Aberdare National Park

Aberdare National Park

Boasting a large number of elephants as well as black rhinos, Aberdare National Park lures those who want more than just a safari. With dense forests, 300m-high waterfalls and amazing hikes, this park is as much about the flora as it is the fauna. While trekking, keep an eye open for bush pigs, rare black leopards and buffaloes.

Highlights

The higher slopes of the Aberdare Mountains make up the bulk of the relatively small Aberdare National Park, just north of Nairobi in Central Kenya. You’ll find lots of dense forest, deep ravines and accompanying waterfalls. The diverse topography makes it hard to spot the elusive bongo forest antelope, which lives in the bamboo forest, or to find the resident pride of lions. Black rhinos, leopards and other primates such as Sykes’s and black-and-white colobus monkeys are often seen. Strange forest or melanistic (black) cats have also been seen, including both black serval and black leopard.

Open moorlands and dense forests characterize the vast park coupled with a deep lush of clean crisp air perfect for a break away from life in search of relaxation, peace and tranquillity. The picturesque mountainous scenery is one of the highlights of a visit to this wonderland.

The Waterfalls

The park is renowned for its torrential waterfalls plunging from cloud-shrouded heights to spray-filled ravines. The magnificent Karuru waterfalls, whose ice-cold crystal clear waters drop an impressive 300meters, the spectacular Gura waterfalls which torrent from the opposite side of the same gorge, the sheer drop of the Chania waterfalls, and the enchanting Magura waterfalls which cascade across the yawning mouth of the Queen's Cave.

Other picturesque and unique attractions include; the dragon teeth, which is a volcanic, rock formation assuming the rugged look of a set of teeth sitting on a jaw. They are located in the northern moorlands part of the park, south of the equator.

Getting There

Aberdare National Park is located about 150km (93 miles) east of Nairobi and is easily accessible from Nyeri and Naro Moru. The Park is 87 km (54 miles) from Naivasha. Most tourists travel by road with a tour operator.

Airport - There are two airstrips located near the Aberdare Headquarters at Nyeri and Mweiga.