More information on iKWETA Safari Camp

iKWETA Safari Camp is an international class, nationally-accredited Tented Safari Camp, and recipient of a Gold Award from Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority, and is recognized for promoting Affordable Safari Luxury in Mount Kenya region. It is located just outside Meru National Park, 2.5km from Murera Gate on the road in from Meru, thus enabling its guests to be inside the park in minutes… By choice, iKWETA Safari Camp is a small camp (only 10 Guest Tents), and is owner-operated. It has adopted an eco-friendly approach to design, layout, and operations to ensure guests enjoy natural elegance and comfort on safari at Best Value for Money. Accommodations are on Full-Board basis (all meals included as well as applicable taxes). The name ‘ikweta’ is Kiswahili for ‘equator’ (which traverses Meru National Park). iKWETA Safari Camp opened for business in November, 2011. It has received many awards and acclamations in recognition of its quality service performance: – Gold Award: Tourism Regulatory Authority of Kenya, 9 February 2024. – Top Choice in Kenya: Lonely Planet, 2024. – 2024 Traveller Award: Booking.com. – Certificate of Excellence/Travellers’ Choice award: Tripadvisor, every year in a row for the past 11 years – from 2014 to 2024. – Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame: Tripadvisor, twice in a row – in 2018 and 2019. – Member, Tripadvisor Customer Council, a select group of industry leaders. – Business Daily (Nairobi, Kenya), August 26, 2016. “iKWETA Safari Camp raises the bar for Meru”. – Msafiri (Kenya Airways Inflight Magazine), February 2015. Destinations: Features – Meru National Park.

Reservation and cancellation policies

(1) Accommodation is by advance confirmed reservation. The first night rate, excluding extras, is required as deposit. If multiple Guest Tents are booked in a single reservation, then each Guest Tent’s first night rate will be charged. Our payments service provider will collect the deposit on our behalf, debit guest’s credit card and notify the guest accordingly. The full booking balance is due on the day of arrival. (2) Children of all ages are allowed. Children 2 years and under can stay for free (proof of age required). (3) “Cashless” is our preferred mode of payment – via direct Bank transfer, M-PESA or major Bank Credit Cards. The indicative applicable exchange rate applied for the US dollar (USD) is what is published by the Central Bank of Kenya (https://www.centralbank.go.ke/forex) for the value of the Kenya shilling (KES) on the given day. The indicative applicable exchange rate is also displayed daily at the Reception desk. (4) Change of Reservation dates is possible depending on availability. (5) The Reservation deposit will be refunded according to the cancellation conditions. The booking can be cancelled up to 2 days before arrival and any deposit/prepayment refunded. In the event of cancellation the day before, or on the day of expected arrival, or of no show, or of booking reduction (early departure), the full cost of the booking is charged. (6) Consideration will be given for prolonging the stay if there is availability. (7) Terms and Conditions Apply for the period 21 December – 3 January (Festive Season). During that period, the booking can be cancelled up to 14 days before arrival and any deposit/prepayment refunded. In the event of cancellation less than 14 days before the date of expected arrival, or of no show, or of booking reduction (early departure), the full cost of the booking is charged.

iKWETA Safari Camp Gate is open to guests from 06:00 hours. Latest check-in is 21:00 hours. The Camp closes for the night at 22:00 hours.

Guest Registration policy; Check-in; check-out

Guest Registration is a standard procedure and a lawful requirement in Kenya: “The licensee shall keep a register of particulars of every guest” [Tourism Act, 2011. Section 27, Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations, 2014. Register and book to be kept by licensee]. The relevant information is collected on a standard Guest Registration form and the guest is required to present a valid ID document. Guest not presenting a valid ID document for registration shall not be checked in – even if s/he has already paid in advance. Check-in: After 14:00 hours. Latest check-in: 21:00 hours. Check-out: Before 11:00 hours. A surcharge may be imposed for early check-in and late check-out. Please contact us for possible early check-in or late check-out.

Meru National Park, like most of Kenya’s other parks and game reserves, is part of the country’s arid and semi-arid zone with an irregular rainfall regime. Average daytime temperatures can range between 25°C and 30°C, depending on the elevation, and can drop to between 22°C and 24°C at night. Annual rainfall is higher in the western part of the Park (635-762mm) and much lower in the eastern sector (305-356mm). The wet season is October to May; the dry season from June to September. The pattern of precipitation is nominally bi-modal, with the “short rains” from October to December, and the “long rains” from March-May, and a dry spell in between. Nevertheless, local trends are notable, and climate change and the region’s susceptibility to drought combine to make the pattern highly variable. WET SEASON – October to May The short rains might start in October or November, continue with some intensity during December and decline during January, and none experienced in February. Temperatures tend to build up before the rains and drop immediately after. Average afternoon temperatures can rise to 32°C. Evenings and early mornings are cooler with temperatures around 18°C. In the dry spell before the onset of the long rains, average temperatures can rise to 34°C. The long rains might start in mid-March and continue through May, with April being the wettest month. During the wet season, driving through some of the roads in the Park can be challenging without a 4×4 (4-Wheel-Drive) vehicle. DRY SEASON – June to September This season is hot, sunny and dry, with hardly any rains; humidity is very low. Afternoons are hot, with temperatures reaching 31°C. Evenings and early mornings are cooler, with temperatures of around 16°C. It gets hotter heading towards October – with temperatures hoovering around 33°C – before the onset of the short rains provide much relief.

Best time of the year to visit

Meru National Park is a year-round destination. Wildlife (including The Big 5 – elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards) is abundant throughout the year. Scenery is always spectacular. iKWETA Safari Camp is open 365-days-a-year.

There are two major road access routes to iKWETA Safari Camp and Meru National Park – through the Murera Gate (the main entrance) and through the Ura Gate – both offering visitors spectacular vistas through the Mount Kenya region. En-route to and on their departure from iKWETA Safari Camp guests can enjoy game drives through Meru National Park if they take the Ura Gate, especially if they are coming from or heading to Nairobi via Embu. [Guest can use Google Maps for directions. Directional maps (sketches) through the Ura Gate also available on request at Reception/Front Desk.] 1. ACCESS VIA MURERA GATE A. By Public Transportation Arrive in Maua town by public transport. Transfer to iKWETA Safari Camp can be arranged. Travel by Matatu or “Piki Piki” (motor-cycle taxi) is also possible. Maua is well served by public transportation from Nairobi and Meru town. Buses and Matatu shuttles depart at all times of the day from the neighbourhood of downtown Nairobi popularly known as “Tea Room”, off Accra Road. Take direct shuttle to Maua or transfer at Meru town. B. By Private or Tour Company Vehicle Arrive in Meru town, proceed onwards in the direction of Maua and Meru National Park, Murera Gate. There are two alternative routes to Meru town along the Mount Kenya ringroad: From the south, around the east side of Mount Kenya via Embu – take the A2 Highway from Nairobi to Makutano/Nyeri/Embu junction, then turn right on the B6 Highway to Embu and onwards to Meru town. Drive through Meru town up to Makutano – junction of B6 and C91 Highways – and turn right on the C91 in the direction Maua. From the north-west, around the west and north side of Mount Kenya via Nyeri and Nanyuki – take the A2 Highway from Nairobi to Marwa/Nyeri/Nanyuki junction, a few kilometers after Karatina town. Turn right at Marwa and proceed on the A2 onwards through Nanyuki in the direction Isiolo/Meru. At the junction of the A2 and B6 Highways (after the descent on the steep Subuiga Hill), veer right to take the B6 Highway to Meru. Drive through Meru Forest up to Makutano in the outskirts of Meru town. At Makutano – junction of B6 and C91 Highways – turn left on the C91 in the direction Maua. Drive along the C91 through a number of market centres until after MAILI TATU. After some speed bumps, veer to the left for the turnoff to Meru National Park. [Straight ahead is Maua town, about 2 km away.] [The turnoff to Meru National Park comes up quickly – and is often confusing to travellers since the signage is to the right and you have to turn left… The location is popularly known as “Farm”.] The road to Meru National Park, Murera Gate, is tarmarked all the way and is in good condition. Drive through some market centres for about 7 km until the V-junction on the road [“Kwa Njilu”]. Veer to the right for Meru National Park and iKWETA Safari Camp. There is signage. APPROXIMATE DISTANCES: – Makutano/Meru – “Farm”/Maua/Meru National Park Road Junction: 48 km; – “Farm”/Maua/Meru National Park Road Junction – “Kwa Njilu” V-Junction: 7 km; – “Kwa Njilu” V-Junction – iKWETA Safari Camp: 15 km; – iKWETA Safari Camp – Meru National Park, Murera Gate: 2 km. 2. ACCESS VIA URA GATE A. By Public Transportation [Service not available at present] B. By Private or Tour Company Vehicle From Nairobi, take the A2 Highway in the direction Nyeri. Drive for about 87 km to Makutano – junction of the A2/B6 Highways. Turn right to take the B6 Highway in the direction Embu-Meru. Drive through Embu town to Ena market, junction of B6/C92 Highways. Turn right on the C92 Highway in the direction Ishiara-Mitunguu. You will see the signage for Meru National Park, Ura Gate. [The road is tarmarked up to Chiakariga.] Drive along the C92 through a number of market centres until Kathwana market, headquarters of Tharaka-Nithi County. About 3 km after Kathwana (past a petrol station), get off the C92 Highway on the right, in the direction Chiakariga market. There is signage for Meru National Park, just before you enter Chiakariga market. APPROXIMATE DISTANCES: – Embu/Meru/Ena (B6 & C92) Junction – Chiakariga (Turnoff to Meru National Park, Ura Gate): 64 km; – Chiakariga – Ura Gate: 52 km; – Ura Gate – Murera Gate: 48 km; – Murera Gate – iKWETA Safari Camp: 2 km

Game drives in Meru National Park

The road network in Meru National Park is excellent even for salon cars. During the wet season a 4×4 vehicle (4WDrive) is preferable. The Rhino sanctuary includes a large wetlands zone.

Does iKWETA Safari Camp offer walking safaris, bush dining and night game drives in Meru National Park?

iKWETA Safari Camp itself does not offer walking safaris, bush dining and night game drives in Meru National Park. Any of its clients (Tour operators and/or guests) wishing to undertake such activities have to make relevant arrangements directly with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) who have guidelines for such activities. KWS requires Tour operators who apply to carry out these activities to observe stringent environmental and safety regulations. The KWS guidelines are available for perusal at Reception (in a document titled: “Kenya Wildlife Service Guidelines on Visitor Activities Inside National Parks and Reserves July 2022”).

Children of all ages are allowed. Children aged 2 years and under can stay for free (proof of age required). Children from 3 to 10 years old can stay for USD 48.00 per child per night.

Accessibility for guests with restricted mobility

The access road into iKWETA Safari Camp is cobblestoned. Pathway from the Parking to the Central Area is paved. The Central Area and the pathways to the Guest Tents are cobblestoned. Several of the Guest Tents are wheelchair-accessible. Two Zebras Dining and nearby Guest Toilets are accessible as well. The Camp is on a flat terrain.

Catering for guests with dietary restrictions

iKWETA Safari Camp can cater to vegetarians and vegans. Guests should advise in advance of any lactose intolerance, peanut allergies, diabetic needs, celiac disease (gluten-free), or any other dietary restrictions.

Late Lunch on day of arrival; packed Lunch on day of departure

iKWETA Safari Camp is flexible with meal times and provides personalized meal service, as requested.

iKWETA Safari Camp laundry policy is based on conserving water, ever more so since we are located in a semi-arid region where water is a scarce resource. We encourage our long-staying guests to accept bedsheet changes every third night, and to re-use their bath and hand towels at least twice before laundering. Successful implementation of this policy of course requires a cooperative effort from both the guests and our staff. In the majority of cases guests are cooperative. Guests who wish to use our Camp’s Laundry Service can complete the Laundry Request Form found in the desk drawer.

Do you have fans or air-conditioning in the Guest Tents?

We do not have have fans or air-conditioning in iKWETA Safari Camp Guest Tents. The eco-friendly design of floor-to-ceiling-netting on three sides of each Guest Tent, and the window-to-ceiling-netting in the en-suite bathroom, facilitate cross-ventilation of fresh air during the day and cool freshness at night.

Mosquito netting in Guest Tents

All iKWETA Safari Camp Guest Tents are fully-equipped with heavy-duty mosquito netting which protects Tent doors and windows. There are mosquito nets on all the guest beds. Also, each Guest Tent has safe mosquito diffusers. As a precaution, guests are advised to have their personal mosquito repellents as well.

iKWETA Safari Camp water supply is from its own private, safe, and protected, 200m-deep borehole, certified by WRA [Water Resources Authority], the Government agency mandated to regulate and control the use of water resources. Water is pumped into storage tanks twice daily from where it is distributed to various points around the Camp. Our installed water storage capacity is more than adequate for all our Camp’s needs for at least a week in the event of temporary water supply interruption. As regards sanitation, we have installed several septic tanks and soak-away pits in accordance with NEMA [National Environment Management Authority] requirements and other existing legislation. Evacuation of the septic tanks is by NEMA-licensed operators. We use grease traps at our kitchens to filter oils and other organic wastes. We filter grey water from the kitchens, and from the Guest Tents and other areas and recycle it into our greening efforts. Waste material is sorted into different containers – paper and plastic packaging, metal cans, glass bottles – and delivered to the County Dumpsite by a licensed service provider. iKWETA Safari Camp has done away with plastic water bottles. Guests are welcome to refill their personal water bottles for free with our pure drinking water. We discourage Tour Companies and guests from bringing into our Camp plastic bottles and discarding them therein.

Do you have car wash service at iKWETA Safari Camp?

There is no car wash service at iKWETA Safari Camp. We are situated in a water-scarce area and it is our policy not to provide this service since it would be contrary to our water conservation efforts. Car wash facilities are available for a modest charge at Kiutine market, 4 km from the Camp.

Kenya has strict anti-smoking laws. Tobacco Control Act (2007) states that “no person shall smoke in restaurants, hotels, bars or other eating place; except in designated smoking areas.” All iKWETA Safari Camp Guest Tents are smoke-free. Smoking is absolutely forbidden inside the Guest Tents. Smoking is allowed only in the designated outdoor areas, including on the veranda of the Guest Tents, by the Swimming Pool, and in the Central Area adjacent to Two Zebras Dining, using the provided ash trays. Any guest contravening the smoking law and iKWETA Safari Camp smoking policy makes himself/herself liable to lawful action under the Tobacco Control Act. Also, he/she may be surcharged a cleaning fee equivalent to one night’s stay and asked to leave iKWETA Safari Camp without refund.

Policy on noise and conduct

To maintain serene surroundings and especially a quiet and sleep-conducive environment, iKWETA Safari Camp has zero tolerance policy to noise, drunkenness and any rowdy behaviours. A warning will be issued to offending guest(s) if there is any complaint. If there is a second complaint, the offending guest(s) will be asked to leave iKWETA Safari Camp with no refund. No illegal substances are permitted at iKWETA Safari Camp. A violation will result in immediate expulsion from the Camp and possible involvement of law enforcement.

General advisory on safety and security

iKWETA Safari Camp exercises all reasonable care in providing its staff and its guests a safe and secure environment. Guests are expected to observe, abide by, conform to and be bound by all applicable Kenyan laws, rules and regulations in force from time to time, including any public health guidelines. Although iKWETA Safari Camp is a safe and secure environment, guests are advised to take care of their personal belongings as the Camp does not assume any responsibility for any lost items. Each Guest Tent is equipped with a large safe box suitable for storing electronic devices, small personal valuables, etc. Inquiries at Reception.

Loss of or damage to iKWETA Safari Camp property

Guests shall be held liable for any loss of or damage to property of iKWETA Safari Camp incurred by them. Guests will be surcharged for the loss of Guest Tent keys. The establishment reserves the right to charge Guest’s account commensurate to the cost of loss or damage.

Types of lost and found items include: (1) Mislaid property – the owner has unintentionally left the items behind. (2) Lost property – the owner has unintentionally left the items behind, then forgotten them. (3) Abandoned property – the items were intentionally left behind by the owner. NOTE: iKWETA Safari Camp will maintain a record for lost and found items and of the efforts by Management and staff to contact and return the items to the owners.

Valuable items, such as luggage, will be kept only for 24 hours and disposed of thereafter for safety and security reasons. iKWETA Safari Camp will not be held responsible for any missing or damaged items inside the luggage. Non-valuable items will be kept for 1-2 days. Non-valuable items include items in paper or plastic bags. Perishable items will be disposed of immediately after guest has checked out. Perishable items include food and beverages.

(1) Pets are not allowed. Only registered guide dogs may be permitted by prior arrangement. (2) Guests may not bring their own pillows, bed sheets, duvets or other items of bedding. (3) Guests are not allowed to bring their own electrical appliances and/or equipment for heating and/or cooking purposes. (4) We discourage Tour Companies and guests from bringing into our Camp plastic bottles and discarding them therein. (5) Parties or events are not allowed in the Guest Tents. (6) Any person visiting a staying guest must register with their Kenya ID or national passport. (7) Any person sleeping over must register with their Kenya ID or national passport and the lead guest will be charged for the night(s) (at the appropriate tariff, for example, as Double). (8) “Cashless” is our preferred mode of payment – via direct Bank transfer, M-PESA or major Bank Credit Cards.

Tipping is entirely up to the guest… It is also often a sensitive issue – for the guest and the staff receiving the tip. Guest is welcome to ask the Camp owners or the Camp Managers for advice. iKWETA Safari Camp has an anonymous Tipping Box for all staff, situated by the steps near the Reception/Guest Lounge area. The Tipping Box is opened periodically and the proceeds divided equally among all the staff. Some guests prefer to tip directly – and that’s also fine. But guests should recall that all iKWETA staff – from receptionists to housekeepers to groundsmen; from cooks to waiters to watchmen – contribute to making their stay enjoyable…

This terrific place … put(s) to shame many tented camps that charge so much more for so much less …

Lonely Planet

Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful protected areas – picturesque, diverse, pristine, abundant wildlife, uncrowded...

iKWETA Safari Camp offers all the luxuries you are looking for on safari - at an affordable price ... in eco-friendly natural elegance ...

The landscape is so stunning even if you don’t see animals every 30 seconds you’ll be captivated by the scenery...

- Visitor, Meru National Park

*Picturesque view of Mount Kenya with the Nyambene Hills [Nyambene Forest and Water Tower] in the foreground, as seen from Meru National Park, from between directional markers No 1 and No 2B at dusk – “[with the Nyambene Hills ]… marching towards Mount Kenya” in the distance, as one insightful visitor quipped…. More information on Meru National Park is available in FAQ.

iKWETA Safari Camp is an international class, nationally-accredited Tented Safari Camp, and recipient of a Gold Award from Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority. It is located just outside Meru National Park, 2.5km from Murera Gate on the road in from Meru, thus enabling its guests to be inside the park in minutes…

iKWETA Safari Camp has earned Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence | Travellers’ Choice award 11 years in a row since 2014. It qualified for Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame twice in a row – in 2018 and 2019. It has earned other awards and citations as well. See What Guests Say and More Acclamations…

iKWETA Safari Camp
word cloud
based on 400 guest reviews
on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor travellers place iKWETA Safari Camp in the top 10% worldwide.

iKWETA Safari Camp word cloud is a textual data visualization which allows visitors to our website to see in a single glance the words which have the highest frequency in the Tripadvisor guest reviews of our Camp.

Meet the Big 5
of Meru National Park

elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards

ELEPHANTS. The Meru Conservation Area is the second largest contiguous elephant habitat in Kenya after the Tsavo National Parks.

RHINOS. Meru National Park is one of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos in the wilderness. At last count, the Rhino Sanctuary was home to 42 black and 86 white rhinos.

LIONS. Meru National Park is famous for its lions. It is especially associated with Elsa the Lioness and the film “Born Free”, a 1966 British drama film starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Joy and George Adamson, a real-life couple who raised Elsa, an orphaned lion cub, to adulthood.

Elsa’s Grave is at the southern end of the park, off the bank of the Ura River. A family of lions in Meru National Park – “Elsa’s Pride” – is named in her honour.

Presently, the lion population is estimated to be around 95, that is lions above one year old (cubs not counted).

BUFFALO. Meru National Park is home to some of Kenya’s largest herds of buffalo.

LEOPARDS. They are there in numbers – but they are stealthy and camouflage well. Some guests are lucky to spot them – making it one of the highlights of their safari adventure in Meru National Park…

Meet Other Animals...

...cheetahs, plain zebra, Grevy’s zebra, giraffes, hippos, lesser kudu, oryxes, gerenuks, hartebeest, gazelles, and more…

Birdwatchers’
Paradise…

Over 400 species
recorded

Meru National Park is trully a birdwatchers’ paradise due to its diverse avifauna, including the threatened Jungle Babbler, 8 species of Kenya Mountains Endemic Bird Area, and 59 of the 94 Somali-Masai biome species that occur in Kenya.

Visitors may see regionally threatened species such as the Martial Eagle and African finfoot.

Some of the other unique birds watchers are likely to see include Malachite Kingfisher, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Squacco Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, and the Kori Bustard.

A checklist of all bird species found in Meru National Park, based on the best information available at this time, can be found at the website: “Avibase – Bird Checklists of the World: Meru National Park”.

Now say Hello
to Affordable
Safari Luxury

… and eco-friendly
natural elegance

iKWETA Safari Camp has an eco-friendly approach to design, layout and operations, to ensure guests enjoy natural elegance and comfort on safari at Best Value for Money

We have adopted green, sustainable, clean, and renewable technologies, and practices, to reduce our carbon footprint

Eco-friendly

– We have planted, continue to plant and to maintain hundreds of indigenous and other species of flowering and non-flowering plants, shrubs, and trees to green and beautify our natural environment, and to create shade and a cool micro-climate in an otherwise semi-arid area.

– We align ourselves with Kenya Government campaign on achieving 15 billion trees in the country by 2032 by continually planting and maintaining suitable tree species in our Camp.

Natural elegance

– The eco-friendly design and layout of iKWETA Safari Camp emphasize natural elegance.

– The floor-to-ceiling-netting on three sides of each Guest Tent, and window-to-ceiling-netting in the en-suite bathroom, facilitate cross-ventilation of fresh air during the day and cool freshness at night, this in line with our semi-arid natural environment.

– Throughout iKWETA Safari Camp, attention is given to detail, including in the overall layout of the facilities, the gardens and water features, in the use of local materials, in the decor and decoration, in the furnishings, and in the lighting – all intended to be in harmony with our natural environment.

Sustainable technologies and practices

– We harvest and conserve rain water in earth dams for greening our environment.

– We utilize solar pumping to irrigate through driplines and we employ trenching to redistribute flood water on our grounds.

– We utilize solar energy for borehole water pumping, for water heating for the guest Tents, and for lighting in selected areas.

– We use grease traps at our kitchens to filter oils and other organic wastes.

– We filter grey water from the kitchens, and from the guest Tents and other areas and recycle it into our greening efforts.

– Our cats provide a safe, long-term, green solution to rodent control in our Camp that is nearly 100% effective.

– We have phased out use of plastic water bottles, disposable plastic picnic food containers and cutlery at our Camp.

Best Value for Money

– iKWETA Safari Camp aims to provide its guests all the luxuries they are looking for on safari – at an affordable price – in eco-friendly natural elegance.

– We grow most of our own fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits. This is part of our business model to offer our guests Best Value for Money. Thus, when in season, we pick directly from our gardens or greenhouses, prepare and serve…

FRESH VEGETABLES AND HERBS
Amaranth [mchicha, terere], arugula, basil, beets, chili peppers, cucumber, cowpeas, egg plants, French beans, kale [leaf cabbage, sukuma wiki], lettuce, pumpkin, salad greens, scallions, spinach, squash, sweet peppers, tomatoes, turnips, zucchini…

FRESH FRUITS
Bananas, dragon fruits, grapes (red and white), mangoes, papaya, passion fruit, watermelon…

OTHER CROPS
Arrowroots, cassava, sweet potato, sugarcane, teff, …

Finally, affordable luxury at Meru National Park ...

Meru is one of my favourite parks in Kenya. The problem was always that there was only basic or 5-Star accommodation.

iKWETA Safari Camp fills the gap with a very nice tented camp just outside the main gate. Very nice tents, good food and friendly staff and excellent location.

- Tripadvisor, 5-Star Guest Review by an international Tour Operator from The Netherlands

Amenities

iKWETA Safari Camp is owner-operated. And by choice – a small Tented Camp. Only 10 Guest Tents…

iKWETA offers personalized service and Affordable Safari Luxury accommodations in eco-friendly natural elegance.

List of amenities

– Large Swimming Pool.
– Mains electricity, with ample power sockets in Guest Tents for charging devices.
– Guest Tents have either double bed or twin beds. Baby cots available on request.
– Each Guest Tent has its own en-suite bathroom and private veranda. Each has an outdoor drying rack for swimming suits and kikoi (kikoys).
– All Guest Tents are fully-equipped with heavy-duty mosquito netting which protects Tent doors and windows. There are mosquito nets on all the guest beds as well.
– Each Guest Tent has safe mosquito diffusers. As a precaution, guests are advised to have their personal mosquito repellents as well.
– There is a high-capacity standby backup generator in case of mains power outage.
– DSTV in Guest Lounge.
– Satellite Internet service throughout the Camp.
– Access road into the Camp is cobblestoned.
– Central areas (Outside Dinning and Swimming Pool area) and pathways to Guest Tents are cobblestoned.
– Improved accessibility for guests with reduced mobility.
– Nature trails for leisurely walks around the Camp.
– Guides/Drivers accommodation on Full-Board basis, at nominal tariff.

Other considerations

– Flexible meal times.
– All meals cooked to order and served to guests directly at their tables. No ‘buffets’ or ‘buffet-style’ service.
– Vegetarian and vegan dishes always on offer.
– Pre-game drive early morning wake-up calls with coffee, tea and biscuits on request.
– Optional packed Breakfasts and Lunches to accommodate game drives.

iKWETA nature
trails

Take a leisurely walk along the nature trails of iKWETA Safari Camp, especially after a long game drive or road trip

Staff at iKWETA Safari Camp celebrate Kenya National Tree Planting Day (on 2023-11-13) by planting scores of indigenous trees to further green and beautify our environment

What Guests Say...

A beautiful oasis

We had an amazing stay at Ikweta Safari Camp. The staff were so friendly, the tents are perfect and the food was amazing. It’s really close to Meru National Park so the location is ideal.

We saw lions, leopards, elephants, giraffe, black & white rhino and over 50 different species of birds. If you want to have a National park to yourself, this is the place to go.

The staff gave us fantastic packed breakfasts to take with us to the park and we were able to relax with drinks at the pool after our game drives. I would recommend this place to anyone coming to Kenya.

Tripadvisor, 5-Star Guest Review

My Ikweta Safari Camp experience

If silence was a place then Ikweta would be it. The serene environment offers a place of reflection, relaxation and ultimate peace. Definitely worth the price. On top of that, the staff and owners offer you a personalized experience which makes you feel even more welcomed. The food......AMAZING!!!

Tripadvisor, 5-Star Guest Review

What a fantastic place – 5-Star!

The staff were all very friendly, they couldn’t do enough to make you feel at home, and they were all super helpful.

The safari tents were very luxurious, as good as you would get in a camp ten times the price.

There was a lot of attention to detail, large comfy bed, beautiful ensuite with lovely slate decor and decoration.

Nothing had been forgotten, numerous attractive lights, desk, a torch, comfy chairs and an outside terrace, and lots of authentic African pictures and decorations.

The camp is set in lovely gardens, with water features and waterfalls, all lit up at night. There is a nice swimming pool, which is welcome after a hot safari drive. The dining room has a nice ambience, set within the gardens, and the food was all delicious.

It is also only a couple of kilometres from the Meru National Park Gate, so the camp is well situated.

We couldn’t fault Ikweta Safari Camp, it is fantastic value for money.

Booking.com, 5-Star Guest Review

More Acclamations

Lonely Planet, 2024
Top Choice in Kenya

Google My Business
4.3 out of 5
Very Good

Hotels.com
9.2 out of 10
Superb

SafariNow
Top Pick 2021

Business Daily (Nairobi, Kenya), August 26, 2016, “iKWETA Safari Camp raises the bar for Meru”

Daily Nation (Nairobi, Kenya), October 21, 2015, “Sights of Meru”

Msafiri (Kenya Airways Inflight Magazine), February 2015, Destinations: Features – Meru National Park

Contact Us

Reservations

iKWETA Safari Camp
Meru National Park
Murera Gate
P.O. Box 620
60600 KENYA

Telephone/WhatsApp:
+254 705 200 050
+254 708 235 861

If you have specific questions, you can telephone or send us a WhatsApp message, to:

+254705200050, or
+254708235861

You can also email us using the Contact form on this page and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

To check our current availability, book, and make payment online, click on the button below.

Accommodation is by advance confirmed reservation. The first night rate, excluding extras, is required as deposit. If multiple Guest Tents are booked in a single reservation, then each Guest Tent’s first night rate will be charged. The full booking balance is due on the day of arrival. Children of all ages are allowed. Children 2 years and under can stay for free (proof of age required). “Cashless” is our preferred mode of payment – via direct Bank transfer, M-PESA or major Bank Credit Cards. See also in FAQ (under Guest Registration policy).

Getting there

BY AIR

iKWETA Safari Camp has a helipad on site for guests arriving by helicopter.

AIRKENYA has scheduled flights to Meru National Park (Kinna Airfield). Guests are picked up by their tour company vehicle or by local guide/driver (by arrangement and at cost to guest).

BY ROAD

There are two major access routes to iKWETA Safari Camp and Meru National Park:

Murera Gate (main entrance)
Ura Gate

Both access routes offer guests spectacular vistas through the Mount Kenya region.

GAME DRIVES EN-ROUTE

En-route to and on their departure from iKWETA Safari Camp guests can enjoy game drives through Meru National Park if they take the Ura Gate, especially if they are coming from or heading to Nairobi via Embu.

Minimized
1-2-3 Express
Guest Check-in
Check-out
Procedures

-1- BEFORE ARRIVAL

Guests complete Digital Registration (through our online Reservations channel).

[Guests or travel agents not booking through our online Reservations channel will be sent fillable e-Registration form to complete for each guest and return to us by email.]

-2- ON ARRIVAL

Guests present their ID document, fill/sign Guest Registration form, then receive short briefing, before heading to their Tent.

-3- ON CHECK-OUT

The procedure is expedited at check-out as well – since payment is always in advance of stay and ‘Cashless’ payment may be made for any extras…

Game Drives
and Beyond

Enriching
Guest Experience

Optional Excursions

Guest’s Yoga moments at summit of Gatwe (“Skull” Hill)…

To provide opportunities for cultural contact and interaction with the locals, iKWETA Safari Camp offers its guests a number of optional excursions in the vicinity of or in close proximity to the Camp. Guests use their own vehicle or their tour company’s.

See below, links to Available Excursions.

iKWETA staff may accompany on some of the excursions to serve as guide (for a nominal fee).

One of the excursions requires 2 rangers to accompany guests (by arrangement).

More information at Reception.

Available Excursions

Nature walk to Gatwe (“Skull” Hill)

This is a favourite of iKWETA Safari Camp guests…

Approx. 2 hours. Morning or evening. Latest afternoon departure, around 15:30. Charges: inquire at Reception. “Sundowner” by arrangement (inquire at Reception).

Hike to Gatwe (“Skull” Hill) and enjoy panoramic views of the entire Meru Conservation Area, including Meru National Park, the blue Nyambene Hills [Nyambene Forest and Water Tower], and parts of northern Kenya.

Nyambene Forest and Water Tower

Drive through small-scale tea farm landscapes en route to Nyambene Forest and Water Tower and the dams of Tuuru Water Scheme. Visit Kiegoi Tea Factory, one of Kenya’s “fair trade”** success stories (by arrangement), and other places of interest, including Maria Consolata Shrine at Mukululu Catholic Mission.

Half-day or full-day options may include packed-Lunch in Nyambene Forest. Charges: for guide and conservation fees (for group of any size); inquire at Reception.

**See Note at bottom on the concept of fair trade.

Nyambene Forest and Water Tower is the source of water and livelihood for much of the population in the region of Mount Kenya East (large swathes of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Embu Counties). It is the source of the 14 permanent rivers and streams which crisscross Meru National Park thus making it one of the best watered national parks in Kenya.

This excursion takes visitors on a rapid ascend – from around 800m at iKWETA Safari Camp, to around 2,500m – through small market centres and farmlands of scenic landscapes where some of the best quality tea in the world is grown for export.

Kenya tea is one of the top foreign exchange earners, alongside tourism, horticulture and coffee. The growing of tea in this region by small-scale farmers has had a significant impact in uplifting the quality of livelihoods of the local people.

The excursion takes visitors deep into the Nyambene Forest and Water Tower where the dams of the Tuuru Water Scheme are located. A walk in this equatorial forest is a wonderful experience for its serenity, peace and tranquility and because the forest and water tower (like Mount Kenya and Magado Crater [Igombe] (see under excursion), is considered holy and sacred by the Meru people.

Because “water is life”, the Nyambene Forest and Water Tower is central in the spiritual practices and governance systems of the Meru people. Protecting and conserving the forest and water tower is considered paramount for safeguarding the Meru territory itself – that is to maintaining its order, integrity, well-being, and sustainability.

“Oh Ngai o Nyambene ne Igombe (Magado Crater)…”
– Oh God of Nyambene and Igombe …;
“Oh Ngai o Nyambene na Kirimara …”
– Oh God of Nyambene and Mount Kenya …

These are common exhortations to God among the Meru people preceding prayers for blessings, including for rain.

The Tuuru Water project, an endeavor of the Catholic Diocese of Meru and the local communities, distributes water over an area of 1,200 sq km of both high and low population densities. The aqueducts extend over 250 km and channel more than 36 million liters of water per day to more than a quarter million people and more than 60,000 large and small domestic animals.

The Italian missionary, the late Brother Giuseppe Argesse, known as “Mukiri” by the local community (because he was a man of action and few words…), is credited with the success of the Tuuru Water Scheme, that is literally for “quenching the community’s thirst for pure drinking water”…

Brother Argesse arrived in Kenya in 1957, at the age of 23, and served for some 61 years until his death in September 2018 at the age of 84. He was honoured by the United Nations in 1999 with the prestigious Path to Peace award at a ceremony at UN headquarters in New York for the contribution “he made to the development of peace at an international level”.

**NOTE ON THE CONCEPT OF FAIR TRADE**

The concept of fair trade, now widely accepted and practiced by progressive entities around the world, entails offering farmers and workers in the developing countries better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and ensuring fair terms of trade.

The practice requires companies to pay sustainable prices (that is prices which must never fall lower than the market price).

The practice of fair trade also attempts to address the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest and weakest producers.

The overriding concern about fair trade is to enable the poorest and weakest producers improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Magado [Igombe] Crater

Full-day excursion with packed-Lunch. Depart iKWETA Safari Camp in the morning after Breakfast; trek to the bottom of the crater; explore the lake and its environs; trek back to the rim of the crater for Lunch; return in late afternoon. Charges: for 2 rangers to accompany visitors (inquire at Reception).

The Magado Crater [also known as “Igombe” among the Meru people] is situated at the north-eastern tip of the Nyambene range of hills. The lake at the bottom of the crater is a spectacular splendor of patches of colour – with dark purple, bright red and green being dominant. Parts of the lake evaporate to form soda salt crust.

Like Mount Kenya and Nyambene Forest and Water Tower [see under excursion], Magado Crater [Igombe] is considered holy and sacred by the Meru people.

“Oh Ngai o Nyambene ne Igombe [Magado Crater] …”
– Oh God of Nyambene and Igombe …;
“Oh Ngai o Nyambene na Kirimara….”
– Oh God of Nyambene and Mount Kenya …

There are common exhortations among the Meru people preceding prayers for various blessings, including for rain.

The excursion takes visitors through small towns of the Meru countryside where “miraa” [also known as khat] is the major cash crop, more important economically in this region than coffee and tea.

After the Mutuati market, there is steady descend overlooking largely arid and semi-arid spectacular landscapes of northern Kenya.

The crater is located a short distance from the small market centre of Gachiuru [‘the place of many bird nests’]. The name of the market centre in the Kimeru language is quite apt as most of the trees in the surrounding bushes are literally adorned with bird nests …

The crater rises 73 meters above the surrounding area. It has an average diameter of 800 meters and an average crater depth below the rim of 140 meters. Debris blasted out during the crater eruption formed a rim 80-100 meters thick.

From the top, the view of the bottom of the crater is one dotted with hundreds of domestic animals watering at the lake, or peacefully grazing by the shores. Magado Crater is the only place for long distances around where animals can water and have access to the much desired natural salts.

The trek to the bottom of the crater, waddling between scores of small and large livestock, is in itself quite an experience.

The chorus, or rather the cacophony of sounds – of the mooing of the cows, the hee-hawing of the donkeys, the mee-meeing of the goats and the bleating of the sheep – all anxiously trying to weave their way through the narrow crevices to the lake as quickly as possible to quench their thirst and to lick the natural salts – is like a scene from time immemorial …

NOTE 1: A video by Zammy Mustaq is a celebration of the epic beauty of the Magado | Igombe crater. It will make you want to visit…

NOTE 2: The crater was also featured in “Africa from the air: Martin Harvey’s aerial photos of landscapes and wildlife” (The Telegraph’s Travel Magazine, 31 Aug 2012).

Group activities | Team-building

The three optional excursions that iKWETA Safari Camp offers its guests [see the details, above], may be innovative ways for family members and other groups to bond among the team members, to reduce personal stress, and to give the chance to people to get to know each other better while appreciating the great outdoors.

In our experience, nothing says “let’s work together”, or “let’s just have fun”, like members hiking to Gatwe (“Skull” Hill) near iKWETA Safari Camp …

Similarly, nothing provides better bonding opportunities than step-challenges between members

– from where they park their vehicle, and trek to the dams of Tuuru Water Scheme deep in the Nyambene Forest and Water Tower, and back;

– from where they park their vehicle at the rim of the Magado (Igombe) crater in the Nyambene National Reserve, and trek to and from the lake at the bottom of the crater while negotiating their way between thirsty livestock, as they and them waddle their way to the lake and later to the rim of the crater…

Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful protected areas – picturesque, diverse, pristine, abundant wildlife, uncrowded...

iKWETA Safari Camp offers all the luxuries you are looking for on safari - at an affordable price ... in eco-friendly natural elegance ...

iKWETA Safari Camp
word cloud
based on 400 guest reviews
on Tripadvisor

Meet the Big 5
of Meru National Park

elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards

Meet Other Animals...

...cheetahs, plain zebra, Grevy’s zebra, giraffes, hippos, lesser kudu, oryxes, gerenuks, hartebeest, gazelles, and more…

Now say Hello
to Affordable
Safari Luxury

iKWETA Safari Camp has an eco-friendly approach to design, layout and operations, to ensure guests enjoy natural elegance and comfort on safari at Best Value for Money

Amenities

iKWETA nature
trails

What Guests Say...

More Acclamations

Contact Us

Reservations

Getting there

Minimized
1-2-3 Express
Guest Check-in
Check-out
Procedures

Game Drives
and Beyond

Enriching
Guest Experience

Optional Excursions

Available Excursions

Frequently Asked Questions

Privacy policy

Credits

Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful protected areas – picturesque, diverse, pristine, abundant wildlife, uncrowded...

iKWETA Safari Camp offers all the luxuries you are looking for on safari - at an affordable price ... in eco-friendly natural elegance ...

iKWETA Safari Campword cloud based on 400 guest reviews on Tripadvisor

Meet the Big 5 of Meru National Park

elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards

Meet Other Animals...

...cheetahs, plain zebra, Grevy’s zebra, giraffes, hippos, lesser kudu, oryxes, gerenuks, hartebeest, gazelles, and more…

Now say Hello to Affordable Safari Luxury

iKWETA Safari Camp has an eco-friendly approach to design, layout and operations, to ensure guests enjoy natural elegance and comfort on safari at Best Value for Money

Amenities

iKWETA nature trails

What Guests Say...

More Acclamations

Contact Us

Reservations

Getting there

Minimized 1-2-3 Express Guest Check-in Check-out Procedures

Game Drives and Beyond

Enriching Guest Experience

Optional Excursions

Available Excursions

Frequently Asked Questions

Privacy policy

Credits

iKWETA Safari Camp
word cloud
based on 400 guest reviews
on Tripadvisor

Meet the Big 5
of Meru National Park

Now say Hello
to Affordable
Safari Luxury

iKWETA nature
trails

Minimized
1-2-3 Express
Guest Check-in
Check-out
Procedures

Game Drives
and Beyond

Enriching
Guest Experience