Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is one of Kenya’s most enchanting and dramatic highland destinations—an atmospheric world of mist-covered forests, tumbling waterfalls, moorland plateaus, and unique wildlife found nowhere else in the country. Located in the central highlands, the park forms part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, rising from 2,000m to over 4,000m above sea level, which creates a cool, refreshing climate ideal for nature lovers seeking a serene escape.
Activities
- Game viewing (vehicle safaris or lodge-based viewing)
- Hiking and trekking on forest trails and high moorland
- Waterfall visits including Karuru and Chania Falls
- Bird watching
- Nature photography
- Fishing in icy mountain rivers full of rainbow trout
Unique Wildlife Encounters
Aberdare National Park is home to rare and elusive wildlife species. Unlike the open savannah parks, wildlife viewing here is more adventurous due to the dense forest vegetation. Visitors may spot:
- Forest Elephants
- Black Rhinos – protected within the park
- Bongo Antelope – a rare and strikingly beautiful forest-dwelling species
- Giant Forest Hogs
- Buffalos, Hyenas, and Leopards
- Colobus and Sykes Monkeys
- Over 250 bird species, including the Jackson’s francolin and African green ibis
Night-time viewing from lodges such as The Ark or Treetops Lodge offers an unforgettable spectacle, where animals gather around floodlit waterholes and salt licks.
