Tag: bird watching

Kenya’s hidden gem: Meru National Park

Mount Kenya region

Welcome to one of the largest and most beautiful National Parks of Kenya. Meru National Park is a vast and varied ecosystem, situated to the east of Mount Kenya. It does not often get included into the trip itineraries, whilst it is definitely worth a long and thorough exploration. Meru National Park is a perfect destination for a curious wildlife enthusiast with passion for calm landscapes, long game drives, the story of Lioness Elsa of Born Free, encounters with Big Five and watching beautiful birds.

  • Meru National Park was one of the two areas where Joy and George Adamson raised the lioness Elsa. The grave of Elsa is located on the National Park’s territory: at the Park’s southern end, off the northern bank of Ura River.
  • This is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 400 bird species recorded.
  • Established as a National Park in 1966 and governed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
  • Home of African bush elephant, hippo, Grevy’s zebra, leopard, cheetah, eastern black rhino, southern white rhino and many others.
Waterways, home to many wild inhabitants, define many game drive routes here
Grasslands and doum palms of Meru National Park
Roads are comfortable even for a full day game drive
Waterbuck, zebra, lesser kudu, hartebeest share generous grasslands

There are two roads to Meru National Park from Nairobi:

  • Via Nyeri and Nanyuki. This travel option is perfect for those who wish to visit Aberdare area, Mount Kenya and game reserves nearby (we recommend Ol Pejeta game reserve), and Samburu National Park. You will experience a drive with increasing altitudes, stunning scenery and many encounters with developing rural Kenya.
  • Via Embu to Meru. A busier road with local traffic, more suitable for experienced drivers familiar with the area.

Ikweta Safari Camp

We recommend Ikweta Safari Camp: the home of affordable safari luxury, just 2 km away from the Murera Gate of Meru National Park. Their tents are large, beautifully decorated with local crafts and well equipped with carefully maintained facilities. At Ikweta Safari Camp you will also find an excellent swimming pool, well supplied restaurant and a great setting for a romantic dinner under the star studded sky.

  • Relaxed, cosy and private
  • All comforts in your tent
  • Reading, chatting or just observing and listening to nature?
  • Nature is always nearby, even when you take a nap

Planning your trip to Meru National Park

Empakaai Cultural Safari team is always here to help you plan and organise your trip to Meru National Park, or create a tailor made trip including this exciting hidden gem of Kenyan wildlife.

Treat your body, mind and senses with wild nature of Meru National Park… and a stunning sunset!

Visit our Instagram @empakaai_cultural_safari for more impressions from Meru National Park. Write to us: empakaai.cultural.safari@gmail.com

Uganda is closer than you think

Uganda is a perfect destination for those who appreciate close encounters with wildlife. You can literally get close, really close. Uganda is famous for its rainforests where some of the big apes, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, can be visited in their natural environment.  Uganda is one of the best places in East Africa to find hippos, in river Nile and in many lakes. There are active conservation efforts taking place in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to reintroduce rhinos in Uganda, so you can get close to these wonderful giants by foot here. Uganda is a paradise for bird watchers, and even guests who might not be that interested in birds at the start of their trip, learn to appreciate their beauty and variety here.

Uganda is rich, serene, chaotic and surprising. With many places to visit and lots of things to do, a good plan and a perfect organisation is essential – and we in Empakaai Cultural Safari can make it all work for you!

Here is a sample itinerary for a 2-week trip in Uganda. As with all Empakaai Cultural Safari trips, we will discuss and adjust the itinerary to your wishes and your dates. The price of this trip will depend on your accommodation choice: camping or budget hotels, as well as activities included in the programme – and the choice of activities is really impressive!

So put Uganda on your bucket list, or even better, on your trip plan for this year, and let’s discuss how to make it happen with your dates, your wish list and your budget.

Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park: game drive and boat trip on river Nile

Day 3: Murchison Falls to Ziwa, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 4: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Fort Portal

Day 5: Fort Portal, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest

Day 6: Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park, boat trip on Kazinga Channel

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla trekking

Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi, boat trip

Day 10: Kabale to Lake Mauro

Day 11: Lake Mburo to Jinja

Day 12: Jinja, boat trip to the source of river Nile

Day 13: Jinja to Kampala

Empakaai Cultural Safari team has got many years of experience in leading trips in Uganda. Contact us on empakaai.cultural.safari@gmail.com to discuss your trip dates and wishes. Uganda is closer than you might think!

For more foto impressions from Uganda, check out and follow our Instagram page @empakaai_cultural_safari:

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