Meru National Park in Murera Gate, Meru: Tickets, Hours and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Murera Gate, Meru
Photo: Auto-generated feature card
Meru National Park is a quiet KWS park of about 870 sq km, famous for Elsa the lioness and its rhino sanctuary, about 350 km from Nairobi. Entry is KSh 800 per adult for East African citizens, paid online and valid for 24 hours. Allow 5 to 6 hours to drive from Nairobi.
What is Meru National Park?
Meru National Park is a KWS wilderness park of about 870 sq km east of Meru town, roughly 350 km from Nairobi. It is best known as the home of Elsa the lioness from Born Free, whose grave is in the park, and it has a rhino sanctuary, reticulated giraffe, elephants and lions along 13 rivers including the Tana and Rojewero. It sees far fewer visitors than the more famous parks.
The drive from Nairobi takes five to six hours, so most families stay overnight or fly into the park's airstrips. Fees follow the KWS conservation tariff, are valid for 24 hours and are paid online through KWSPay. All KWS parks are single-use plastic free zones.
Meru is known for its rhino sanctuary, and Elsa the lioness from Born Free is buried in the park.
Meru National Park ticket prices 2026
| Visitor type | Adult | Child (3 to 17) |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya / East African resident | KES 800 | KES 500,317 |
| Non-resident | KES 70 | KES 40 |
KWS conservation fee schedule (October 2025) for Meru, Kora and Aberdare: East African citizens KSh 800 adult / KSh 500 child; Kenya residents KSh 1,100 / KSh 675; African citizens USD 40 / USD 20; non-residents USD 70 / USD 40. Fees are valid for 24 hours. Vehicle, camping and activity fees are extra. A third-party guide notes that child figures on KWS's live page and the fee PDF do not match, so confirm the child rate in the payment flow.
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💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Pay online before you go KWS fees are cashless | Overnight if you can
Is it right for your child's age?
| Age group | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Okay | Game drives with plenty of breaks | 3–5 years |
Key details
- Address
- Meru National Park, east of Meru town, Meru County (Murera Gate is the main entrance), Meru
- Suitable ages
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
What to expect when you visit
Pay your KWS fee online through KWSPay and carry your receipt and ID. Enter at Murera Gate or another gate and drive the park tracks for wildlife viewing.
Take your own water in a reusable bottle, as KWS parks are single-use plastic free.
Family essentials
- Safety notes
Stay in your vehicle except at marked points and follow park rules. All KWS parks are single-use plastic free.
Tickets and costs
- Free entry rules
- No
- Extra costs (activities, rentals, food)
Vehicle fee, camping, guides, activities
Plan your visit
- How to get there
East of Meru town in Meru County; Murera Gate is the main access. KWS lists about 348 km from Nairobi via the Meru and Maua approach.
- By car
- About 350 km, roughly 5 to 6 hours from Nairobi, depending on traffic
- Combine with
Meru Museum
- What to bring
Reusable water bottle, binoculars, camera, hat and sunscreen
What to pack
Tick off what you have. Your list saves automatically on this device.
Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Meru National Park?
- Kenya and East African resident adults pay KES 800 and resident children (ages 3 to 17) pay KES 500,317. Non-resident adults pay KES 70 and non-resident children pay KES 40. KWS conservation fee schedule (October 2025) for Meru, Kora and Aberdare: East African citizens KSh 800 adult / KSh 500 child; Kenya residents KSh 1,100 / KSh 675; African citizens USD 40 / USD 20; non-residents USD 70 / USD 40. Fees are valid for 24 hours. Vehicle, camping and activity fees are extra. A third-party guide notes that child figures on KWS's live page and the fee PDF do not match, so confirm the child rate in the payment flow.
- How do you get to Meru National Park?
- About 350 km, roughly 5 to 6 hours from Nairobi, depending on traffic. East of Meru town in Meru County; Murera Gate is the main access. KWS lists about 348 km from Nairobi via the Meru and Maua approach.
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