iKWETA Safari Camp

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

All the luxuries you are looking for on safari - at an affordable price... in eco-friendly natural elegance...

iKWETA Safari Camp has earned Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence / Travellers' Choice award 10 years in a row since 2014...

iKWETA Safari Camp
word clouds

based on 316 guest reviews
on Tripadvisor (as on 2022-03-23)

…from the Affordable Safari Luxury and eco-friendly natural elegance of iKWETA Safari Camp…

…explore the complete wilderness of Meru National Park, one of Kenya’s most beautiful protected areas – picturesque landscapes, diverse, pristine, abundant wildlife, uncrowded…

…little or no “aggressive tourism” in Meru National Park – meaning ‘the crazy, chaotic rush’ of dozens of safari vehicles lunging forward with screaming engines for a closer view of certain animals, to paraphrase from a recent account in the New York Times on the experience in one of Kenya’s game reserves…

*View of the Nyambene Hills [Nyambene Forest and Water Tower] from Meru National Park at dusk, from between locational markers Nos. 1 and 2B, “marching towards Mount Kenya” in the distance – as one insightful guest quipped… More information on Meru National Park is available in FAQ.

MEET
THE BIG 5

elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards

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

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.

Meru National Park is famous for its lions. Presently, the lion population is estimated to be around 80.

Meru is also home to some of Kenya’s largest herds of buffalo.

Leopards 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…

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Meru National Park 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.

Meet
the other animals

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

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bird-
watchers’ paradise…
Over 400 species
recorded
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NOW SAY HELLO
TO AFFORDABLE
SAFARI LUXURY

… and eco-friendly
natural elegance

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.

The overall design, layout, and general operations of iKWETA Safari Camp stress Best Value for Money while also emphasizing eco-friendliness, natural elegance, and sustainability

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

– We have planted and 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 fully 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.

– We have employed eco-friendly design of floor-to-ceiling-netting on three sides of each guest Tent, and window-to-ceiling-netting in the en-suite bathroom, to facilitate cross-ventilation of fresh air during the day and cool freshness at night.

– 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.

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

– We grow most of our own fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits, and pick directly from the garden, prepare and serve.

Amenities

We are owner-operated, small Tented Camp – by choice… Only 10 guest Tents.

We offer personalized service and affordable safari luxury accommodations in eco-friendly natural elegance.

– Large swimming pool;
– Mains electricity, with ample power sockets in guest Tents for charging devices;
– High-capacity backup generator in case of mains power outage;
– DSTV in Guest Lounge;
– Free fast Wi-Fi Internet throughout the Camp;
– Improved accessibility for guests with reduced mobility;
– Guides/Drivers accommodation on Full-Board basis, at nominal tariff.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
– Flexible meal times;
– All meals cooked to order;
– 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 …

Guest
Reviews

iKWETA Safari Camp opened in November 2011.

It has earned Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence / Travellers’ Choice award 10 years in a row since 2014.

Travelers’ Choice (formerly Certificate of Excellence) recognizes businesses that consistently deliver great service. iKWETA Safari Camp is part of an exclusive group, ranking among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor.

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.

iKWETA Safari Camp is member of Tripadvisor Customer Council, a select group of industry leaders

5-Star luxury at a very affordable price - a fantastic place!

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 review by guest from the U.K. 

Other
acclamations

Lonely Planet
Top Choice Lodging in Meru National Park

Google My Business
4.3 out of 5

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

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

Tel.: +254 705 200 050
Tel.: +254 708 235 861

Reservations

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. More information in FAQ.

We do not accept any payments in cash (in whatever denomination). All payments are “Cashless” – by direct Bank transfer, M-PESA or Payments Online on this secure website via major credit cards.

If you have specific questions, please send us a WhatsApp message to either +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, please click on the link below.

Email us now!

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 Airstrip). 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 (during dry weather)

Both access routes offer guests 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 safety is the new safari luxury. Accordingly, at iKWETA Safari Camp, we continue to exercise reasonable care in providing our staff and our guests a safe and secure environment.

With the onset of COVID-19, we have undertaken additional measures in compliance with the latest guidances from Government of Kenya and World Health Organization.

Expedited check-in and check-out procedures for guests are now part of the Standard Operating Procedures at iKWETA Safari Camp to make social distancing easier at check-in and check-out. Other procedures include rigorous hygiene measures in the common areas, in food and beverage service, and in housekeeping.

We continue to update our Standard Operating Procedures, to train our staff accordingly, as well as to assess the effectiveness of our measures and to make revisions as necessary.

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 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

Guests enjoy “Sundowner” after conquering 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. iKWETA staff may accompany on some of the excursions to serve as a guide (for a nominal fee). 

More information is available at Reception/Front Desk.

Optional excursions

Approx. 2 hours. Morning or evening. Latest afternoon departure, around 15:30. Cost: KES 500 for 4 pax; KES 100 for each additional pax.

Scale up 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.

Visitors may have opportunity for interaction with the locals during their leisurely walk through the farmlands.

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 (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. Cost: KES 3,000 for guide and conservation fees (for group of any size).

An option includes a visit to Kiegoi Tea Factory, one of Kenya’s “fair-trade” success stories. [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 where the dams of the Tuuru Water Scheme are located. A walk in this equatorial forest is a wonderful experience for both its serenity, peace and tranquility and because the forest and water tower (like Mount Kenya and Magado Crater [Igombe], see under excursion) is considered sacred and holy 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 …

– 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”.

** ON THE CONCEPT OF “FAIR-TRADE” **
The concept of fair-trade is now widely accepted and practiced by progressive entities around the world. It 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.

*More information on this excursion is available at Reception/Front Desk.

 

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. Cost: KES 7,000 (for 2 rangers to accompany visitors).

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 is considered sacred and holy 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 …

– 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 even 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 down to the lake as quickly as possible to quench their thirst and to lick the natural salts, is like a scene from centuries past…

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).

 

The three optional excursions that iKWETA Safari Camp offers its guests [see the details, above], are actually 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 trying to scale up Gatwe (“Skull” Hill) near iKWETA Safari Camp …

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

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

– from where you park your 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 your way between thirsty livestock, as you and them waddle your way to the lake and later to the rim of the crater…

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the questions we get asked most frequently about iKWETA Safari Camp and Meru National Park.

(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) We do not accept any payments in cash (in whatever denomination). All payments are “Cashless” – by direct Bank transfer, M-PESA or Payments Online on this secure website via major credit cards.

(3) Change of Reservation dates is possible depending on availability.

(4) 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.

(5) Consideration will be given for prolonging the stay if there is availability.

(6) 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.

NOTE: In light of the disruptions caused by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic to the travel, hospitality and tourism sectors, we encourage guests who have booked with us to reschedule their bookings instead of cancelling.

 

iKWETA Safari Camp Gate is open to guests from 06:00 hours. The Camp closes for the night at 23:00 hours.

Guests are not allowed entry into iKWETA Safari Camp after the Gate closes at 23:00 hours, except in exceptional circumstances.

Check-in: After 14:00 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 is famous for its varied eco-systems and picturesque landscapes. [From atop Gatwe (“Skull” Hill) near iKWETA Safari Camp, one can enjoy panoramic views of the entire protected Meru Conservation Area – a region of 5,000 sq km which includes Meru National Park, Kora National Park, Bisinadi, Mwingi and Rahole National Reserves and the Nyambene Hills [Nyambene Forest and Water Tower. See details at Game Drives and Beyond].

The Nyambene Hills are a formidable water catchment area on the Park’s western boundary. It is the source of the 14 permanent rivers running through the Park and which give life and great vibrancy to an otherwise semi-arid region.

The mosaic of different habitats and diverse vegetation types in the Park are mirrored by a diversity of wildlife (with 500 species recorded), including substantive populations of large mammals such as the Big 5 – elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard – and rare species such as the caracal, lesser kudu, aardwolf, over 400 species of birds and over 720 plant species.

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 July 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.

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

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

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 (during dry weather) – 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 most of the way. Part of the road is being rehabilitated.

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 (during dry weather)

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 the TOTAL 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.y

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

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

Children of all ages are allowed.
Children aged 2 years and under can stay for free.
Children from 3 to 10 years old can stay for USD 44.00 per child per night.
Children from 11 to 17 years old can stay for USD 76.00 per child per night.

One of the guest Tents at iKWETA Safari Camp is wheelchair accessible. Two Zebras Dining and nearby guest toilets are accessible as well. The Camp is on a flat terrain.

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.

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

Free Internet connection is available throughout iKWETA Safari Camp – in the Guest Tents, and in the Common Areas (around the Swimming Pool, Guest Lounge, and in the Indoor, Verandah and Outdoor Dining Areas) – via Wi-Fi running on the available Safaricom 4-G cellular network. The service is usually stable, with high-speed connections peaking at 40Mbps.

The service is an amenity to enhance guest experience. It is especially intended to provide guests with basic communications during their stay – for access to email, browsing the Web, uploading or downloading a few photos, limited telephony over the Internet, etc.  In view of the prevailing cost of cellular bandwidth, guest connections are metred, and guests are provided a limited data bundle in accordance with the number of nights they are staying.

Guests are expected to adhere to Acceptable Internet Use Policies, which include respecting our fair use policy and Terms of Use, and not using the iKWETA network for any unlawful purposes, as defined by Kenya laws. 

Our fair use policy and Terms of Use include, apportioning the bandwidth via Guest Credentials, limiting access to one device at a time per registered guest, and restricting the streaming of videos or music or uploading or downloading of an inordinate number of photos as this could quickly consume the available bandwidth, thus inconveniencing other guests.

By using the iKWETA network to connect to the Internet guest agrees to iKWETA Safari Camp fair use policy and Terms of Use.

NOTE: iKWETA Safari Camp does not offer printing services onsite; neither does the Camp allow the use of its business computers by guests to process their documents, access their mail, etc. Exceptionally, we may print an important document for a guest – that is a document no longer than three (3) standard pages, such as  an e-AirTicket – for a nominal fee.

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. 

We do not have have air-conditioning or fans 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, facilitates cross-ventilation of fresh air during the day and cool freshness at night.

All iKWETA Safari Camp guest Tents are fully-equipped with heavy-duty mosquito netting which protects Tent doors and windows. Also, Tents have safe mosquito diffusers. As precaution, guests are advised to have their personal mosquito repellents.

iKWETA Safari Camp water supply is from our 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.

Waste material is sorted into different containers – paper and plastics, metal cans, glass bottles – and delivered to the County Dumpsite by a licensed service provider.

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.

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.

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 such loss or damage.

Types of lost and found incidents 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 food items.

(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) Parties or events are not allowed in the guest Tents.

(5) Any person visiting a staying guest must register with their Kenya ID or national passport.

(6) 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).

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 Manager for advice.

iKWETA 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…

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/Front Desk.

Privacy policy

iKWETA Safari Camp respects its guests’ concerns about privacy. We are committed to ensuring that our guests’ privacy is protected. 

This Privacy policy outlines the types of personal information we obtain from our guests, and how we may use the information. It also describes the measures we take to safeguard the personal information and how individuals can contact us about our privacy practices.

Should we ask our guests to provide certain information by which they can be identified when using this website, then they can be assured that the information will only be used in accordance with this Privacy policy. 

iKWETA Safari Camp may change this Privacy policy from time to time through updates on this website.

iKWETA Safari Camp collects the following information on this website: Name; email address, and other contact details.

Data collected both by us and on our behalf by third party service providers (e.g., for Online Reservations and Payments Online) may include personal details of “Lead Guest” (such as name, phone number, email, postal address and payment information).

At check-in, it is standard procedure and a lawful requirement in Kenya for all Hotel guests to provide certain basic information about themselves. The law requires that: “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). This information is collected on a standard Guest Registration form. For meetings, conferences and events, there is a basic Registration form for participants.

iKWETA Safari Camp gathers certain information from its guests so as to abide by lawful requirements, including verification purposes, and to be able to follow up on guests’ reservations and to provide them with a better service. Such information is also useful for internal record keeping and for handling and resolving any disputes that may arise.

iKWETA Safari Camp is committed to ensuring that our guests’ information is secure. 

In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online and on Guest Registration forms at check-in.

Data that is collected on our behalf by third party service providers (e.g., for Online Reservations and Payments Online) is subject to the privacy policies and practices of those third party service providers. If payment information is provided, this is processed directly by PCI Level 1 Compliant third party gateway providers according to prevailing international industry data security standards.

If guests have any questions about our Privacy policy, they can contact us by email through the Contact form on this website or write to us at:

iKWETA Safari Camp, Meru National Park, Murera Gate, P.O. Box 620 Maua 60600 Kenya.