Aberdare National Park Kenya, Aberdare Park Animals, Wildlife Safaris in Aberdare National Park Kenya featuring animals such as Lion: Rare, Leopard: Rare, Cheetah: None, Elephant: Common, Giraffe: None, White Rhino, diversity in terms of landscape. From bamboo forest to dry area and stunning waterfalls, and many others.

Aberdare National Park that extends up to an area of 766 km forms the biggest part of Aberdare Mountain Range and was established in 1950. Located about 100km from the northern side of Kenya`s capital (Nairobi), Aberdare national park has moorland that will escort you to the new world which spreads beyond a range of topographies, covering altitudes of up to 4,300m above sea level to their deep v-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, waterfalls, bamboo forests and tropical rain forest found at lower altitudes.

Aberdare National Park is branded by the steep bamboo forested gorges which inhabit a multiplicity of wildlife including the elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, bushbucks, among others, it is a home to rare creatures like the giant forest hog or the bongo antelope. There are also over 250 species of birds including hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers. An Aberdare National Park safari is surely all-time memorable experience!

Climate and Weather

The park is always misty and cool year in-year out. The altitude of the Aberdare dictates the climate despite its nearness to the equator. In the rainy seasons from March to May and October to December, park roads become impassable.

Camp sites include;

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), Prince Charles

Other Lodges include; Silent lodge, Serena Mountain lodge, the white rhino hotel, tickles hotel, Anka resort, Maru gree court hotel, queens park guest house, Treetops lodge, Goshem farm hotel, Maya`s guest house, Legacy gardens Nyeri.

What to See in Aberdare National Park Kenya?

A diversity of tourist attractions and activities can be experienced while in Aberdare national park and they include;

Wild life safari in Aberdare National park

The Park inhabits a big number of big game, like lion, leopards, African elephant, giant forest hog, bushbuck, black rhino, giraffe, buffalo, stripped jackals, duikers, water buck, eland, crocodiles and many more.  The thick tropical rainforest hosts primates like Sykes, olive baboons, colobus monkeys among others. Some of the rare species available include golden cat, the bongo antelope, serval cats, and wild dogs.

Bird watching in Aberdare National park

Bird watching in Aberdare national park, is most ideal; be sure to see over 250 species of different birds like sparry hawks, eagles, sunbirds, plovers, Aberdare cisticola, goshawks, deckens hornbill, peacock and many others.

Mountain Climbing at Satima peak in Aberdare National park

Satima peak offers great sightseeing opportunities. This activity chains views of the great rift valley to the west with the amazing horizon view of Mount Kenya. Observe the surrounding lake Naivasha, Mt Kenya and Mt Kirimanjaro, lake Nakuru and the Daiga hills on a clear day while at the horizon. Satima peak is about 4001meters high and it can take about 2-3hours of hike. A morning trek to the top of Satima peak would be the most ideal.

Trout fishing in Aberdare National park

This is also another popular activity in the moorland`s in the ice-cold Guru Karuru and Chania Rivers within the park.

Other attractions worth visiting include the elephant hill, marked with several trails of the African elephant, the Twin hills, Table Mountains and the beautiful Thomson falls.

Where to Stay in Aberdare National Park Kenya

The Ark lodge in Aberdare National park

Located in the center of Aberdare National Park, The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which invites a multitude of awesome wildlife. Resembling and named after Noah’s Ark, The Ark lodge has three decks with balconies and lounges that offer a clear view of wildlife. The Ark has four viewing areas for observing the ever-present animal activity.

Fishing Lodge in Aberdare National park

These cabins are found inside Aberdare National Park, they provide a secluded shelter for trout fishing, walking safaris, hiking and an opportunity to see spectacular waterfalls, moorland scenery and various wildlife including lions, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos.

Upper Hut in Aberdare National parkA secluded cabin deep in the Moorlands of Aberdare. Sited next to a small waterfall.

Camp sites include;

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), Prince Charles

Other Lodges include; Silent lodge, Serena Mountain lodge, the white rhino hotel, tickles hotel, Anka resort, Maru gree court hotel, queens park guest house, Treetops lodge, Goshem farm hotel, Maya`s guest house, Legacy gardens Nyeri.

Accessibility to Aberdare National Park

Road Transport to Aberdare National Park

By road: From the east, Aberdare national park can be accessed by tarmac from Nyeri town and Naro Moru town. It is approximately 160kms from Nairobi, a road that traverse the park by the lower slopes up to the Moorlands to connect with another road from Naivasha and north Kinangop on the western side.

The park can be accessed from the main towns of Nyeri (154km from Nairobi), Nyahururu (188km from Nairobi) using the Rhino gate, Shamata gate, and from Naivasha (87km from Nairobi) use Mutubio gate.

Air Transport to Aberdare National Park

By air: Next to the park`s headquarters is Mweiga airstrip, or Nyeri airstrip which is 12kms away from Mweiga headquarters.