A Complete Guide to Kenya Safari: Meru National Park
"The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man." Charles Darwin
5/12/20247 min read
Safaris are among the most natural and beautiful trips to take. Imagine seeing elephants and lions in their instinctive habitat, living their daily lives as if you don’t even exist. When on a safari, it feels like you have stepped into a National Geographic show. But how can you get the most out of your experience on a safari and which one should you choose?
Africa is renowned for its safari experiences, and for good reason. Where else can you see so many different animals in one place? From the savannahs to the mountainside, you can choose the area that has the animals you are interested in seeing. For us, we wanted the quintessential “safari” experience and to see the Big Five, so we chose Kenya.
After researching the different national parks and asking friends for recommendations, we settled on Meru National Park and Elsa’s Kopje as the place to stay (https://www.elewanacollection.com/elsa-s-kopje-meru/at-a-glance). This choice did not disappoint. It is located in the Meru National Park, which spans 215,000 acres and is nestled inside Mughwango Hill. It is the only resort in the park, so the crowds are significantly reduced compared to most other national parks.
Elsa’s Kopje is known as the site where George Adamson’s original camp stood, made famous from the film “Born Free.” This is the place where Elsa and other orphaned lions were raised and then set free to live their lives in the wild. The resort is comprised of separate cottages on the hillside. Each morning, you awaken and set off for your morning safari before breakfast, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the animals enjoying theirs. Mornings and evenings are the best times to observe the animals in their natural environment because by noon, it gets too hot, and most of the animals are relaxing under the trees, making them harder to spot. This means you can return to the lodge to relax and cool off in the pool!
During our safari, we saw multiple lions, some returning home after a night’s hunting expedition, and some simply snoozing with their cubs. We witnessed elephant herds grazing, different types of zebras and giraffes moving through the tall grass, hippos bathing, countless bird species, a rhino sanctuary, and many more. The only animal that eluded us was the leopard, which we caught only a glimpse of hiding in the thick and thorny brush. After our morning safari, we would return for breakfast, swim, or enjoy a spa treatment. In the afternoon, we would head out again as the animals were either settling in for the evening or preparing for a night of hunting. Our guide was excellent. You can choose between private or community safaris. Whether you have your own guide or are with other people, the experience is magical. After dinner, you were escorted back to your cottage by a guide, provided with flashlights, and encouraged to stay inside your room as some animals hunt at night, and you don't want to be mistaken for prey. This resort is not a party place after hours.
Elsa’s Kopje is perfect for couples or families. The pool area is stunning, and the food is amazing. What stands out from our safaris are the little extras provided by the resort, like a breakfast set up in the middle of the park or sundowners (a fancy term for drinks at sunset) either on the massive rocks or atop the jeep.
When planning your trip to Kenya, note that you will most likely fly into Nairobi. Make sure to get a taxi from an official taxi stand outside, as the airport exit is crowded with people offering rides who may not be legitimate. From there, we spent one night in a hotel of our choosing; we selected the Marriott Sankara Autograph Collection hotel. Elsa’s Kopje will arrange the flight for the following day to their location. The resort will organize the airline and inform you of the details; you just need to get to the airport. The airline is strict about baggage weight allowance, so pack light. In the chilly morning as you head out for your safari, ensure to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt that can be easily removed once the sun rises and the heat sets in.
Safaris are among the most natural and beautiful trips to take. Imagine seeing elephants and lions in their instinctive habitat, living their daily lives as if you don’t even exist. When on a safari, it feels like you have stepped into a National Geographic show. But how can you get the most out of your experience on a safari and which one should you choose?
Africa is renowned for its safari experiences, and for good reason. Where else can you see so many different animals in one place? From the savannahs to the mountainside, you can choose the area that has the animals you are interested in seeing. For us, we wanted the quintessential “safari” experience and to see the Big Five, so we chose Kenya.
After researching the different national parks and asking friends for recommendations, we settled on Meru National Park and Elsa’s Kopje as the place to stay (https://www.elewanacollection.com/elsa-s-kopje-meru/at-a-glance). This choice did not disappoint. It is located in the Meru National Park, which spans 215,000 acres and is nestled inside Mughwango Hill. It is the only resort in the park, so the crowds are significantly reduced compared to most other national parks.
Elsa’s Kopje is known as the site where George Adamson’s original camp stood, made famous from the film “Born Free.” This is the place where Elsa and other orphaned lions were raised and then set free to live their lives in the wild. The resort is comprised of separate cottages on the hillside. Each morning, you awaken and set off for your morning safari before breakfast, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the animals enjoying theirs. Mornings and evenings are the best times to observe the animals in their natural environment because by noon, it gets too hot, and most of the animals are relaxing under the trees, making them harder to spot. This means you can return to the lodge to relax and cool off in the pool!
During our safari, we saw multiple lions, some returning home after a night’s hunting expedition, and some simply snoozing with their cubs. We witnessed elephant herds grazing, different types of zebras and giraffes moving through the tall grass, hippos bathing, countless bird species, a rhino sanctuary, and many more. The only animal that eluded us was the leopard, which we caught only a glimpse of hiding in the thick and thorny brush. After our morning safari, we would return for breakfast, swim, or enjoy a spa treatment. In the afternoon, we would head out again as the animals were either settling in for the evening or preparing for a night of hunting. Our guide was excellent. You can choose between private or community safaris. Whether you have your own guide or are with other people, the experience is magical. After dinner, you were escorted back to your cottage by a guide, provided with flashlights, and encouraged to stay inside your room as some animals hunt at night, and you don't want to be mistaken for prey. This resort is not a party place after hours.
Elsa’s Kopje is perfect for couples or families. The pool area is stunning, and the food is amazing. What stands out from our safaris are the little extras provided by the resort, like a breakfast set up in the middle of the park or sundowners (a fancy term for drinks at sunset) either on the massive rocks or atop the jeep.
When planning your trip to Kenya, note that you will most likely fly into Nairobi. Make sure to get a taxi from an official taxi stand outside, as the airport exit is crowded with people offering rides who may not be legitimate. From there, we spent one night in a hotel of our choosing; we selected the Marriott Sankara Autograph Collection hotel. Elsa’s Kopje will arrange the flight for the following day to their location. The resort will organize the airline and inform you of the details; you just need to get to the airport. The airline is strict about baggage weight allowance, so pack light. In the chilly morning as you head out for your safari, ensure to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt that can be easily removed once the sun rises and the heat sets in.
