Stunning view of Mt. Kenya from Aberdares National Park

Aberdare National Park is one of the major national parks in Kenya that offer exceptional hiking terrains and stunning views, the park is located between Mount Kenya to the north and the Great Rift Valley.

Aberdares national park

Aberdare National Park is one of the major national parks in Kenya that offer, kenya safari tours, exceptional hiking terrains, and stunning views, the park is located between Mount Kenya to the north and the Great Rift Valley on the south, it was named after Lord Aberdare by a Scottish explorer Joseph Thompson in 1884.

The fascinating park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges with mountains rising over 4000m above sea level. Major attractions include a couple of stunning waterfalls, natural forests, stunning hiking terrains and wildlife. Easily spotted animals include; the Black Rhino, leopard, baboon, black and white Colobus monkey, sykes monkey, and over 250 bird species a Kenya wildlife safari tour.

Activities

Activities at Aberdare National Park are centered on day and night game watching; other activities would include safari camping, bird watching, hiking and nature walks, photography, horse riding, bush breakfast, and sun-downer dinners, seminars and corporate retreats and educational trips.

Accommodation

Aberdare National Park is famous for its tree-house hotels - Treetops and The Ark. With walkways and accommodation raised into the forest canopy, you can watch animals from a unique vantage point. Positioned by waterholes and natural salt licks, animals provide constant entertainment and seem undisturbed by the stream of curious visitors, some of whom stay up all night to catch sightings of shy animals by floodlight. There is even a viewing hide dug below ground with windows level with the waterhole, where elephants face come within inches of your face.

When to visit

The best time to spot most wildlife is on the dry season, the animal is easily spotted on the open plains and near rivers or water holes in search of food and water. In Kenya the dry season is between January-March and July-October, this is the best time to spot wildlife. April, May, and November are considered to be shoulder season with lesser wildlife compared to the high season. Bird’s watching is best in October - December.

Getting there

Aberdare National Park is about 150Km from Nairobi and 15Km from Nyeri town, the park’s main gate is along the Nyeri – Nyahuru road. By air, the nearest airstrip is Mweiga airstrip that is just opposite the park’s main gate.