Aberdare National Park

Holyday in Kenya

Aberdare National Park (“Majestic Peaks, Moorlands and Intriguing Falls”)

Situated ten kilometers north-west of Nyeri town and about 165 kilometers from Nairobi, the Aberdares range was first recorded by Joseph Thompson in 1883. It is part of an ancient group of extinct volcanoes about 100 kilometers north-north-west of Nairobi which rise to a height of 3998 meters (13,120 ft).

Picturesque, steep forested ravines and open moorland characterise the Aberdare National Park (715 sq. km). The park 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.

Accessibility is through Nyeri Town via Mweiga Park HQs and on the park gate. An alternative route is through Naivasha on the road that crosses the park from the west. The Aberdares two lodges- the Ark and the Treetops are specifically designed to view the animals after dark. Both offer floodlit salt licks and ponds that can be observed from various viewing areas in the lodges.