Aberdare National Park Kenya
Aberdare National Park Kenya
Aberdare National Park is a 766 km sq.km area consuming a biggest portion of the Aberdare Mountain Range. The park is situated approximately 100km north of Nairobi. Aberdare was declared a national park in 1950. The moorlands of Aberdare national park introduce visitors to the range of topographies with an altitude up to 4300m above sea level, waterfalls, rivers, v-shaped valleys separated by water streams, bamboo forests, and tropical rain forests located on the lower altitudes of the national park.
Aberdare National Park Kenya map
The steep bamboo forested gorges accommodate a range of wildlife such as leopards, huge elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, hyenas, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, Sykes monkeys and so much more. Aberdare is a home to the endangered bongo antelope and over 250 bird species such as goshawks, hawks, sunbirds, plovers, eagles and so much more-Making the park a fine destination with potential to meet visitor satisfaction.
Aberdare national park is a cool wildlife destination with lower altitudes and mist engulfing the areas all year round however nearness the park is to the equator. Aberdare national park is almost impenetrable from march and October and then to December because of the bad and flooded roads.
Brief facts About Aberdare National Park Kenya
Location: Kenya, Nyandarua County & Nyeri County
Nearest city: Nyeri
Coordinates: 0°25′48″S 36°43′57″E
Area: 767 km2 (296 sq mi)
Established: 1950
Governing body: Kenya Wildlife Service
Tourist Activities and Attractions in Aberdare National Park | What to see and do in Aberdare National Park
There are numerous safari attractions and activities in Aberdare national park and they include the following.
Wildlife in Aberdare National park; Aberdare national park is a home to prime wild game such as lions, African elephants, leopards, , black rhino, giraffe, buffalo, stripped jackals, eland, giant forest hog, water buck, bushbuck, duikers, crocodiles among others. The tropical misty rainforests of Aberdare inhabit primates such as Sykes, colobus monkeys, olive baboons, a least to say. The park also inhabits endangered species like the golden cat, wild dogs, serval cats and bongo antelope.
Bird watching in Aberdare National Park; Aberdare national park is home to over 250 species such as sparry hawks, sunbirds, eagles, plovers, goshawks, Aberdare cisticola, peacock, deckens hornbill, and many other birds to impress.
Mountain hiking to the top of Satima peak; For impressive scenery of surrounding mountains like Mount Kenya, and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Naivasha, lake Nakuru, and the Daiga hills can be clearly seen at the top of the Satima peak which is 4001metres above seas level, a peak offering impressive views of most Kenya destinations, and good for photographing. Satima peak takes from 2-3hrs of hiking and this trek is best done in the morning.
Trout fishing; Aberdare national park features river like Guru Karuru and Chanai. These moorland ice-cold rivers enable the famous Strout fishing commonly found in the park.
Other attractions; In Aberdare national park include the elephant hill, featuring many trails of the Twin hills, African elephant, the beautiful Thomson falls and Table Mountains.
Where to stay in Aberdare National Park
The Ark Lodge; The Ark lodge situated in the heart of the park overlooking at the floodlit waterhole and a salt lick, which attracts invites a multitude of wildlife. The Ark lodge is built like the Noah’s Ark, featuring three decks with balconies and lounges that provide impressive views of wildlife.
Fishing Lodge Aberdare; Fishing lodge are cabins located in Aberdare National Park, they offer private shelter for walking safaris, trout fishing, hiking, and chances to explore impressive waterfalls, moorland scenery and many wildlife species such as buffaloes, lions, rhinos, and elephants.
Upper Hut; A private cabin situated deep in the Moorlands of Aberdare national park next to a waterfall.
Other accommodation facilities include camp sites such as;
Honi Campsite, Reedbuck (At The Moorlands), Bill Woodley Campsite, P.C Haji’s Campsite, Bongo (M2), Nyati (M3),Shamata Campsite, Muringato (M1), Kiguru (K1), Kifaru (K2), Prince Charles and Queen Beatrix (M5)
Lodges include;
Serena Mountain lodge, Silent lodge, tickles hotel, the white rhino hotel, Maru gree court hotel, Anka resort, Treetops lodge, Queens park guest house, Legacy gardens Nyeri Goshem farm hotel, and Maya`s guest house.
Accessibility to Aberdare National Park Kenya
How to Get to Aberdare National Park
How to get there
By road: From Nairobi, Aberdare National park is 160kms from Nairobi connecting to Naivasha and another route in the western side, north west of Kinangop.
Nyeri is the main town near the park and it is 154km from Nairobi, Nyahururu town is 188km from Nairobi and roads from these two towns connect to the Rhino gate & Shamata gate respectively. From Naivasha, Aberdare is 78km using Mutubio gate.
By air: Mweiga airstrip is neighboring the park headquarters & Nyeri airstrip is about 12kms to Mweiga headquarters.
- Oldubai campsite is set on the cliff top, south of Fischer`s tower (Nairburta campsite)
- Endchata campsite (across the gorge on the northern cliffs)
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