of about 762mm (30 in) in the park\u2019s western areas.<\/p>\n The park is open all year, but the best wildlife viewing is during the dry season from June to September.<\/p>\n All weather roads will take you from Nairobi. The roads within the park have been upgraded but can deteriorate in the rains.<\/p>\n By air: The main airstrip is at Kina, Mulika.<\/p>\n![\"Meru](\"https:\/\/gorillasafarisrwanda.com\/data1meru\/images\/lion.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAbout Meru National Park<\/h2>\n
![\"MERU](\"https:\/\/naturaltracksafaris.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/meru-national-park.jpg\")
<\/p>\nClimate:<\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Best time to visit:<\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Getting there:<\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Meru](\"https:\/\/www.uyaphi.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/hero_1200\/public\/kenya\/reserve\/meru-national-park-1.jpg?itok=CekP-8Bx\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/pridedrivetours.co.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Meru-National-Park.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Elsa's](\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/nature\/files\/2010\/12\/naat-002806-timeline-mez.jpg\")
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