Aberdare National Park lies in the central Kenya located east of the East African Rift Valley, covering the higher areas and the Aberdare Salient to the east. More so, the park is located about 100 kilometers north of Nairobi and stretches over wide range of terrain at elevations from 2,000 meters to 4,000 meters, established in May 1950.
Despite the fact, the park covers an area of 766 square kilometers and forms part of the Aberdare Mountain Range. It contains a wide range of landscapes right from mountain peaks that rise to 4,000 meters above sea level, to their deep, V – shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers and waterfalls. Then, on its lower elevations is comprised of moorland, bamboo forests and rainforest.
Attractions in the Aberdare National Park;
Wildlife; Lion, leopard, elephant, East African wild dog, giant forest hog, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, waterbuck, cape buffalo, suni, side- striped jackal, eland, duiker, olive baboon, black and white colobus monkey and Sykes monkey and rarer species to see include African golden cat and the bongo. Other species like common eland, serval inhabits the higher moorlands and also hosts a large number of eastern black rhinoceros’ population.
Birdlife; The endangered bird species includes; Aberdare cisticola, Jackson’s spurfowl, African goshawk, Sparrowhawk, African fish eagle, sunbirds and plovers.
Water falls; Stunned of magical peaks, Moorlands and intriguing Falls.
Beautiful sceneries of Aberdare include; Magnificent waterfalls with the main ones being Karuru waterfalls which fall in three steps ,1st steep 117-meter,2nd step 26meter and 3rd 130 meter, thus making a total of 273 meters and 3rd measures 130 meter thus making a total of 273meter as well as Chania waterfalls.
Beautiful ridges and river valleys which attracts mountain scenery photographers.
Current marked attraction in Aberdare raises 400 kilometers electric fence which was completed on 28th August ,2009. The fence plays a great role of the whole Aberdare ecosystem from human pressure and contains wildlife, preventing human.
Visitors can enjoy indulge in picnics, trout fishing ‘’ in the past the rivers were stocked with brown rainbow trout’’ in the rivers and camping in the Moorlands.
Things to do in Aberdare National Park;
Aberdare National Park is one of the top destinations that attracts visitors on visit –Kenyan Safari and activities offered includes; Bird watching, game viewing, photography, camping and trekking.
Game viewing; Aberdare National Park is one of the best Kenya National parks for wildlife viewing safaris with many viewing spots that allows tourists to have a glance at a lot of wildlife species like Big 5 game ‘’Lion, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, elands’ waterbucks, baboons, waterbucks, monkeys and numerous species of birds. The best viewing spots in the park is close the waterbodies like streams, waterfalls, rivers where several animals are seen gathering quenching for thirsty. Walk into the forest trails where you will be able to view various primate species; baboons and monkey and in the moorland, areas can see several grazing mammals.
The best way to view the wildlife in Aberdare in through engaging in morning game drive that gives you a great opportunity to spot rare nocturnal mammals and big cats can on hunt.
Note; You can decide to do full day game drive or evening game drive all offers memorable experience.
Birding; The park is home to over 250 species of birds thus making it gorgeous destination for bird lovers which are best spotted from the month of November, December, January, February, March and April among others. Some of lists to see; Ibis, Jackson’s francolin, Starlings, African fish eagle, Spur fowl, Plovers, Sunbirds, hornbills, African thrush among others.
Hiking; Aberdare National Park offers stunning hiking experience via the forest and moorlands to visit different attractions within the park like waterfalls, mountain ranges and many other unique tourist attractions.
Fishing; Travelers who intend to carryout trout fishing, we recommend you to visit the park. Fishing is best done in the moorlands within the stream valley and rivers flow.
Horseback riding; This is a fantastic activity that enables one to adventure the beauty nature within the park closely. Taking a ride in the park allows you to tour different parts of the park as you view several fauna and flora species.
Accommodations in Aberdare National Park
While on visit to Aberdare National Park don’t get worried because it has got excellent accommodation facilities like Treetops lodge which offers a wide range of views even at the comfort of your lodge. There is also Ark which provides a clear view of the drinking points for various wildlife species in the park.
The park stuns with plenty of accommodations including; lodges, hotels, camping sites, picnic sites many more.
Getting there;
By road; The park can be accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the Eastern side and it’s 150 kilometers from Nairobi. A road crosses the park through the lower slopes up to the Moorlands to link with another one from Naivasha on the western side. Naivasha is 87 kilometers from Nairobi.
Note; The park headquarters lie 15kilometers from Nyeri town, along the Nyeri – Nyuhururu road.
By air; The nearest airstrips to the park are named Mweiga Airstrip on the opposite side from park headquarters along Nyeri – Nyahururu road near Sasini Estate Farm.
Kenya -Uganda;
From Kenya you can fly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport to fly you to Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport. Access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can book schedule domestic Aero link Uganda to fly you to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip ‘’1:30hours’’. Another option, drive from Kampala or Entebbe to the park which takes 9 to 10 hours drive to access the park.
A traveler can choose to do a combined safari itinerary Kenya –Uganda Safari; You can do wildlife safari in Aberdare with Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
