Explore the Untamed Beauty of Kora National Park – Wildlife & Adventure Awaits!

There is no place one would want to be other than the adventurous Kora National Park. The  Park is packed with so much to see and a rich history that a visit to it can be a very fascinating experience, especially over the dry seasons, either from December to February or July to November when it is hot and dry.

Kora national park is located north of Mwingi about 300km from Nairobi. Kora was gazette as nature reserve in 1973. The park which was bestowed the status of a national park in 1989 after a British warden George Adamson was murdered in the park by poachers is accessible by both road and air. One can take three to four hour drive from Nairobi via Thika to Mwingi then northwards to Tseikuru market. It is advisable to use a 4x4WD vehicle or opt to fly to the nearby Kyethoni airstrip at Tseikuru or the Kambi ya Simba airstrip which is right inside the park.

The park boasts of an immaculate wilderness characterized of tall monadnocks, a forest comprised of acacia woodlands, doum palm, riverine forests and other indigenous trees. The park is generally habittated by 720 plant species with 49 of them being native to the park.

The park is  crisscrossed by various rivers. River Tana stands out among all as it is the only permanent river in the park, the rest are all seasonal rivers.

The River Tana follows a sinuous trail through the park from Mount Kenya. From the river one can enjoy a fishing expedition where you can catch the Tilapia and Perch. The water is not devoid of the game too. There is a good number of crocodiles and hippos in the river.

There are also fascinating water falls to watch on the river. The is the Adamson Falls which was named after George and Joy Adamson in honour of their conservation efforts in Kora and Meru national parks. The river marks the northern border of Kora from Meru national park. There is also the Grands Falls. The Government has proposed to construct High Grand Falls dam at the falls. The dam eventually swallow the Kibunka Falls where the Tharaka Elders go to appease the spirit of kibunka.

 Kibunka was a leader of the Atharaka who drowned himself and all his possessions at the water fall after cursing the Atharaka people when they defied him yet he had led them to victory in many wars. The falls were named after him and a shrined was established at the falls. There is an annual festival even to date led by the Tharaka, Maasai and Meru elders to appease the spirit of Kibunka as it is believed his spirit still hovers around to haunt them, they appease it so that the region can receive good rainfall and a bumper harvest.

Tana River also features the Kora rapids.

Kora is home to various wildlife specials that are quite interesting adventure. There are the lesser Kudus, Elephants, stripped hyenas, leopards, lions, cheetahs dotted hyenas, hippos and Crocodiles.  

The park is expansive covering an area of 270 sq. km. it borders Mwingi game reserve, Meru National park and Tsavo west national park. a tour to the park can encompass rock climbing, fishing, game and bird watching, river rafting, rock climbing and visiting George Adamson’s grave.