Aberdare National Park is located in central Kenya, about 150 km from the capital, Nairobi. The park is situated in the heart of the Aberdare mountain ranges, in the eastern part of the East African Great Rift Valley. The park is located at higher altitudes in the Aberdare Salient. The park’s altitude ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 meters above sea level. Founded in 1950, Aberdare National Park spans 767 square kilometres, encompassing a portion of the Aberdare Mountain ranges. This is one of Kenya’s national parks, which draws a large number of travellers to the country for Kenya tours.
Aberdare rocks are isolated volcanic peaks that form the eastern border of the Great Rift Valley, which runs approximately 100 km north-south via Nairobi and Thompsons Falls. The park is situated in a cool, high mountainous environment, with the beautiful charm of savannahs interspersed with Acacia trees on one side and bamboo forests and rainforests at the mountain’s base on the other. The park’s high altitude creates distinct weather conditions that are cooler than anywhere else in Kenya.
The park is notable for its African big five, including rare black leopards. Other big 5 animals include enormous herds of elephants, lions, buffaloes, and rare black rhinos, which are timid and difficult to sport. This makes the park an unsuitable location for the African Big Five. The waterfalls are also a popular attraction at the park, where visitors may enjoy sightseeing and adventure.
How to Get to Aberdare National Park.
Aberdare National Park is located around 150 kilometres from Nairobi, along the popular tourist route that connects Lake Nakuru and Naivasha National Park. The park is 87 kilometres from Naivasha town and can be reached via the Nyeri and Naro Moru highways. The most popular mode of transportation is via road; nevertheless, the park includes two airstrips, one near the Aberdare headquarters in Nyeri and another in Mweiga. The drive is more scenic and interesting, going through little towns and observing the features of the huge, vast rift valley. On the way to the park, we have several stops, and we may enjoy the locals at the various markets and craft shops along the way.
One travels through the smooth asphalt road that cuts across the park on the lower slopes up to the moorlands, eventually passing and joining the road that comes from Naivasha on the west side. On Nayhururu Road, the park headquarters are approximately 15 kilometers from adjacent Nyeri Town.
Attractions in Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park has more distinctive features throughout the valley. The park’s attractions include stunning waterfalls and a diverse range of species. Acacia trees intersperse the wide Savannah environment, while the park’s mountain ranges host bamboo forests.
The park features the following attractions:
Wildlife and animals Aberdare National Park is a natural wonder and one of the few parks in Kenya, if not all of Africa, where visitors can see all of the African Big Five in one location. The park is modest in comparison to larger parks such as Tsavo West and East National Parks. Although the park is tiny, it is home to a diverse range of species, including lions, black leopards, black rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. Other games include Giant Forest Hog, Golden Cat, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Zebras, Hyena, Monkeys, Bongo, African Wild Cat, and others.
Karuru Falls is a three-step waterfall located in the Aberdare Mountains. The falls are more stunning, with the first step at 117 meters, the second at 26 meters, and the longest at 130 meters. Other waterfalls in the park include Chania waterfalls and several lower falls.
Aberdare mountain ranges offer scenic and unusual views during easy hikes in the park. This range, as well as other rift valley living valleys, mingle with the cliffs that form the park’s top mountains.
Aberdare National Park supports around 290 bird species due to its diverse vegetation zones. The birds vary from open savannah species to forest bird species.
Forests
The park’s bamboo and rainforests are home to a variety of forest tree species, attracting both recreational tourists and scholars.
Activities at Aberdare National Park.
These Kenyan excursions to Aberdare offer a more fascinating and popular wilderness experience than most other parks in Kenya. Historically, it was at the Treetops Lodge that Princess Elizabeth learned of her father’s death and her new status as a princess.
Game viewing
Aberdare National Park will never disappoint you because you can see all of Africa’s big five. Permanent occupants of the park include lions, hyenas, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, monkeys, and many more. Game drives are most rewarding in the mornings, when the animals are more active and enjoy the cooler weather. Game drives are also fantastic in the afternoon, especially late in the evening, when animals, particularly shy species such as leopards, rhinos, and others, come out to catch up on their day’s food.
With over 290 bird species, birding in Aberdare National Park is more rewarding and enjoyable. Birders choose to visit this park because it has rare bird species. It is undeniable that trekking through bamboo forests and rain forests in search of birds in the forest leads to encounters with other forest animals such as forest hogs, forest elephants, duikers, waterbucks, and others. Common bird species include sparry hawks, eagles, plovers, sunbirds, goshawks, francolins, and Cisticolas.
Visit the waterfalls. Visitors can also explore the park’s three-step Kiruru waterfalls and other smaller waterfalls. The park offers various gorgeous vistas that are enjoyable.
Best time for game viewing in Aberdare National Park.
Highlands and dense bamboo forests cover Aberdare National Park, a popular destination for visitors visiting Kenya throughout the year. Climatic variables throughout the year can be considered to some extent, but they have little impact on daily activity in the park. The greatest time to visit is during the dry season, when the animals and the park’s water catchment areas are more visible. If you want to get the most out of your Aberdare National Park animal experience or combine it with other neighbouring parks such as Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, proper planning and timing are essential.
