Kora National Park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometers. It is located 125 kilometers east of Mount Kenya. The Park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973. It was gazetted as a national park in 1989, following the murder of George Adamson by poachers. Kampi ya Simba, former home of George and Joy Adamson, is synonymous with Kora National Park. The couple were wildlife conservationists and authors. They were depicted in the film Born Free and best-selling book with the same title, which is based on the true story of Elsa the Lioness, an orphaned lioness cub they had raised and later released into the wild which we have mentioned in Meru National Park.
The Park offers a pristine wilderness dotted with tall Inselbergs and graced by the Tana River in which the Adamson’s falls, Grand falls and Kora rapids are found. Located in Tana River County, the park’s topography consists of rocky formations that create a surreal landscape, acacia woodlands and doum palms. The Park is crisscrossed by seasonal rivers too and Tana River forms the northern boundary of this park and Meru National Park.
Wildlife found in the park include; elephants, Lesser Kudus, wild dogs, striped and spotted hyenas, leopards, lions and cheetahs. There are about 500 species of insects, 40 reptiles in the park. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, hiking, river rafting, fishing, rock climbing, camping and visits to George Adamson’s grave.