Aberdare National Park is stunning, yet rarely visited Protected Area nestled within the Aberdares Mountain Ranges, in Central highlands of Kenya and East of the mighty East African Rift Valley. This exceptional Kenyan Park extends across the high altitude areas as well as the Aberdares Salient to the East. Like most Protected Areas in Kenya, it is managed by Kenya Wildlife Services and covers an area of 767 square kilometers (76,700 hectares/296 square miles).
Location.
Set within the Central Plains of Kenya, Aberdares National Park is approximately 150 kilometers East of Nairobi City and extends over a diverse variety of terrains. Altitude of the Park ranges from 2000 meters to 4000 meters above sea level and forms part of the Aberdares Mountain Range. It is characterized by different landscapes that include Mountain Peaks that tower up to 4000 meters above sea level, Rivers and Streams, V-shaped Valleys and waterfalls.
History.
This magnificent National Park was gazetted in 1950 to mainly conserve and protect the Aberdares Mountain, and its history is linked to the British Royal Family. It is in this Park that then Prince Elizabeth found out about the untimely death of her father-King George VI while Vacationing at the Treetops Hotel.
ATTRACTIONS WITHIN ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK.
Flora and Fauna.
The Aberdares Mountain Range is marked by varying vegetation zones across different Altitudes. You will see lush Tropical rainforests, Moorland and Bamboo forests within the lower altitude areas. Common wildlife species in this Park are African golden Cats, African lions, Duikers, Giant forest hogs, common elands, Eastern black Rhinoceros, Cape buffaloes, Olive baboons, bushbucks, African bush elephants, black and white colobus monkeys, Side-striped jackals, the rare Eastern Bongo, Defassa waterbucks, Suni, serval cats, African wild dogs, Mountain reedbucks, Common elands, vervet monkeys, warthogs, impalas, Leopards and many others.
Aberdares National Park also hosts over 290 species of migratory, forest and water birds that include plovers, the endangered Aberdares cisticola, African thrush, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Crowned Eagles, African thrush, Sparrow hawk, Jackson’s spur fowl, Silvery-cheeked hornbills, Moorland francolin, the exceptional scarlet-tufted malachite, silvery-cheeked hornbills, Jackson’s francolin, African yellow warblers, Bar-tailed trogon, double-collared sunbirds, Tambourine doves, white-headed wood hoopoe, Golden-winged sunbirds, African green Pigeon, African fish eagles, Olive Ibis and African goshawk among others.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK.
Waterfalls.
This Park is haven to breathtaking waterfalls that include Karuru waterfall, Gura falls, Chania falls and Magura falls among others. The beautiful appearances of these waterfalls offer stunning backdrop for photography.
Game Viewing.
Game viewing is the most popular tourist activity in Aberdares National Park and half the thrill of this experience is encountering the giant Elephants, prides of lions, Cape buffaloes or leopards suddenly emerging from the dense rainforest or savannah plains. The vast savannah plains of this Park can be best explored while on game drives
Hiking/mountain climbing.
Aberdares National Park’s deep ravines, mountain streams, high mountain peaks, moorland plateau and others can be explored through hiking tours. The dense rainforest paves way to the Bamboo forest as well as riveting Alpine vegetation as you ascend the mountain peaks of this Park. You are guaranteed of meeting forest elephants, Defassa waterbucks, forest buffaloes, duikers, Bushbucks, lions, the rare Suni and many others.
Lucky climbers/hikers might also catch a glimpse of the country’s rarest antelope-the Eastern Bongo in addition to primates-vervet monkeys, olive baboons, Sykes monkeys and the black and white colobus monkeys. Commonest hikes in this Park include the 26-kilometer Elephant Hill hike (3720 meters) where you will be rewarded with views of Sasamua dam, numerous wildlife species and Ndakaini dam.
There is also the hike to Ol Donyo Mountain peaks (at 4000 meters above sea level). Also hike Mount Satima for rich views of different wildlife species, the spectacular Rift Valley and Mount Kenya.
Birding.
Birding is another must-do tourist activity in Aberdare National Park. With over 290 bird species within the Park’s 767-square kilometer boundary, you can undertake the activity from anywhere including your place of stay. Expect to encounter the double-collared sunbirds, Hunters cisticola, the Aberdare cisticola, double-collared sunbirds, Jackson’s francolin, African Paradise flycatcher, Narina Trogon, golden-winged sunbirds and many others. Birding tours in this Park are conducted during game drives as well as walking safaris/or guided bush walks.
Walking safaris.
You cannot talk of tourist activities in Aberdare National Park without mentioning the rewarding walking safaris. Walks through the savannah plains, valleys and forest vegetation introduce visitors to the hidden gem of the Park that include the stunning feathered beauties, wildlife species, waterfalls and other attractions.
Trout Fishing.
This park is one of the few unforgettable places for Trout fishing in Kenya and is conducted within three Rivers-Ambone, Chania and Gura. Fishing equipment-fishing license and gears can be attained from the Park Headquarters and it is done under the guidance of experienced guide. These guides know how and where to find the fish.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK?
This National Park carries the bulk of high altitudes of the Aberdares Mountain Ranges within Kenya’s Central Plains and the best time to visit is the dry season. This is in the months of January, February, June, July, August and September because during these months, the region is cooler than the savannahs as well as Coastal plains, owing to the high altitude of the region. Being a dry season, most animals converge around water sources, making it a wonderful game viewing and photography time.
The rainy season-March through May as well as October through December is when rainfall is at its peak, making Park roads literally impassable.
Entry Fees.
Access to Aberdare National Park is on a daily basis, between 6:00am and 7:00pm. Park entry fees for this Park include $30 for foreign non-resident adults, $20 for foreign non-resident students and children. The East African Citizens (adults) and residents (adults) pay Kshs. 250 while students or children are charged only Kshs. 200.
SOME OF THE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK?
The Ark.
The Ark is nestled at the heart of Aberdare National Park, overlooking the floodlit waterhole and salt lick. This draws numerous wildlife species especially Defassa waterbucks, common elands, elephants, buffaloes, duikers, giant forest hogs and many others.
The facility was modeled after the Ark of Noah, with four viewing decks with private balconies and lounge to enjoy wildlife viewing at the comfort of your place of stay.
Aberdare Country Club.
Aberdare Country Club is a true Paradise snuggled within the beautiful Mweiga hill of Aberdare highlands and only about two and a half hours’ drive north-east of Nairobi City. Treetops Lodge. This facility used to be hone of an English couple that chose Kenya as their permanent settlement and after almost 50 years, their home was named Aberdare Country Club.
Some of the facilities here are steam and massage palour, Spa and gym, wedding venue, golf court and boasts of Cottages and one standard VIP suite for honeymooners, families and others.
Treetops Lodge.
Treetops Lodge is a rustic colonial treehouse Lodge of more than 80 years. It was constructed in 1932 but was recently given a face lift. It is not just a Lodge but a historical site, popular for being the place where then Princess Elizabeth received news of her father’s passing and eventually descending the throne. It is said that King George VI passed away on the 5th February 1952, the night she spent overnight at the Treetops.
Besides offering comfortable accommodation, the Lodge is an elephant migratory path between the Aberdare Ranges as well as Mount Kenya National Park. The large windows look into the wilderness with views of Cape buffaloes, Rhinos, giant forest hogs, elephants and common elands. It boasts of 36 en-suite Guestrooms that include 33 twin rooms and 3 spacious suites. a
How to Get to Aberdare National Park?
Aberdare National Park is about 93 miles east of the City of Nairobi and is easily accessible from Naro Moru and Nyeri. It is also only 54 miles from Naivasha and can be accessed by air and road transport. Aberdare National Park’s Headquarter is serviced by two spectacular Airstrips that include Nyeri and Mweiga. Therefore, scheduled and chartered flights can be arranged from Wilson Airport for this Park.
If you opt for road transport, the journey takes between two and three hours from Nairobi City to this Park, through a tarmacked road. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, connect by road to the different entrance gates-Rhino gate or Shamata gate. These gates are accessed by visitors travelling from Nyahururu via Nyeri Town but those from Naivasha can access the Park through Mutubio gate.
OTHER REMARKABLE TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN KENYA.
Besides Aberdare National Park, magical Kenya is also haven to other remarkable tourist destinations that include Masai Mara National Park; famous for the Great migration which also move with millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles.
The national Park renowned for its free-ranging elephants and far views of Mount Kilimanjaro; Don’t miss out the safari to Tsavo National Parks, Lake Nakuru National Park, Ol Pejeta, Mount Kenya, Lamu Town, pristine white-sandy beaches and Nairobi City with its National Park.
