Meru National Park is a renowned birding destination due to its rich and varied bird species. The park boasts an incredible diversity of habitats which supports a wonderful array of birds and mammals. With a bird list of more than 300 amazing species, Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most productive and enriching birdwatching destinations.
Meru National Park has an area of 870 square kilometers; sitting on the equator and divided by 14 permanent rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams. Meru National Park is one of the most famous birding and least crowded parks in Kenya, located in a part of an enormous expanse of savanna in the basin of the Tana River on the relatively rainy eastern side of Mount Kenya. Meru National Park has three bordering parks and reserves. Bisanadi National Reserve forms the continuation of the park to the east, while on the other side of the Tana River, to the south, lie North Kitui National Reserve and the much bigger Kora National Park.
Meru National Park gets most of its waters from Nyambene Hills, the park gets progressively drier as you head southeast towards the Tana River, where the altitude averages around 300 meters and temperatures are correspondingly higher, owing to the many south-east-flowing Rivers, much of the park feels like an assortment of long islands sandwiched between the rivers, with park roads gyrating back and forth over crossing points. These beautiful clear streams, lined in the upper reaches with lush riverine forests and in places forming open swampy areas, provide an authentic haven for river and wetland bird species. Meru National Park sweeping grasslands give way in the East at altitudes dipping below 400 meters about (1300 feet) to despairingly dense Commiphora thickets and dry grey thorns interspersed with towering baobabs rooted in dusty red soil.
Meru National Park has more than 300 bird species recorded a reflection of the many contrasting habitats found within it, which is a remarkable and immensely enriching birding destination in Kenya. This legendary birdy park is one of the top birding destinations in Kenya, offering a year-round birding experience, with cool mornings and pleasant days.
Meru National Park is a convergence zone for coastal and inland birds that are usually well isolated geographically. Meru National Park is a great place to find corresponding dry country birds, including Somali Ostrich, Red-winged Lark, Swallow-tailed Kite, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Somali Courser, Golden Pipit, and Tsavo Sunbird. Aside from dry scrub, other habitats to search out include grasslands and riverine forests. This varied habitat mix makes Meru a dynamic birding experience.
Wildlife is abundant as well. Meru National Park has a huge number of Elephants that normally graze together; the number can go up to 300 in one herd. There is also a successful Black Rhino sanctuary that has a flourishing population. North of Equator mammal species are also encountered in Meru National Park, such as the rare Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, and Naked Mole Rat.
Notable and interesting bird species in Meru National Park;
White-eared Barbet, Black and White Flycatcher, African Finfoot, Hinde’s Babbler, Black-headed Lapwing, Quail Plover, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Swallow-tailed Kite, Eastern Yellow Hornbill, Golden Pipit, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Somali Bee-eater, Heuglin’s Courser, Taita Falcon, Pangani Longclaw, White Helmetshrike, Pygmy Batis, Northern Brownbul, Donaldson-smith Nightjar, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Grasshopper Buzzard, Eastern Crested Guineafowl, Shining Sunbird.
A full-day birding in the famous Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers a wealth of possibilities, the park hosts exciting bird species and special animals. Ol Pejeta exhibits such a versatile geography, endowed with endless rolling plains, rivers, marshes, and wetlands which are responsible for the great variety and abundance of birds and mammals. There is a lot to see here- fabulous birds, endless splendid wildlife sightings including the alarmingly rare Northern White Rhino. The climate is mostly cool, dry and enjoyable throughout the year.
