Meru National Park

🇰🇪 Kenya

🦒 Somali Giraffe Thrives at Meru
🌍 #24 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #19 in Africa #19 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Kenya 1176 spp. recorded

Meru National Park is a protected tropical savanna located in the lowlands east of Mount Kenya. Its terrain features open grassland, tall riverine woodland, and dense acacia scrub cut by permanent streams. Unlike heavily visited southern reserves, this remote northern sanctuary remains quiet and wild, famous for its populations of stately Somali Giraffe, heavy African Bush Elephant, and sturdy Waterbuck.

0.143° N   38.149° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Reticulated Giraffe ★

Reticulated Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa reticulata

80–90% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
White Rhinoceros ★

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

80–90% · Very likely
Yellow-necked Francolin
LC

Yellow-necked Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis leucoscepus

80–90% · Very likely
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
LC

White-headed Buffalo-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dinemellia dinemelli

80–90% · Very likely
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
LC

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plocepasser mahali

80–90% · Very likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

70–80% · Very likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

70–80% · Very likely
Gray-headed Kingfisher
LC

Gray-headed Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Halcyon leucocephala

70–80% · Very likely
Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver
LC

Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bubalornis niger

70–80% · Very likely
White-browed Coucal
LC

White-browed Coucal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Centropus superciliosus

70–80% · Very likely
White-Bellied Go-Away-Bird

White-Bellied Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides leucogaster

60–70% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

60–70% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Reticulated Giraffe ★

Reticulated Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa reticulata

80–90% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
White Rhinoceros ★

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

60–70% · Likely
Kirk's Dik-dik
LC

Kirk's Dik-dik

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Madoqua kirkii

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely
Lesser Kudu
NT

Lesser Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus imberbis

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax
LC

Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Heterohyrax brucei

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Grant's Gazelle
LC

Grant's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nanger granti

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Unstriped Ground Squirrel
LC

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Xerus rutilus

40–50% · Likely
Naked Mole Rat
LC

Naked Mole Rat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Heterocephalus glaber

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

80–90% · Very likely
Yellow-necked Francolin
LC

Yellow-necked Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis leucoscepus

80–90% · Very likely
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
LC

White-headed Buffalo-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dinemellia dinemelli

80–90% · Very likely
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
LC

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plocepasser mahali

80–90% · Very likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

70–80% · Very likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

70–80% · Very likely
Gray-headed Kingfisher
LC

Gray-headed Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Halcyon leucocephala

70–80% · Very likely
Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver
LC

Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bubalornis niger

70–80% · Very likely
White-browed Coucal
LC

White-browed Coucal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Centropus superciliosus

70–80% · Very likely
White-Bellied Go-Away-Bird

White-Bellied Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides leucogaster

60–70% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

60–70% · Likely
Northern Red-billed Hornbill
LC

Northern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus erythrorhynchus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Kenyan Rock Agama
LC

Kenyan Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama lionotus

50–60% · Likely
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

30–40% · Possible
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

Insufficient data
Ashe's Spitting Cobra
LC

Ashe's Spitting Cobra

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Naja ashei

Insufficient data
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

Insufficient data
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

Insufficient data
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

Insufficient data
Eastern Bark Snake
LC

Eastern Bark Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Hemirhagerrhis hildebrandtii

Insufficient data
Black-headed Micrelaps
LC

Black-headed Micrelaps

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Micrelaps vaillanti

Insufficient data
African Five-lined Skink
LC

African Five-lined Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis quinquetaeniata

Insufficient data
Reticulated Centipede-Eater
LC

Reticulated Centipede-Eater

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Aparallactus lunulatus

Insufficient data
Antillean House Gecko
LC

Antillean House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus angulatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Subdesert Toad
LC

Subdesert Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Sclerophrys xeros

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Dry Season Waterhole Concentration

Aug

As dry conditions peak in August, African Bush Elephants and Waterbuck congregate tightly around dwindling permanent rivers and waterholes for reliable hydration.

Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Wet Season Calving and New Growth

Feb

In February, African Buffalo and Lions experience increased behavioral activity as newborn calves draw opportunistic predators onto the flush green plains.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
🦎

Post-Rain Reptile and Gazelle Activity

Mar

Following early seasonal rains in March, Kenyan Rock Agamas bask prominently on warmed boulders while Grant's Gazelles forage across rejuvenating grasslands.

Kenyan Rock Agama
LC

Kenyan Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama lionotus

50–60% · Likely
Grant's Gazelle
LC

Grant's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nanger granti

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Reticulated Giraffe
70–80
80–90
90–100
70–80
60–70
90–100
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
90–100
Lion
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
60–70
40–50
70–80
70–80
20–30
60–70
White Rhinoceros
40–50
40–50
60–70
20–30
50–60
20–30
40–50
60–70
20–30
20–30
80–90
60–70
African Bush Elephant
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
30–40
70–80
60–70
60–70
Superb Starling
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
90–100
90–100
70–80
Yellow-necked Francolin
70–80
90–100
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
90–100
70–80
80–90
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
70–80
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Helmeted Guineafowl
50–60
80–90
60–70
90–100
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
80–90
90–100
70–80
Fork-tailed Drongo
60–70
70–80
50–60
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
60–70
Gray-headed Kingfisher
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
80–90
70–80
Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver
40–50
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
50–60
White-browed Coucal
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
White-Bellied Go-Away-Bird
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
90–100
50–60
50–60
Lilac-breasted Roller
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
Olive Baboon
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
40–50
30–40
60–70
60–70
Animal Events
🦌 Dry Season Waterhole Concentration
🦌 Wet Season Calving and New Growth
🦎 Post-Rain Reptile and Gazelle Activity

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦒 Somali Giraffe Thrives at Meru

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
768
🐒 Mammals
243
🦎 Reptiles
135
🐸 Amphibians
30
1176 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
45 Threatened 26 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
76%
📊
Coverage (293 species at ≥5% of 1176 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
25%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
222
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
38
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
57

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Meru National Park?

The most likely sightings are Superb Starling (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Yellow-necked Francolin (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Reticulated Giraffe (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers) — among 1176 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Meru National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Reticulated Giraffe in Meru National Park?

Yes — about 84% of wildlife watchers report a Reticulated Giraffe sighting in Meru National Park, based on 33 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Meru National Park?

Yes — about 59% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Meru National Park, based on 24 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White Rhinoceros in Meru National Park?

Yes — about 54% of wildlife watchers report a White Rhinoceros sighting in Meru National Park, based on 20 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Meru National Park?

Yes — about 66% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Meru National Park, based on 32 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

Meru or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Samburu National Reserve 📍 85 km 🦒 Somali Giraffe Roaming Samburu Savannah

Samburu National Reserve

🇰🇪 Kenya 🌍 #23 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #18 in Africa #18 in Savanna & Grassland
Aberdare National Park 📍 178 km 🦌 Northern Bushbuck Thrives in Aberdare

Aberdare National Park

🇰🇪 Kenya 🌍 #16 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Africa #12 in Savanna & Grassland
Nairobi National Park 📍 221 km 🦁 Spot Wild Lions Overlooking Skyscrapers

Nairobi National Park

🇰🇪 Kenya 🌍 #21 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #16 in Africa #16 in Savanna & Grassland
Lake Nakuru National Park 📍 236 km 🦩 Kenya's Premier Rhinoceros and Flamingo Sanctuary

Lake Nakuru National Park

🇰🇪 Kenya 🌍 #22 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #17 in Africa #17 in Savanna & Grassland