Aberdare National Park

The Aberdare National Park, with an area of 767 Km2  covers the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges of Central Kenya, from altitude of 1829M to 4001M above sea level.  The topography is quite diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes. Animals easily observed in the park include; the Black Rhino, leopard, African hunting dog, baboon, black and white Colobus monkey and Sykes monkey. Rarer sightings include those of lions, giant forest hog Aberdare Cisticola, the golden cat and the bongo- an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland and spotted and melanistic serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands.

Visitors can also indulge in picnics, walking, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson’s Francolin, sparry hawk, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.

Covering an area of 767 square kilometers, Aberdares National Park is part of the Aberdares mountain ranges; the mountain range slopes on the western side of the the Great Rift Valley, 180 Km away from Nairobi.

Aberdares National Park lies mainly above the tree line running along the 10,000ft contour with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the ‘salient’ area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the 7,000ft contour. Aberdares National Park’s topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfall.

Safari Attractions in Aberdares National Park

All of Africa’s Big Five (Lion, elephant, buffalo, Leopard and Rhino) among other animals and bird species can be seen in Aberdares National Park.

Other attractions in Aberdares National Park include the Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark and Treetops, Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, and walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table Mountain

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Ali Chidanga