For travellers seeking a wilder, less-travelled corner of Kenya, a safari to Meru National Park is an unforgettable choice. Tucked into the rolling landscapes east of Mt Kenya, Meru combines dramatic scenery with an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Made famous by the “Born Free” story of Elsa the lioness, the park has retained its raw, authentic character while becoming one of the best places for Big Five safaris in Kenya. Expect to see herds of zebra and buffalo grazing on open plains, elephants moving slowly through the bush, and predators like lions and leopards stalking their prey. The park is also home to both black and white Meru rhinos, protected in a dedicated sanctuary. With more than 400 recorded bird species, Meru is a paradise for both birdwatchers and safari enthusiasts. Exploration here goes beyond traditional game drives. Travellers can join guided walking safaris to experience the bush more intimately, or spend time learning about conservation efforts that protect the park’s wild animals. Accommodations range from family-friendly safari lodges to intimate camps, ideal for a romantic honeymoon safari. Less crowded than many other national parks in Kenya, Meru offers a safari that feels adventurous yet deeply personal. For those wanting to combine iconic landscapes with rich history and abundant wildlife, a Meru safari promises an experience that lingers long after the journey ends.
The best time to visit Meru National Park is during the dry seasons from June to October and January to February. These months offer excellent wildlife viewing, as animals gather around rivers and waterholes, making sightings of elephants, lions, and the black rhino more reliable. The dry season is also ideal for game drives and walking safaris, with open landscapes and clear skies creating perfect conditions for photography. November and December bring short rains, refreshing the bush and attracting migratory bird species, while April and May are the long rains, when the park is lush but roads can be muddy and some lodges may close. For families and couples planning a safari in Kenya, the dry months offer the most rewarding balance of comfort, accessibility, and wildlife encounters.
Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.
Nicole
With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!
Margherita
What can I say? We've had an absolute blast traveling through Namibia. Soooo many good new memories! We booked our trip a bit last minute but had amazing support from Viatu to get all the information in time.
Anna
Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.
Stefano
We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.
Valerie
Our South Africa vacation managed by Viatu based on our request turned out perfect. All logistics and transfers worked seamlessly with local professional personnel.
Svein
I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.
Manuel
We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!
Linda
We had an incredible journey with Viatu and many unforgettable memories in South Africa. The journey was tailor-made to our wishes and the communication with Alex really easy, friendly and helpful. All the information was accessible online at any time, nicely presented and structured in an overview.
Michèle
I had a once in a lifetime trip with Viatu. It was extremely exciting, adventurous and diverse! As my first trip, I found it to be very enjoyable. Everything was totally planned out from A to Z.
Irina
Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.
Nicole
With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!
Margherita
What can I say? We've had an absolute blast traveling through Namibia. Soooo many good new memories! We booked our trip a bit last minute but had amazing support from Viatu to get all the information in time.
Anna
Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.
Stefano
We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.
Valerie
Our South Africa vacation managed by Viatu based on our request turned out perfect. All logistics and transfers worked seamlessly with local professional personnel.
Svein
I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.
Manuel
We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!
Linda
We had an incredible journey with Viatu and many unforgettable memories in South Africa. The journey was tailor-made to our wishes and the communication with Alex really easy, friendly and helpful. All the information was accessible online at any time, nicely presented and structured in an overview.
Michèle
I had a once in a lifetime trip with Viatu. It was extremely exciting, adventurous and diverse! As my first trip, I found it to be very enjoyable. Everything was totally planned out from A to Z.
Irina