Aberdares National Park

Aberdares National Park is a high-altitude national park created to protect the slopes and moorland of the Aberdare Mountains. The park is a perfect location for topography enthusiasts and for viewing Kenya's animals and birds.

The topography ranges from high moorland, hills, and peaks to indigenous forest, ravines, streams and waterfalls. Due to its high altitude, the park is very rainy and misty, with roads that become impassable during the wet season. The Kenya Wildlife Service and Rhino Ark, a charity dedicated to the protection of the area and its wildlife, run Aberdare National Park. Aberdare is home to the second-largest herd of endangered black rhinos. Many Kenyan animals can be seen here including African elephants, lions, rhinos, black leopard and the elusive bongo antelope. Two of Kenya's best safari lodges are located in Aberdare National Park - Treetops and The Ark. Both provide excellent game viewing at night over the watering hole. Climatic Conditions Although Aberdare is close to the equator, the altitude governs the climate. It is cooler than the lower plains and coastal areas, and very misty and rainy year-round. The wettest months are during the main rainy season, which lasts from March through May, and the shorter rainy season from October to December. At these times, roads become impassable. Over 1000mm of rain falls annually on the northwestern slopes, and 3000mm on the southeastern side of Aberdare National Park. How to get to Nairobi national Park By Road: Aberdare is 160km (99 miles) from Nairobi. There is a tarmac road from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the eastern side of Aberdare. However, the best access route is from the towns of Nyahururu and Naivasha. Gates are situated at Ruhuruina, Kiandongoro, Ark, Wandare and Treetops, if approaching from Nyeri. From Nyahururu, use the Rhino Gate, Shamata Gate and from Naivasha, use the Mutubio Gate. By Air: There are two good airstrips for chartered aircrafts at Nyeri and Mweiga, next to the Aberdare National Park headquarters. Attractions Aberdare National Park offers many activities and tourist attractions, as well as wildlife safaris. See African elephants, lions, rhinos, black leopards and bongo antelope as well as many other animals native to Kenya. Bird watching is good here, with over 250 species of birds recorded in Aberdare National Park. Trout fishing in the ice-cold Guru Karuru and Chania Rivers is another popular activity. You can also take time to admire Lesatima and Kinangop peaks or walk through the moorland and visit the magnificent waterfalls. Do a nocturnal animal viewing from The Ark or Treetops lodges. In fact, it was while vacationing at the Treetops lodge that Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain learned her father had died, thus making her Queen. Climb the Twin Hills, Elephant Hills and Table Mountains. Accomodation Treetops lodge is actually a tree-house lodge, accessed via a gangway rising to treetop level. The Ark lodge is designed in the shape of Noah's ark and is generally considered to have better views. It offers standard safari lodge accommodation. Both lodges are above ground level overlooking floodlit watering holes and salt licks. There is a bell in each room that is rung if any unusual animal arrives at the watering hole. Nocturnal animal viewing is taken very seriously! Booking in advance to stay in any of these lodges is essential The Outspan Golf and Country Club the nearest hotel to Karura Falls in Aberdare National Park, offers a spectacular view of Mount Kenya.. Best Time to Visit January and February are good months to visit Aberdare, as are June to September. March to May is the heavy rainy season and should be avoided because the roads become impassable. There may also be some access problems from October to December.