Aberdare National park 2024-2025
The picturesque Aberdare National Park is located in the East African Rift Valley region of central Kenya among the Aberdare mountain ranges. This park was established in 1950 and administered by Kenya Wildlife Services. It has a surface area of 766 square kilometers. The park is a section of the Aberdare mountain ranges, rising between 2000 and 4000 meters above sea level. The park’s amazing topography has two distinct eco-systems. On the lower slopes, the salient is composed of bamboo, moorland, and rainforest. In contrast, the mountain range is made up of deep valleys in the shape of a V that are crossed by rivers, streams, and waterfalls.
One of the greatest places in Kenya to go on safari is Aberdare National Park. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife in addition to its stunning 300-meter-high waterfalls, hazy tropical rainforests, and rugged terrain. Along the route, you’ll see wonderful views of buffaloes, baboons, monkeys, elephants, and antelopes emerging from the thick jungle. A hike through the park takes you from rainforests to bamboo groves and high alpine plants. In addition to a few extremely rare species like the bongo, a massive antelope that inhabits the park’s bamboo forest, Aberdare National Park is home to around 2000 elephants that traverse its magnificent environment.
Kenya has the second-largest black rhino herd in Aberdare. The elusive black leopard is frequently sighted alongside spotted hyenas, African golden cats, jackals, elands, bush pigs, and waterbucks. It is uncommon to detect, yet the lion is definitely present in Aberdare. Not only that, but Aberdare National Park is a birder’s heaven with over 290 known species of birds, including the critically endangered Aberdare Cisticola, all tucked away in its foggy jungle. Many raptor species and migratory bird species can be found in the park.
Best time to visit Aberdare National park.
In general, Aberdare National Park provides year-round, breathtaking game viewing. However, given the park’s hilly terrain, rain is likely to fall at any time. Nevertheless, the dry season, which runs from January to February and June to September, is the ideal time to have a Kenya safari in the park. These are the best months to go trekking and game viewing. In Aberdare National Park, the wet seasons of March through May and October through November are ideal for bird watching.
Top attractions in Aberdare national park.
Aberdare Mountain Ranges.
The main draw for visitors to Aberdare National Park is the Aberdare Ranges. The extensive East African Rift valley’s eastern boundary is formed by this isolated volcanic mountain, which spans 160 kilometers. Kenya is a great destination for trekking vacations because of the Aberdare mountain ranges. The highest peak in the Aberdare range is called Mount Santima, and its other highest peaks are Mountain Kinangop (3,906 meters), Table Mountain (3791 meters), Martini Hill (3698 meters), Chebuswa range (3364 meters), Elephant (3590 meters), and the range’s southernmost peak, Mount Chebuswa (3,964 meters). The Aberdare ranges get up to a maximum elevation of about 4000 meters above sea level.
The Aberdare mountain ranges are important to the indigenous Kikuyu people in addition to being a haven for a variety of species, including monkeys and birds. The Aberdares are known to the Kikuyu as “Nyandarua,” which means drying fleece because to its unique shapes. For example, the ranges on the west of the Aberdares fall gently into the Kinangop plateau, while the ranges on the east have a steeper drop.
Wildlife.
Many wildlife species, such as elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, black rhinos, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, bush bucks, and waterbucks, can be found in the natural cradle of Aberdare National Park. These have been exceptional encounters with a variety of animals, including blue duikers, African golden cats, lions, and enormous forest hogs, to name a few. The second highest rhino population in Kenya is found at Aberdare National Park, an amazing national park in Kenya recognized for its high rhino population.
Birds.
Offering over 250 documented bird species, including the unique Hartlaub’s turaco and the enigmatic Aberdare cisticola, which is indigenous to the area, Aberdare National Park is a terrific place for birdwatchers and safari enthusiasts to travel to in Kenya. Abyssinian Crimsonwing, African goshawk, African green pigeon, African paradise flycatcher, Africa yellow warbler, African green pigeon, and numerous other bird species can all be seen in Aberdare National Park.
Waterfalls.
When on a safari in Aberdare National Park, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the park’s waterfalls. There are numerous different waterfalls in the park, such as Karuma Falls, which is home to several unusual mature wonders. The waterfall, which drops more than 300 meters below the viewing platform, is the biggest and tallest in Kenya and a magnificent sight. There is stunning vegetation and landscape all around the waterfall. A few other waterfalls in the park are the waterfalls at Kereita Cave and Waterfall, Thomson’s waterfall/Nyahururu waterfalls, Queens cave, and Magura waterfalls, to name a few.
The Kikuyu People.
Living in the vicinity of Aberdare National Park, the Kikuyu people consider the Aberdare Ranges to be one of their god Ngai’s dwelling places. Since there are so many distinct folds in this area, the locals gave it the name Nyandarua, which translates to “drying hide.” On a cultural encounter in the park, the intriguing Kikuyu ethnic minority showcases their own and genuine customs.
Game drives.
In the comfort of a 4×4 safari vehicle, take game drives through the magnificent Aberdare National Park during the day and enjoy amazing wildlife viewing at night. Visitors can experience a variety of wildlife species in Aberdare National Park during game drives, including the Big Five, numerous rare and unusual kinds of wild cats, and more nocturnal sightings that can make for an enjoyable nighttime game drive.
Birding.
Approximately 250 different bird species can be sighted in the Aberdare National Area when on a safari in the park. Visitors to Aberdare can anticipate seeing a wide variety of bird species, including fish eagles, goshawks, mountain buzzards, breasted sparrow hawks, sunbirds, and Jackson’s francolin.The Aberdare National Park offers excellent year-round birding, with migratory birds visible from November to April.
Hiking.
In Aberdare National Park, hiking is the most exciting way to experience a safari. This national park, which includes the Aberdare mountain ranges, is a hiker’s paradise with steep, rough terrain perfect for trekking. Trekking through the breathtaking waterfalls, to the twin or elephant hills, or up the table highlands offers breathtaking landscape with animal encounters.
Visit Sweet waters game Reserve.
The Aberdare ranges and the foothills of Mount Kenya are the locations of the Sweet Waters Game Reserve. It is home to a wide variety of species, including non-native chimpanzees and the big five (lion, buffalo, leopard, elephants, and the critically endangered black rhino). A unique safari experience is offered by Ol Pejeta’s expansive fields, various wildlife populations, and breathtaking vistas. One of Sweet Waters’ most well-liked attractions is the chimpanzee refuge. Another attraction is Morani, the well-known tamed rhino.
Fishing.
Aberdare National Park is among the top places in Kenya for those who love fishing to go on fishing expeditions. Anglers visiting the Aberdares fish the rivers and streams of the high moorlands. Any river within the park, including the Chania River, is open to trout fishing for visitors.
Visit the Kikuyu.
A visit to the Kikuyu community in Aberdare National Park provides an insight into their unique cultural practices. The Kikuyu live in a village at the foot of the Outspan hotel. In this beautiful village, indigenous Kikuyu dancers perform while dressed traditionally. Discover the Agikuyu custom in this hamlet, designed specifically to teach tourists about the cultures of the indigenous peoples.
Accommodation in Aberdare national park.
In the Aberdare National Reserve sits the first tree house in Kenya, Treetops Hotel Aberdare. A historical royal connection and a picturesque view of a salt lick and water hole from the hotel’s park position are its most well-known features. Since its founding in 1932, the hotel—which is situated 6,459 feet above sea level—has expanded to include 50 rooms. In addition to 43 twin rooms and 2 suites, the hotel has 5 triple rooms. Situated amidst the thick, lichen-covered Aberdare forest, it presents a breathtaking vista of Mount Kenya in addition to a waterhole and a salt lick.
Rhino watch Safari Lodge.
On the Nyeri–Nyahururu highway, this lodge is situated approximately 6 kilometers outside of Mwiga Town. The 30-acre Rhino Watch estate is where the lodge is located. It offers tastefully designed, warm, and stylish chalets that are modeled after traditional Kikuyu homes. There is a 25-square-meter bed and living area under the makuti, or grass, roofs. Two beds that can be united to form a king-sized bed are available in each room. There’s also a little work desk and a couple of seats. Additionally, there is a sizable bathroom with a hot shower.
Chaka Ranch Tented Camp.
Tourists on Kenya safaris in Aberdare National Park can enjoy one of the best luxurious accommodation experiences at the Chaka Ranch Tented Camp, which is situated in Kiganjo, Nyeri County. It is tucked away in lush gardens and a natural environment between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares mountain ranges. Twelve opulent tents offer lodging in a private and exclusive setting. The gorgeous Chaka Ranch leisure park, which has Kenya’s largest collection of quad bikes and off-road buggies and offers breathtaking adventures for people of all ages, is just a short stroll from the Chaka tented camp. Take a wheel and enjoy an assortment of amazing off-road buggies on a 2km race course.
Tafaria Castle and Cunty lodge.
The Aberdare Ranges, the Laikipia plains, and Mount Kenya are all visible from the top of Tafaria Castle Lodge. In addition to delicious local cuisine and foreign culture meals, the lodge offers excellent guesthouses. From this lodge, you may have an even better view of mountain Kenya and the Aberdares, which are beautifully rendered like wall paper, just outside the hotel.
