Kora National Park is a remote and rugged protected area located in Eastern Kenya, forming a key part of the greater Meru Conservation Area. The park is famously associated with the conservationist George Adamson, who lived and rehabilitated lions here, earning it the nickname the "Place of Lions."
Unlike the more popular safari destinations like the Masai Mara or Amboseli, Kora offers a sense of genuine wilderness and solitude. It is a destination suited for adventurous travelers who want to experience an untamed landscape with very few other visitors. A visit here provides a look into a wilder, less-developed side of Kenya's conservation story.
Kora National Park is situated in Tana River County, approximately 280 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. The park's southern boundary is defined by the Tana River, which is Kenya's longest river. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometers (690 square miles).
Its terrain is semi-arid and is characterized by a rugged landscape of rocky hills, prominent inselbergs (isolated rock outcrops), and dense acacia bushland. This diverse topography is interspersed with seasonal rivers, known as *lagas*, that drain into the Tana River.
Kora directly adjoins Meru National Park to the west, creating a large, unfenced conservation area that allows for the free movement of wildlife between the two parks.
Kora National Park supports a diverse range of semi-arid wildlife species that are well-adapted to its rugged environment. The park is an important part of the greater Meru Conservation Area, serving as a dispersal area and migration corridor for animals moving from the more visited Meru National Park.
Large mammals found within Kora include elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. It is also home to both spotted and striped hyenas. The dense bushland provides an ideal habitat for species like the lesser kudu.
Sightings can be more challenging than in open savannah parks due to the thick vegetation, but the diversity of wildlife is significant. Wild dogs have also been reported in the area, though they are elusive.
The park's birdlife is abundant, particularly along the Tana River. Notable species include the Somali ostrich, the giant kingfisher, and numerous birds of prey. The river itself supports populations of hippos and crocodiles.
The history of Kora National Park is defined by the work of the conservationist George Adamson and the subsequent challenges of protecting the area. The region was first established as a reserve in 1973 and was later gazetted as a full national park in 1990.
George Adamson, famously known as "Baba ya Simba" (Father of Lions), relocated his lion rehabilitation project here from Meru National Park in the 1970s. He and his assistant Tony Fitzjohn lived at a camp in Kora called Kampi ya Simba, where they worked to reintroduce captive and orphaned lions back into the wild. This work brought international attention to the area.
Following Adamson's murder by poachers in the park in 1989, Kora faced a difficult period of intense poaching that decimated much of its wildlife, particularly rhinos and elephants.
In recent years, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has made significant efforts to restore security and manage the park's recovery. It continues to play an important role in the long-term conservation strategy for Northern Kenya's lion populations.
A safari in Kora National Park offers a different experience from Kenya's more famous destinations. The focus here is on genuine wilderness and self-sufficiency. The park has minimal tourist infrastructure, which is a key part of its appeal for adventurous travelers.
The primary activities are game drives through the rugged landscape and birdwatching along the banks of the Tana River. The thick bushland can make wildlife spotting more of a challenge than in open parks like Amboseli, but the sightings are often more rewarding due to the solitude. It is common to be the only safari vehicle in a sighting.
Because of its remote nature and basic facilities, Kora is best visited as part of a combined itinerary with the adjacent Meru National Park. A typical approach is to use a lodge in Meru as a base and take a full-day excursion into Kora.
This allows you to experience Kora's wildness while returning to more comfortable accommodation. A visit here is a glimpse into what a safari felt like before the development of mass tourism.
The best time to visit Kora National Park is during the two main dry seasons: from June to September and from January to March. During these periods, the weather is hot and dry, and the vegetation is less dense, which makes it easier to spot wildlife. Animals also tend to congregate closer to the Tana River, the park's main permanent water source.
The wet seasons, from April to May (the long rains) and in November (the short rains), are generally not recommended for a visit. The heavy rains can make the park's unpaved tracks impassable, even for 4x4 vehicles.
The landscape becomes beautifully green and lush during this time, but the logistical challenges of access are significant.
For travelers from Germany, the main dry season from June to September aligns perfectly with the summer holiday period. This provides an opportunity to experience Kenya's wilderness during a time of optimal weather conditions for a safari.
Kora National Park's remote location means that getting there requires careful planning. The park is approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles) northeast of Nairobi, and access is only practical with a 4x4 vehicle due to the rough condition of the final stretches of road.
The journey by road from Nairobi takes approximately five to six hours. The route follows the paved Thika-Garissa highway before branching off onto unpaved tracks to enter the park. A robust 4x4 safari vehicle is essential for this trip, as the park's internal road network is undeveloped.
There are no scheduled commercial flights directly to Kora National Park. The most common way to access the region by air is to take a scheduled flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to one of the airstrips in the adjacent Meru National Park, such as the Kinna Airstrip. From there, it is a road transfer into Kora.
For direct access, it is possible to arrange a private charter flight to one of the park's basic airstrips, but this is a much more expensive option. Most visitors find it more practical to visit Kora as part of a broader safari circuit that includes Meru.
Accommodation options inside Kora National Park itself are minimal and are suited for self-sufficient, adventurous travelers. There are no permanent lodges or tented camps within the park boundaries.
The only official accommodation within Kora is a few designated public campsites managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). These are basic sites that do not provide any facilities like water or restrooms. Visitors planning to camp here must be completely self-sufficient, bringing all their own camping equipment, food, and water.
The most practical and comfortable way to visit Kora is to stay at one of the lodges or tented camps in the neighboring Meru National Park. Meru offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury lodges to mid-range camps. This allows you to use a comfortable base and make a full-day excursion into Kora with your guide.
This approach provides the best of both worlds: you get to experience the untamed wilderness of Kora during the day and return to the comfort and amenities of a proper safari lodge in the evening.