Table of Contents: # Aberdare National Park Overview # Park Attractions # Animals # Things to Do # Weather # When to Visit # Travel Tips # Entrance Fees # How to Get There # Contacts # Hotels
Aberdare National Park is located in Central Kenya about 100 km to the North of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. It is a protected area under the watch of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The park forms part of Aberdare Mountain Range and consists of different habitats which include
- Mountain peaks (4000 m/13000 ft. above sea level)
- V-shaped Valleys
- Rivers and streams-on the v-shaped valley intersections and include River Tana, Athi, Ewaso Ng’iro, and River Malewa,
- Waterfalls-Karuru waterfalls which fall in 3 steps (117 m, 26 m, and 130 m) and Chania waterfalls among others
- Moorland—found on lower altitudes
- Bamboo forests-found on the lower altitudes
- Rain forests-found on the lower altitudes
Aberdare Mountain Range is 160 km long and is popularly known by the Agikuyu community as Kirima kia Nyandarua. It has a maximum elevation of 3,999 m/13,120 ft. above sea level and is occupied by a dense forest.
The range has two well-known peaks, Mount Satima which is the highest peak and Mount Kinangop which is the second-highest. East of Aberdare Mountain Range is Mount Kenya (where Mount Kenya National Park is), the second-highest mountain in Africa.
The Aberdare National Park Attractions
Why is the Park Popular? Here is why.
- A huge variety of game animals easily seen in the park during game viewing including African Elephant, black rhino, leopard, spotted hyena, olive baboon, black and white colobus monkey, sykes monkey, cape buffalo, warthog, common zebra (North Aberdare), bushbuck, reedbuck. Rare sightings include those of Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wildcat, African civet cat, blue duiker.
- Breathtaking sceneries of Aberdare with magnificent waterfalls including the Karuru waterfalls which fall in 3 steps, 1st step 117M, 2nd step 26M and 3rd 130M, making a total of 273M and Chania waterfalls.
- Adding to the spectacular sceneries of Aberdare are many ridges and river valleys, which attract mountain scenery photographers.
- A 400 km electric fence that protects the whole Aberdare ecosystem from human pressures
- Many things to do including picnics, trout fishing in the rivers, camping in the Moorlands, and bird viewing with over 290 recorded bird species
The Aberdare National Park Animals
The Park has a wide variety of game animals which include; the lion, leopard, spotted hyena, wild dog, jackal, Serval cat, elephant, Cape buffalo, zebra, black rhino, bushbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, mountain reedbuck, suni, eland, duiker, baboon, colobus monkey, sykes monkey, African golden cat, bongo among others
There is also a wide variety of birds-over 290 species of birds-including the goshawks, eagles, sunbirds, plovers among others.
Things to do in the Aberdare National Park
Visitors can indulge in a variety of activities which include
- Fishing-trout fishing in the rivers
- Picnics and nature walks
- Camping in the moorland (Reedbuck (At The Moorlands), Honi Campsite, Shamata Campsite, Bill Woodley Campsite, P.C Haji’s Campsite, Muringato (M1), Bongo (M2), Nyati (M3), Queen Beatrix (M5), Kiguru (K1), Kifaru (K2), and Prince Charles)
- Bird watching-over 290 recorded bird species
- Game viewing-a wide variety of game animals
Aberdare National Park Weather
The park climate is cool and rainy in most parts of the year. Rainfall-short rains are from October to December, Long rains from March to May. The dry season is mostly from late December to February but it still rains but not that much. Late June to September is cold.
When to Visit
All year-round, but we would recommend June to October and December to March when it is easy to navigate and animals are easily seen.
Travel Tips
- This area can be wet and muddy. Mornings and nights can be so cold just a few degrees above freezing. The afternoon temperature could go up to 20C. Thus, carry warm clothes and boots if possible
- If you are camping please carry camping equipment.
- Carry picnic items, drinking water, camera, and guide book.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to avoid the scorching sun.
Aberdare National Park Entrance Fees
Charges are as follows:
Citizens (KES): Adult 250 Children 200
Residents (KES): Adults 250, Child 200
Nonresidents (USD): Adult 30, Child 20
You can use M-Pesa, VISA Card, or direct bank deposit to Kenya Wildlife Services to pay.
How to get there
By Road-You can use Nyeri or Naro Moru to access the park on the Eastern side, 150 km from Nairobi. The Park HQ is 15 km from Nyeri town along Nyeri-Nyahururu Road. You can use Naivasha too on the western side. Naivasha is 150 km from Nairobi.
By Air-it is accessible through the Mweiga Airstrip along Nyeri-Nyahururu Road
Park Contacts
You can contact KWS through
Mobile: +254 772 171 242 & Hotline: +254 773 789 145
Email: [email protected]
Aberdare National Park Hotels and Lodges
Accommodation is offered by both the private investors and the KWS. Here is a list of hotels and lodges near Aberdare National Park.
- The Ark
- Fishing Lodge – KWS Self Catering
- Treetops Lodge
- Aberdare Country Club
- Green Hills Hotel
- The White Rhino Hotel
- Ranges View Lodge
- Rhino Watch Safari Lodge
Campsites include; Nyati, Bongo, Reedbuck, Honi among others.
Have a great wildlife Safari!
