Background Information

Aberdare National Park is a high altitude national park created to protect the slopes and moorland of the Aberdare Mountains. 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.

What to see and do

Aberdare National Park offers many activities and tourist attractions, as well as wildlife safaris.See African elephants, lions, rhinos, black leopards and bongo antelopeas well as many other animals native to Kenya.Bird watchingis 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. Climbthe Twin Hills, Elephant Hills and Table Mountains.

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.