Aberdare National Park
Introducing
Aberdare National Park
The Aberdare National Park is a Picturesque, steep forested ravines and open moorland conservation area that provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks among others. Rare sightings include those of the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat and the blue duiker. Visitors can indulge in picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson's Francolin, Sparrow hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
Regarded as one of Kenya’s top parks to visit for both first-time and avid safari-goers, the Aberdare National Park is a fairly small national park located in Kenya’s cool central highlands along the Great Rift Valley. Aberdare National Park boasts two unique landscapes; a moorland plateau and areas of dense rainforest and lush mountainous regions of valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and forests. The Aberdare National Park offers a totally different safari experience to the better-known, open savannah parks of Kenya. When you visit the Aberdare on safari, you’ll not only enjoy unique and spectacular scenery, you’ll also experience excellent game viewing. The Aberdare National Park is well located and easy to get to, making it a great addition to your Kenyan safari itinerary.
Highlights
Picturesque, steep forested ravines and open moorland conservation area
Diverse habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks
Visitors can indulge in picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands.
Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson's Francolin, Sparrow hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
Wildlife Viewing:
Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park boasts a vast diversity and robust population of wildlife. Avid wildlife enthusiasts will have the pleasure of seeing every member of the renowned African Big 5, elephants, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino in their natural habitat, with sightings of elephant and buffalo almost guaranteed. Aberdare National Park also has the second largest black rhino population.
In addition to the Big 5, Aberdare National Park is home to a distinct variety of remarkable and extremely rare wildlife species and forest-dwelling game. Some of the rare species you may be lucky enough to see include, the black serval, the black leopard, the black-and-white Colobus monkey, skyes monkey, golden cat, giant forest hog, the nocturnal greater galago, Harvey’s red duiker, and the eastern bongo, the country’s most elusive antelope that lives in the bamboo forests.
Best time to visit:
Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is best during the drier months (from June to September and again from December to February). This is particularly so for hikers who want to explore the park extensively. Otherwise, Aberdare offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, especially since it’s possible to see plenty of wildlife from the tree hotels. For everywhere else in the park, heavy rain can be a hindrance, especially in April, May and October.
How to get to:
Aberdare National Park
Your entry point to Kenya will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi. Aberdare National Park is 160km/100mi north of Nairobi and around 95km/60mi southwest of Nanyuki. The drive takes about 2½ to 3 hours* from Nairobi and around 1½ hours* from Nanyuki. Aberdare is usually visited as part of a 4x4 tour of the country, which includes a driver-guide.
