Luxury Safaris in Meru National Park made for you
Kenya
An untamed northern wilderness
Very much like the Samburu, Meru National Park became famous through Joy Adamson’s novel ‘Born Free’ which was published in 1960 and later became a well known movie.
The touching story of Elsa the orphaned lion cub who was raised by George and Joy Adamson in an attempt to rehabilitate her is well known. The success of the rehabilitation is brought to life in this park and it is easy to get caught up in the tale when you take the time to visit their former home and Elsa’s grave which can be found here.
Elsa’s story isn’t the only reason to come to this equator-straddling park. Meru stays wonderfully quiet compared to the Mara. And that’s exactly what makes a luxury Meru National Park safari so appealing. You’ll get standout game viewing in a lesser-known corner of Kenya.
Fringed by a chain of hills on its western edge, Meru National Park has an abundance of water with plentiful rainfall and some 13 rivers coursing their way across the landscape. Swamps, forests, savannah and bush form a varied patchwork in which you can find equally diverse range of wildlife.
There are white and black rhino, some free roaming within a special sanctuary, as well as elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, innumerable plains game and over 300 bird species. There are also mammals typical of northern Kenya such as Grevy’s zebra, the long-necked gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and beisa oryx.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Kenya safari specialists
Spot rare species
Embark on private game drives and spot the Big Five, alongside Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and beisa oryx.
Visit Elsa's memorial
Visit Elsa the lioness’s memorial and learn how her real-life story inspired Joy Adamson’s Born Free.
Spot birdlife on the riverbanks
Follow Meru’s riverine pockets and swamps along the water’s edge, scanning the banks for birdlife such as Pel’s fishing owl and the elusive Peter’s finfoot.
Spend time in the Rhino Sanctuary
Spend time in Meru’s ring-fenced Rhino Sanctuary with local rangers, who’ll explain the conservation work and what their day-to-day looks like.
Night drive in a private concession
Head out on an exclusive night drive in a private concession near Meru to spot nocturnal wildlife with your guide explaining how the bush changes after dark.
Luxury Meru National Park safari lodges
There are many incredible places to stay close to Meru National Park. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Sasaab Lodge
An exclusive and luxurious escape combined with a Samburu bush experience
Discover more
Why book with Jacada?
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Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
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Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
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Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Meet your Africa team
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Angela Thomas
Client Experience Manager for Africa
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Charlie Cottar
Travel Designer
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Chloe Ainscow
Travel designer
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David Drayton
Travel Designer
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Ellie Smith
Travel Designer
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Emily Wallington
Senior Travel Designer
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Jacob Maahs
Senior Travel Designer
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Jamey Lowis
Senior Travel Designer
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Jess Thompson
Travel Designer
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Jody van Merode
Senior Travel Designer
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Kamogelo Dolo
Africa concierge
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Robynne Trueman
Africa Concierge
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Sara Bellemore
Travel Designer
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Tor Saner
Senior Travel Designer
When to visit
Meru National Park is a great year-round safari, but June to October is the sweet spot for classic game viewing. The weather is dry, roads are in good conditions and wildlife tends to gather around the water sources. January to February is a short dry, lower-season window with good visibility. And for greener landscapes, look to November to December; expect thicker vegetation and little rain.
Classic game viewing
June–October
Short dry season
January–February
Green season and birdwatching
November–December
When Is the Best Time to Visit Kenya?
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Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.