Kora National Park is a conservation area located in Tana River County, in Kenya. It is a hidden land covering an area of 1,788 square kilometres established 125 kilo meters East of Mount Kenya. The park’s topography has gentle slopes from an altitude of 490 m (1,610 ft) in the south-west to an altitude of about 270 m (890 ft) in the north-east. The central area of the park is an undulating peneplain. Basement ridges protrude above the surface of the delta as rocky pinnacle, domed hills or hard rocks that rise steeply from the surrounding area making it a unique gem to visit.
History of Kora National Park
Kora National Park was attracted by the colonialist and conservationist George Adamson who resided in the area in 1970. George was a passionate conservationist of orphaned Lions in the park. The park was first gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973. It was then gazetted as a national park in 1989, following the murder of George Adamson by the poachers.
The park had serious problems with poachers in the 1980s and 1990s. George Adamson and two of his assistants were murdered by poachers in the park in 1989. Adamson is buried in the park with three lions he released.
What is unique about Kora National Park?
Wildlife
The land scape of Kora National Park has favoured shrubs that attract a variety of wildlife species such as African leopard, African bush elephants, cheetah, genet, lions, antelopes, serval, wild cats, hippopotamus, hyenas, caracal and many other animals.
Birds
The park boosts of over 300 birds including water birds attracted by tana river. The birds include, helmeted guineafowl, knob billed duck, Egyptian goose, crested francolin, speckled pigeon, ring necked dove, red chested cuckoo, white browed coucal, African palm swift, marabou stork, hadada ibis, African fish eagle and much more.
Classic Topography
The park’s topography offers unique viewing experiences for wildlife during walking safaris and game drives.
Adamson’s Falls and Kora rapids.
Every traveller should not miss the stunning Adamson’s water falls situated southwest of Meru national park named after George Adamson and his wife Joy.
George Adamson Grave
A visit to George Adamson’s grave is a testimony of passion about wildlife conservation to the man who settled in the wilderness for a decade raising a cub to a lioness before his death.
Problems facing kora national park
Poaching
Poaching has been the major challenge affecting conservation efforts at this park, where a number of wildlife are killed. The park authority is now putting up sensitization programs teaching communities about the importance of protecting wildlife. The rangers are active with surveillance gadgets and patrols to ensure the park is fully protected from poachers.
Conflicts between wildlife and human beings
When Authorities neglect proper conservation methods there are risen human wildlife conflicts from the communities surrounded by the park where lions, leopards and elephants kill human beings.
How to get there
By road
Kora national park can be accessed by road taking 280km to the northeast of Nairobi, which is about 4 to 5 hour’s drive via Thika, Mwingi, and Kyuso villages to Kaningo gate or Masyungwa gate. You can as well access through Nairobi, Nanyuki, Meru national park and enter the park via Adamson’s gate.
By Air
The park can be accessed by 3 strips, kampi ya simba airstrip, Kyethoni airstrip and Masanduku airstrip in Meru.
Other activities to experience near Kora national park
Note that kora national park is so close to Meru National Park that are connected by River Tana. You can have more encounters such as exceptional Wildlife Safaris, Rhino sanctuary experience, birdwatching, Elsa’s and pippa’s grave, the equator and much more.