Herd of zebra grazing in the warm afternoon in Meru National Park.

© TONY NJOROGE/Shutterstock

Meru National Park

Kenya


Marred by serious poaching in the 1980s and the subsequent murder of George Adamson in 1989, Meru National Park fell off the tourist map and has never quite managed to struggle back on. This is a pity, because it has all the essential ingredients for a classic safari destination with fine accommodation, excellent prospects for seeing lions and rhinos and a landscape that incorporates Hemingway-esque green hills and fast-flowing streams bordered by riverine forests, baobab trees and doum palms.

The advantage of being one of Kenya's best-kept secrets is plain to see – you're likely to have much of it all to yourself.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kenya attractions

1. Rhino Sanctuary

4.66 MILES

A signposted hard right not long after entering Murera Gate takes you to Meru’s 48-sq-km Rhino Sanctuary, one of the best places in Kenya to see wild…

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