The Aberdares sit 100 km north of Nairobi and climb from 2,000 to 4,000 metres — cool, misty rainforest and moorland very different from the savannah. Famous as the place where Princess Elizabeth became Queen at Treetops Lodge, the park offers outstanding nighttime wildlife viewing.
Location, size, and landscape
Aberdare National Park is a protected area in the Aberdare Mountain Range in central Kenya, east of the East African Rift Valley. It's a high-altitude park covering 766 km², with altitudes from 2,000 m to 4,000 m. The park is located about 100 km north of Nairobi.
Landscapes range from mountain peaks rising to 4,000 m, to deep V-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Moorland, bamboo forests, and rainforests are found at lower altitudes. Scenery is spectacular — mountainous terrain covered in thick tropical forests swathed in mist.
Wildlife highlights
Easily seen: elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs, East African wild dogs, waterbucks, elands, mountain reedbucks, bushbucks, Cape buffalo, duikers, side-striped jackals, suni, olive baboons, Sykes' monkeys, and black-and-white colobus.
Rare sightings include the bongo (an elusive forest antelope that dwells in the bamboo) and the African golden cat. Spotted and melanistic serval cats and elands can also be seen on higher ground in the moorlands.
The park is home to the second-largest herd of black rhinos in Kenya. Bird viewing is spectacular with over 250 species — plovers, eagles, hawks, sunbirds, and goshawks.
Climate and best time to visit
The climate is cool, misty, and wet through the year. Dry season temperatures average 21-23°C by day and around 11°C at night. November-March temperatures typically range 21-25°C by day and 9-11°C at night.
The long dry season (July-October) is the best time to visit — animals gather around the remaining water holes, making them easier to spot. The rainy season (April-May long rains, November-December short rains) has its own rewards: deep-green vegetation, colourful flowers, and calving antelope.
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from The Ark (built like Noah's Ark) to Treetops (a treehouse lodge), plus 8 special campsites, a public moorland campsite, and 3 self-help banda sites. Treetops and The Ark both offer excellent nighttime wildlife viewing.
Notable lodges: The Ark, Aberdare Country Club, Treetops Lodge, Tafaria Castle, Giraffe Ark Game Lodge, Kimakia Tea Cottages, Maverick Camp Rondavels and Homestay, Amboni Lodge.
Access
Multiple gates provide flexible access: Treetops, Ark, Ruhuruina, Wandare, and Kiandongoro for Nyeri visitors; Shamata or Rhino Gate for Nyahururu arrivals; Mutubio Gate for visitors from Naivasha.
Two airstrips located near the Aberdare headquarters at Nyeri and Mweiga support fly-in access from Wilson.
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