MERU NATIONAL PARK
Meru National Park is a Kenyan forest reserve located 350 km from Nairobi, covering an area of 870 km². This is where George and Joy Adamson released several hand-reared animals, including the son of the famous lioness Elsa (immortalised in the book Born Free) and their cheetah Pippa.
Special Features: Straddling the equator and bisected by 13 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams, Meru National Park is wild and one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya. It has diverse scenery from woodlands to wide-open plains, meandering riverbanks, hilly landscapes and rich grey alluvial volcanic soil deposits. Three large rivers border the reserve: the Tana to the south, the Ura to the south-west and the Rojeweru to the east.

Game viewing in Meru includes large herds of buffalo, bushbuck, duiker, eland, elephant, gazelle, genet, giraffe, hartebeest, impala, kudu, waterbuck and zebra. Expect to see baboons, hyena, jackal, kudu, large prides of lion, mongoose, Oryx, Oribi, Vervet monkeys and warthog. You may see wild dog, bushbaby, caracal, cheetah, civet, Dik-dik, leopard, otter, bush pig, porcupine, Black and white rhino. The rivers abound with hippo and crocodile and fishing is permitted at camp sites and along the Tana River. Birdlife includes Peter’s finfoot which inhabits the Murera and Ura Rivers, the Pel’s Fishing Owl, Kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters, starlings and numerous weavers.

Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is located on the banks of Uaso Nyiro river, across is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. It is 104 km² in size and 350 kilometers from Nairobi. Samburu National Reserve is very peaceful and attracts animals because of River Uaso Nyiro (meaning "brown water" and pronounced U-aa-so-Nyee-ro) that runs through it and the mixture of acacia, riverine forest, thorn trees and grass vegetation.

There is a wide variety of animal and bird life seen at Samburu National Reserve. Several species are considered unique to the region and they are the Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, and the Somali Ostrich. Other mammals frequently seen in the park include African Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Gerenuk, African Buffalo, Grant's Gazelle, Kirk's Dik-dik, Impala, and Waterbuck.

Samburu National Reserve can be entered via the Ngare Mare, Chokaa, Archers Post and Western gates. Once inside the reserve, there are two mountains visible: Koitogor and Ololokwe. The Uaso Nyiro flows from the Kenyan highlands and completes down stream at the famous Lorian Swamp. At Circle K Safaris, this is one of our favourite parks due to the diversity and the rare animals, some of which are only seen here.

Accommodation: Among others, we use Samburu Serena Safari Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Lodge, Sarova Shaba Lodge, Samburu Lodge, Larsens Tented Camp, and the new Simba Lodge coming up at Buffalo Springs. Very good camp sites are also available.

Mount Kenya National Park

The Mt. Kenya National Park covers an area of approximately 500 sq. km (195 sq. miles). Mt. Kenya is located within this park and it highest peak, Batian, stands at 5,199 metres (17,058 ft) above sea level. Although volcanic in nature, it does not retain the smooth contours of many other volcanic mountains, but is instead crowned by two snow covered peaks.

The forest below the moorland has an abundance of wildlife including rhino, buffalo, bushbuck, elephants, leopard, spotted hyena, the rare bongo, duicker, and the giant forest hog. Lions are also present, although their sightings are rare. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded including the crowned eagle, mountain buzzard, giant kingfisher and mountain wagtail. The Verreaux's eagle soars high over the moorland where they find plenty to eat, including the plentiful hyraxes. Tracks of the rare leopard and wild dog packs have been found in the park.

Circle K Safaris has excellent safaris covering this region, including mountain climbing with our expert. We also arrange for river trout fishing upon request. The Naru Moro river, which has it's source from the melting snow on the mountain, is a favourite with plenty of trout to be found. Good quality accommodation is plentiful, including numerous camping sites, well priced cottages and regular hotel rooms.

Aberdare National Park
This park stretches over a wide variety of terrains because it covers altitudes from about 7,000 feet to 14,000 feet above sea level. Established in May 1950, the Aberdare National Park covers an area of 767 square kilometers and forms part of the Aberdare Mountain Range. The park offers a wide range of beautiful landscapes.
Special Features: Karuru Waterfalls - the highest in Kenya, plunging 273m in three steps. 40 species of animals - lions, rhinos, forest hogs, leopards, colobus monkeys, elands, bongo elephants, etc., and over 200 bind species. Noted as a rhino sanctuary.

Access: Open all year round, 215km north of Nairobi and 17km from the town of Nyeri, then through the Ruhuruini, Kiandogoro and Wandare gates, approximately 48km from Naivasha on the west, through the Mutubio gate.
Accommodations: World-famous Treetops, the Ark Lodge, Outspan Hotel and Kiandogoro Fishing Lodge.
Nights are cold, with temperatures often below freezing.