Tourist activities to do in Kora National Park: Kora National Park is located in Tana River County, northern boundary with Garissa as the nearest city in Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometers east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a national park in 1989, formally from gazette as a former reserve in 1973, following the murder of George Adamson by poachers.
The park has various species that include striped hyenas, serval cats, antelopes, cheetahs, elephants, genets, and caracals as well as a variety of colorful bird species. The Park is the former home of famed wildlife conservationist, George Adamson, or ‘baba ya Simba’ (Father of Lions). It was here that the lion Elsa, of Born Free fame, lived. The former reserve had serious problems with poachers in the 1980s and the 1990s – George Adamson was murdered by poachers here in 1989. There are plans for creating a lion sanctuary at Kora. Until then, the main appeal is its pristine, untouched wilderness, which can be explored by any self-sufficient adventurer. Other stunning attractions found here include Inselbergs, pristine wilderness, Grand Falls, Tana River and Adamson falls among others. However, this article will take you deep into some of our highlights of a safari to Kora National Park. some of these activities include;
Game Drives
One of the most exciting tourist activities to do in Kora National Park is going on a game drive. Visitors get to see a variety of animals like caracal, Tanzanian cheetah, African bush elephant, hippos, spotted and striped hyenas, African leopards, lions, serval, hippos, wildcat,s and serval types of antelopes among others. There are different times for game drives: in the morning, for the whole day, or in the evening. The morning drives are the best since most animals are out and about, while during the evening and day, they tend to stay hidden.
Rock Climbing
If you’re looking for adventure, Kora National Park is a fantastic spot for rock climbing. The highlight is Kora Rock, a place with a special history. This is what famous wildlife conservationist George Adamson used to call to lions. It’s a unique experience to climb this rock and think about the connection he had with these magnificent animals.
Guided Nature Walks
Visitors can also take guided nature walks through the park. These walks will lead you along the rivers and through different trails, providing beautiful views of the landscape and opportunities to see wildlife up close.
Fishing
Fishing at the Tana River is popular, particularly among local communities who rely on it for their livelihoods. The river has many twists and turns, sandy areas, and other features that make fishing here an enjoyable experience. Just be aware that the fishing conditions can change with the tides.
Bird Watching
Kora National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with various species to spot. During your birdwatching excursion, you’ll have the chance to spot different bird species such as White-rumped Shrike, Wire-tailed Swallow, Rüppell’s Starling, African Gray Flycatcher, Hunter’s Sunbird, White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch, Vulturine Guineafowl, Speckled Pigeon, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Black Kite, Blue-naped Mousebird, Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Von der Decken’s Hornbill and Pygmy Falcon among others.
Visit Kampi Ya Simba
Kampi Ya Simba is a special camp that once housed George Adamson’s lions. It’s a nostalgic place where he raised and trained them before releasing them back into the wild. Visitors can tour the area with a Kenya Wildlife Service ranger, and those interested in spending the night can arrange it with the caretaker. There are no fixed fees, so you can contribute what you feel is fair based on your group size and stay length.
Camping Adventure
Camping at Kora National Park is a great way to enjoy nature. The campsite has flushing toilets and cold showers, which are refreshing after a hot day. Evenings can be warm, and while bugs may be a nuisance, the stunning night sky filled with stars makes it all worthwhile.
Visit Tana River
The Tana River in all its beautiful looks inviting, but you would be wise to not take the plunge. This stunning rive is home to various water species such as crocodiles, and hippos as well as different colorful bird species. During your visit, you’ll have an unforgettable view of the colorful creatures found around the river.
Explore Natural trails.
Discover the hidden beauty of nature here, as you take a breakaway in the wilderness. The treasure of hidden secrets of nature can be experienced in this park, as it’s totally lost in the wilderness. The park isn’t crowded, allowing you to escape into the wild and truly connect with the environment during a walking safari.
Pay Tribute to George Adamson
In the park, you can visit George Adamson’s grave, which is located near his brother Terance and two lions named Super Cub and Mugi. Super Cub was one of the lions released into Kora after George’s passing. Today, you might also find Tony Fitzjohn, George’s former assistant, who is now a conservationist making his own mark in wildlife preservation.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KORA NATIONAL PARK.
The best time to visit Kora National Park is during the Dry season from June to September, when there are less grasses, making it easy to spot the wildlife from a distance as they also tend to collect themselves around the water points. The dry season also makes camping amazing and easy to drive to the area.
WHERE TO STAY IN KORA NATIONAL PARK.
Kora National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for group travelers. These accommodations ranges from luxury, midrange and budge such as Elsa’s Kopje lodge, Kinna guest house, Meru guest house, Chui cottages, Murere cottages and others. Guests can as well enjoy the camping like the Ken mare, Rojoweru, Kampi Baridi, Kanjoo and many others.
HOW TO GET TO KORA NATIONAL PARK
Getting to Kora National Park can be done in two main ways: driving or flying.
By Road
Kora National Park is located about 280 kilometers (or 173 miles) northeast of Nairobi. If you decide to drive, it usually takes around 4 to 5 hours. The common route goes through Thika, Mwingi, and Kyuso villages. There’s also a small airstrip about 10 kilometers east of the park, mainly used by the Kenya Wildlife Service. A bridge links Kora with the nearby Meru National Park. If you’re driving yourself, it’s important to have a sturdy 4×4 vehicle and it’s a good idea to travel with someone.
By Air
You can reach the park by air through three airstrips: Kyethoni, Kampi ya Simba, and Masanduku, which is located in Meru National Park.
Contact our trusted tour operators for information and inquiries about tourist activities to do in Kora National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Kenya.
