Kora National Park offers a remote, rugged protected area in Eastern Kenya.
This park forms a key part of the larger Meru Conservation Area.
It is closely connected to the conservationist George Adamson, who established his lion rehabilitation programme here.
This work made Kora an important place for predator conservation.
Kora delivers a wilderness experience centred on quiet and self-reliance, unlike busy safari destinations.
It is designed for experienced travellers seeking an untamed environment with few other visitors.
A visit provides practical insight into a less-developed and essential part of Kenya's conservation system.
Kora National Park sits in Tana River County, about 280 kilometres northeast of Nairobi.
The Tana River, Kenya's longest river system, marks the park's southern edge.
The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres (690 square miles).
The park's semi-arid terrain features rugged rocky hills, dense Commiphora-Acacia bushland, and notable granite inselbergs.
Numerous seasonal riverbeds, known as *lagas*, cut through this varied topography.
These channels direct water into the Tana River when it rains.
Kora shares an unfenced boundary with Meru National Park to its west.
This setup allows wildlife to move freely between the two ecosystems.
Kora's geography features prominent inselbergs, which are isolated rock hills rising sharply from the plains.
Kora Rock, which gives the park its name, and the Murianda inselberg are the most notable.
These granite outcrops form unique small habitats and collect important water.
The network of seasonal *lagas* creates strips of riverine vegetation.
These areas provide essential food and shelter for wildlife during the dry seasons.
Kora National Park is home to many species adapted to semi-arid conditions.
It works as a vital dispersal area within the Meru Conservation Area.
The ecosystem also acts as a corridor for wildlife moving from the more densely populated Meru National Park.
Large mammals found in Kora include elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
The park is home to both spotted and striped hyenas.
The dense bushland offers an ideal environment for elusive animals like the lesser kudu, caracal, and wildcat.
Spotting these animals takes more effort than in savannah parks because of the thick vegetation.
However, the variety of life here is considerable.
African wild dogs are reported in the area from time to time.
Their movement makes sightings rare.
The park's birdlife gathers along the Tana River.
You can see species such as the Somali ostrich, giant kingfisher, and many raptors.
The river itself supports populations of hippopotamus and Nile crocodiles.
Beyond the dominant Acacia and Commiphora woodland, Kora's plant life stands out for its ability to withstand dry conditions.
Large stands of Doum palms (*Hyphaene compressa*) grow along the Tana River and the larger *lagas*.
The rocky inselbergs host specialised plants.
These include succulents like *Sansevieria* and aloes, which grow well in the thin, well-drained soils.
These small ecosystems add greatly to the park's overall variety of life.
The history of Kora National Park is largely shaped by the work of conservationist George Adamson.
Security challenges that later influenced its management are also a key part of this history.
The area was declared a reserve in 1973.
It became a National Park in 1990.
In the 1970s, George Adamson, known as "Baba ya Simba" (Father of Lions), moved his lion rehabilitation project from Meru to Kora.
At his camp, Kampi ya Simba, he and his assistant Tony Fitzjohn developed new ways to reintroduce captive-bred and orphaned lions into the wild.
This work highlighted the region's importance for conservation worldwide.
Adamson's murder by poachers in 1989 led to severe insecurity and intense poaching.
This destroyed the park's rhino population and greatly reduced elephant numbers.
In the years since, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has put strong security measures in place.
This has helped reclaim the park and manage its ecological recovery.
Today, conservation efforts in Kora focus on anti-poaching, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring.
KWS ranger patrols are essential for maintaining security across the park's vast terrain.
Collaborative projects with organisations like the Tsavo Trust and the Northern Rangelands Trust help with aerial surveillance.
They also collect data on important predator populations.
This work supports the long-term conservation strategy for Northern Kenya's lions.
A safari in Kora National Park is a trip that requires careful planning.
It offers a true wilderness experience.
The park has minimal tourist infrastructure.
This defines its character and appeals to self-sufficient travellers and specialised safari operators.
Main activities include game drives through the challenging terrain and birdwatching along the Tana River.
The dense bush makes wildlife tracking a primary activity.
Finding animals becomes as important as seeing them.
You will often be the only vehicle present during wildlife encounters.
This provides an unmatched level of exclusivity.
Because Kora is remote and lacks internal facilities, it is best visited as a day trip.
You can base yourself in the adjacent Meru National Park.
This setup allows you to experience Kora's untamed environment.
You can then return to the established accommodation and services in Meru.
The best times for visiting Kora National Park are the two dry seasons.
These run from June to September and January to March.
During these months, the weather is hot and dry, and vegetation is thin.
Animals gather around the Tana River and other water sources, making wildlife easier to spot.
The wet seasons, with long rains from April to May and short rains in November, are unsuitable for travel to Kora.
Heavy rainfall makes the park's black cotton soil tracks impassable.
Even fully equipped 4x4 vehicles struggle, creating major logistical difficulties.
The Kenya Wildlife Service classifies Kora as a Wilderness Park.
The following park entry fees apply for 2026.
They are charged per person for each 24-hour period.
Payment is cashless, accepted only via M-Pesa or credit/debit card.
| Visitor Category | High Season (Jul - Mar) | Low Season (Apr - Jun) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Adult | USD 50 | USD 35 |
| Non-Resident Child/Student | USD 25 | USD 20 |
| East African Resident Adult | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
| East African Resident Child/Student | KES 500 | KES 250 |
| Kenyan Citizen Adult | KES 500 | KES 300 |
| Kenyan Citizen Child/Student | KES 250 | KES 215 |
Kora National Park's remote location requires careful planning for access.
You will need a fully equipped 4x4 vehicle to enter the park.
This is due to the state of approach roads and the undeveloped internal track network.
The road journey from Nairobi is about 280 kilometres and takes five to six hours.
The main route follows the paved A3 road (Thika-Garissa highway).
It then turns onto unpaved earth tracks for the final approach to the park gates.
A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is essential.
Scheduled commercial flights do not operate into Kora National Park.
Air access usually happens through scheduled flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport (WIL) to airstrips in the adjacent Meru National Park.
Kinna Airstrip is one such option.
From Meru, you will need a road transfer to enter Kora.
Private charter flights can be arranged to land at one of Kora's basic airstrips.
This is a more expensive option for travel.
All international visitors travelling to Kenya must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before their departure.
The eTA system replaced the previous visa system.
Applications must be submitted online.
You should apply at least 72 hours before travel to allow time for processing.
A valid passport and flight details are necessary for the application.
The main entry points into Kora are the Kora Gate and Adamson's Gate.
The park operates with standard KWS hours.
Gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.
Entry after 18:00 is not allowed.
All visitors must exit the park or be in a designated campsite by 19:00.
Accommodation options within Kora National Park are limited to basic camping.
This suits self-sufficient expeditions.
Permanent lodges or tented camps are not available inside the park.
The only accommodation inside Kora offers several designated public campsites, managed by KWS.
These undeveloped sites offer no facilities such as water, power, or sanitation.
Campers must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing all their own equipment, food, water, and fuel.
Booking with KWS beforehand is essential.
The most practical way to visit Kora is to stay in the neighbouring Meru National Park.
Meru offers a range of options, from luxury lodges to mid-range tented camps.
Using a property in Meru as a base allows for full-day, guided trips into Kora.
You then return to standard amenities and services.
This approach combines Kora's raw wilderness with the comfort and support of an established safari destination.