Meru Kenya

Stretched out along the eastern side of the Mt Kenya ring road, Meru isn’t so much a base of operations for Mount Kenya or Meru National park, but rather a travel hub. Whether you end up having to spending the night here, or just stop to stock up on various commodities, it’s worth a look around.

Because it’s a regional service centre and not a tourist destination you’ll rarely hassled on the streets, despite them being alive with activities. The colorful main market is worth a stroll and if you ever thought of chewing miraa, Meru is the epicenter of Kenyan production.

It’s quite a climb up to Meru from either Isiolo or Embu, and in the rainy season you will find yourself lost in the clouds. However, when the weather is clear there are superb views for miles over the surrounding lowlands, and you may catch glimpses of Mt Kenya. The town is focal point for the Meru people.

Information on Meru town Kenya

Barclays Bank (Tom Mboya St) exchange cash and charge 1% commission on traveler’s cheque. With ATM. Café Candy (Tom Mboya St; Internet per hr Ksh180) decent internet connections.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB; Njuri Ncheke St) Exchange cash and travelers cheques (Ksh 50 per leaf commission).

Meru Country Council (Kenyatta Hwy) booking for Meru Mt Kenya Lodge on the Chogoria route. Post Office (Kenyatta Hwy) with internet and card phones.

Standard Chartered Bank ( Moi Ave) Exchange cash and travelers cheques (Ksh50 per leaf commission).

Places to Sleep in Meru

Nothing here will truly float your boat, but hopefully those listed bellow won’t sink it either.

Goodnight Lodge (Mosque Hill Rd; s incl breakfast Kshs350) probably the best budget option. Rooms and bathrooms (hot water showers but no toilet seats) are clean and the upstairs options take in some sun. Breakfast is a bit of a joke (two boiled eggs and buttered bread).

Brown Rock Hotel (Njiru Ncheke St; s/tw Kshs350/450) although the brown - and - white floor tiles are failing, this is still your best bet for cheap twin-bedded rooms. Some arte brighter and have balconies, so check out a few. Hot water is sketchy at times.

Meru Safari Hotel (Kenyatta Hwy; s/tw Kshs600/800) considering your hot water showers come from the kitchen with buckets, this place is overpriced. Rooms are slightly more comfortable than those seen at Goodnight and Brown Rock. The terrace bar is its greatest asset.

Stansted Hotel (Kenyatta Hwy; kshs200) any cleanish rooms at this price with bathrooms (and toilet seat) are a blessing indeed. It’s quit too, but the beds aren’t comfortable.

Pig & Whistle (off Kenyatta Hwy; s/tw incl breakfast Kshs1000/1200) this place has a distinctly ramshackle to it, with nice quiet grounds and a colonial-style bar/restaurant and lounge. Most of the cottages are uninspiring concrete blocks, but TV, phone and a dinning area go some way towards compensation. More memorable stays are to be had in the old (1934) wooden cabins.

Meru Country Hotel (Kenyatta Hwy; s/tw incl breakfast Ksh 1000/1500) this is the other midrange contender in town, with a bit less style but a few more creature comforts. The ‘studio’ suites, with balconies and TVs, are well worth the extractor Kshs100.

Eating and Drinking

With French, Thai Chinese and French bits (how cruel of us!) but that still leaves you with Indian and Kenya. Pig & Whistle (off Kenyatta Hwy; meals Ksh 60-250) flowering hedges separate tables in this scenic garden eatery that serves up tasty Kenyan Fare. It’s also a great place for an afternoon beer.

Meru country Hotel (Kenyatta Hwy; meals kshs60-280) Thatched umbrellas hover over each table on this pretty nyama choma (Barbecued meat) terrace. If you want to give the flaming flesh a rest, Western, Kenyan and Indian Meals are also on offer.

Royal Hotel (Tom Mboya St; meals Kshs80-150) Deep pots ensure they still have locals; this is a good place for cheap vegetarian curries, stews and fish during the day.

Angie’s Café (Kenyatta Hwy; meals Kshs50-150) Sedated goldfish patrol the aquarium and watch over some simple menus. Locals recommend the biryani. Uchumi Supermarket (off Mosque Hill Rd) a very well stocked option for self-caterers.

Entertainment in Meru

The Mwitari Bar (off Moi Ave), behind the shell petrol station, is an odd, weirdly Swiss Family Robinson-style structure, which sometimes hosts life bands. The only other evening action is at Club Dimples (Angaine Rd; cover Kshs50; Wed, Fri & Sat evenings), which is an energetic disco joint up the hill.

Getting there and away

Kensilver (Mosque Hill Rd) has 13 daily departments from 6.45am onwards, covering Embu (Kshs250, and two hours), Thika (Ksh 280, 3 ½ hours) and Nairobi (Ksh 300, 4 ¼ hours).

Mombasa Raha (Mosque hill Road) has daily 5pm services to Mombasa (Ksh900, 10 hours). Regular matatus serve the same destination for similar costs and leave from the main stand, near the main market, and from opposite the Shell petrol station. Matatus also serve Nanyuki (Kshs120, 1½, hours) and Isiolo (Kshs120, 11/2hours).

Robert is a tour consultant with landmark safaris in Kenya. Click here to plan your Mt Kenya area mountain Kenya vacation/holiday http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner/?refferer=ezinearticles