Meru was one of the two areas in which conservationists George Adamson
and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness made famous in the best selling
book and award winning movie Born Free. Elsa the Lioness is buried in
this park and part of Joy's ashes were scattered on her grave site. Joy
Adamson released Pippa the cheetah in this park.
Between the years
2000 and 2005, the Kenya Wildlife Service, helped by the International
Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), restored Meru National Park from near
ruin to one of the most promising tourist destinations in Eastern
Africa, solving the parks poaching problem. IFAW donated $1.25 million
to this major restoration project, and with this money aided in
improving the basic infrastructure and provided essential equipment and
vehicles for law enforcement activities.
The Mulika Lodge Airport
serves Meru National Park. Tourist attractions include the home of
George and Joy Adamson, Adamson's Falls, views of Mount Kenya, and the
Tana River