Getting to Kora National Park

Kora National Park is located in Tana River County, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometers. It is located 125 kilometers east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973. It was gazetted as a national park in 1989, following the murder of George Adamson by poachers.

Meru National Park and the Tana River mark 65 kilometers of the park’s northern boundary. Features of the Tana River include Adamson’s Falls, Grand Falls and the Kora rapids. Its eastern boundary is marked by the Mwitamvisi River. The park has several seasonal rivers.

There are two options of getting to Kora National Park, thus by road means and also by flight means.

By road

Kora is 280km/173mi to the northeast of Nairobi, which is roughly 4 – 5 hour’s drive via Thika, Mwingi, and Kyuso villages. There is an airstrip 10km on the eastern side of the park often used by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). A small bridge connects the park with the neighboring Meru National Park. A fully-equipped 4×4 is essential. If on an independent trip, it is advisable to travel with a companion.

By Air and Airstrips

The park can be accessed by 3 strips, Kyethoni airstrip, Kampi ya Simba airstrip, and Masanduku the airstrip in Meru National Park.

Tip: Kora is on the hotter side of Kenya, so ensure you are well stocked up with enough water as it is very hot/humid. Plan to be there for a day in advance, to explore all the places, such that you can enjoy the best of this park. A night in the park is wonderful. Note, there is no accommodation in the park yet. You will need to camp, or drive to Meru.

Talk to the Enclose Africa Safaris team before your trip to know how the roads to Kora National Park are (they get easily damaged by the rains) before you set off for your trip to the park.