Kora National Park is the former home of famed wildlife conservationist, George Adamson, or ‘baba ya simba’ (Father of Lions). It was here that the lion Elsa, of Born Free fame, lived. The former reserve had serious problems with poachers in the 1980s and 1990s – George Adamson was murdered by poachers here in 1989. There are plans for creating a lion sanctuary at Kora. Until then, the main appeal is its pristine, untouched wilderness, which can be explored by any self-sufficient adventurer.
Best Time to Visit
Kora can be visited throughout the year, but the roads can become very difficult to navigate in the Wet season. The grass is very long in the Wet season too, making animals more difficult to spot. The best time for visiting is in the Dry season from June to September.
Getting There
Kora is 280km/173mi to the northeast of Nairobi. A fully-equipped 4×4 is essential. If on an independent trip, it is advisable to travel with a companion.
Kora is connected to several other parks and reserves including Meru National Park. All the big safari animals roam across the borders and can be found in Kora. Due to heavy poaching, animal densities are quite low, however, and the park should be visited for the typical wildlife experience. Elephant, hippo, hyena, and several antelope species are just some of the animals you could encounter.
The scenery of Kora is its main appeal. The endless plains are interrupted by inselbergs, or domed hills, which seemingly ‘float’ above the landscape. The beautiful Tana River forms one of the boundaries of the park, and magnificent doum palms line its banks. Features of the Tana River include Adamson’s Falls, Grand Falls and the Kora Rapids.
The weather and climate of Kora is comparable to that of Kenya in general.
