Located approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) north of Nairobi, Aberdare National Park is both conveniently reachable and strategically situated. Its proximity to Kenya‘s renowned Rift Valley lakes makes it an ideal addition to an itinerary. Furthermore, it is ideal for itineraries that also includes iconic safari destinations. These include like the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park.
It might be small, but Kenya’s Aberdare National Park provides a vastly different experience than the country’s famous savannah reserves. These include notable reserves like the Masai Mara. Created to protect the Aberdare Mountains of the Central Highlands, it comprises two ecosystems. These ecosystems are unusual to Kenya: a moorland plateau and a swathe of dense rainforest.
Visitors on safari in Aberdare National Park can look forward to experiencing not only breathtaking and unique landscapes but also excellent game viewing opportunities. Aberdare Park has a salient area. This area is particularly known for its rich forested regions.
When is the Best Time to Visit Aberdare National Park?
Generally viewed as a year-round destination, the mountainous setting of the Aberdares means that mist and rain may occur at any time. The best time to visit Aberdare National Park for a safari is during the drier months. These include January and February, and between June and September. Heavy rain can be expected between March and May.
Visitors Experience
Aberdare National Park offers a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in Kenya. The Park is most known for being the location where Princess Elizabeth learned she was Queen after her father passed away at Treetops Lodge.
A buffalo or elephant unexpectedly emerging from the dense rainforest vegetation is half the excitement of game viewing in Aberdare National Park. One of the waterholes near the lodge is a great spot to see the locals. The park features a moorland plateau, numerous stunning waterfalls, deep ravines with icy mountain streams, and several high mountain peaks.
You can go on game drives, hike up the high peaks, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery while exploring Aberdare Park’s varying terrains. As you ascend the park’s mountain peaks, bamboo forest and fascinating alpine vegetation replace the dense rainforest. Populations of forest elephants, buffalo, lions, and various antelope species, including Waterbuck, Duiker, the uncommon Suni, and Bushbuck, can be found in the forest.
The rarest antelope in Kenya, the Bongo, may be visible to you if you’re extremely fortunate. There are also a healthy number of black rhinos in Aberdare National Park. Additionally, there are leopards and servals, some of which have an uncommon black coat.
Black and White Colobus, Sykes, and Vervet Monkeys are just a few of the numerous species of primates.
Accommodation in Aberdare
The Ark Tree Lodge provides a unique vantage point overlooking one of the largest salt-licks and waterholes in the Aberdare Mountains. It offering an unparalleled opportunity to observe diverse forest wildlife found nowhere else in Africa. Designed in the shape of an ark, the lodge features en-suite accommodations. It boasts a floodlit waterhole, allowing guests to enjoy nighttime wildlife viewing.
The Aberdare Country Club is tucked away on a slope of Mweiga Hill. The Aberdare Country Club, a Kenyan heritage property, combines the basic amenities of a country inn with the allure of a private residence. Guests can enjoy activities such as horseback safaris, golfing, nature walks, game drives, and more.
