SAFARI ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES AT ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
OVERVIEW
Central Kenya's Aberdare National Park is a 767-square-kilometer protected region. This park features deep gorges with streams, rivers, and cascading waterfalls, as well as rich green woods, in contrast to Kenya's other national parks, which are dominated by savannahs.
The park was created in May 1950 to preserve the moors and wooded slopes of the Aberdare mountains, of which it is a part. The third-highest mountain range in the nation is the Aberdare mountains. From 1829 to 4001 meters above sea level, the mountain range rises.
There are two habitats in Aberdare Park. Whereas the Kinangop Plateau is plain with hills, bogs, and mountain streams, the Salient features rainforest and hills with tall waterfalls.
PLANTS AND ANIMALS/FLORA AND FAUNA
Aberdare National Park is home to the majority of endangered species. The rare Bongo, Giant Forest Hog, Wild Dogs, Endemic mole-rat, and mole shrew are all examples of this.
The park is home to sizable populations of baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, sykes monkeys, and black rhinos. Seldom seen in the park are lions, golden cats, and the elusive bongo forest antelope.
The park is also home to elephants, duiker, eland, side-striped jackals, Cape buffalo, bushbuck, waterbuck, and leopard.
BIRDS
Aberdare National Park is home to more than 250 different species of birds. Among these are the endangered Aberdare cisticola, Jackson's spurfowl, Jackson's Francolin, eagles, sunbirds, plovers, goshawks, and sparrow hawks.
Bamboo forests and thick mountain rainforests can be found in Aberdare National Park. Most of the large animals in the park can be found in these forests.
Due to the park's elevation and rainfall, the Aberdare’s boast a wide variety of plants. Aberdare National Park is home to 778 plant and vegetative species, subspecies, and variations.
POINTS OF INTEREST
ANIMALS
Aberdare National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife. The park is home to a variety of creatures, including African elephants, warthogs, bushbucks, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and sykes monkeys.
WATERFALLS
Aberdare is home to magnificent waterfalls and stunning landscapes. The steepest waterfall in Kenya is Gura, which is 300 meters high. Other stunning waterfalls are Karuru, Chaina, and Maraqua Falls.
An exciting adventure that offers a distinctive moorland walking experience is a trip to the Karuru and Chaina waterfalls.
BIRDS
More than 290 bird species can be found in the park, including the regionally endemic Jackson's francolin and the critically endangered Aberdare Cisticola, as well as sparry hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds, and plovers.
THE ABERDARE MOUNTAINS
The Aberdare Mountains are a remote volcanic range spanning 160 kilometres. It forms the easternmost wall of the Great Rift Valley. On average, it is 4,001 meters (13,130 feet) above sea level.
Its two principal peaks are Kinangop (3,906 m) to the south and Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999 m) to the north. A lengthy "saddle" of land above 3,000 meters in elevation separates these summits.
The primary ecosystems of the mountain range include moorland, dense bamboo forests, and rainforest. A wide variety of wildlife can be found in the mild, forested slopes to the east. Elephants, buffalo, hyenas, gigantic forest hogs, and the endangered black rhino and bong are all common.
ACTIVITIES
TREKKING
The rugged and mountainous terrain of Aberdare is perfect for hiking. It is possible to walk across waterfalls, to the summits of the Table Mountains, or to twin or elephant hills.
Exploring delicate plants, insects, amphibians, and small mammals is made possible by hiking and unhurried hikes.
These also offer chances to engage with wildlife and take in the stunning surroundings.
OBSERVING WILDLIFE
In Aberdare National Park, safari game drives offer the chance to witness a range of animal behaviours. It's possible to go on game drives day or night.
This makes it possible to see a variety of wildlife, such as nocturnal creatures, the Big 5, and a few wild cats.
FISHING FOR TROUT
In addition to many other fishing locations across the park, this can be done on a number of rivers, including the Chaina, Karuru, and Guru rivers. Another option is cave fishing, where you can observe a variety of fauna. The most prevalent fish in the park are brown and rainbow trout.
OBSERVING BIRDS
There are many different kinds of birds in the Aberdare Forest. Aberdare National Park is home to more than 250 different species of birds. Among the most prevalent birds are Aberdare cisticola, fish eagles, goshawks, and sunbirds.
RIDING A HORSE
For any romantic or nature enthusiast, riding a horse in a stunning sanctuary full of wildlife is the perfect excursion. The charm of a safari in the country is encapsulated in horseback safaris.
VISIT LOCAL COMMUNITY
Visit a local village The Kikuyu, who reside nearest to the park, consider these mountains to be among the homes of their god (Ngai). Because of the many characteristic folds, the Kikuyu called this place Nyandarua, which means drying hide.
GOLF
The Game Sanctuary is home to this nine-hole golf course. Visitors can rent clubs from the club or bring their own. The Club's golf course is special and amazing because you can tee off among the wildlife that wanders around the course in search of food. Invaluable!
SUNDOWNES
Savour a drink or "dawa" a medicine in Swahili while admiring the stunning views of the Solio Ranch, Mount Kenya, and the Aberdare Ranges from Kamatongu Hill. It's the ideal way to end a day spent in the Game Reserve or after seeing everything the refuge has to offer.
NATURE WALKS
The setting for this is the Aberdare Country Club Game Sanctuary, a 1300-acre region teeming with flora, fauna, and wildlife. On request, drives can also be scheduled for people who require assistance
CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST
With the Aberdare Ranges and Solio Ranch in the background as a backdrop, picture the joy of a lavish Champagne brunch in the Aberdare Game Sanctuary.
Start your day off with some glitter and bubbles by sharing this amazing and thrilling experience! On request or at reception, more information is available.
ACCESSING ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
By Road:
From Nairobi, the Park is roughly 160 kilometres north. It takes roughly three hours to drive from Nairobi.
By Air:
Mweiga Airstrip, located along the Nyeri-Nyahururu route, is the closest airport to the park. The Nanyuki airstrip is also available. The park is 20 kilometres northeast of Nanyuki.
The ideal season for Aberdare National Park visits
January and February, as well as June through September, are the ideal seasons to visit Aberdare. The roads are impassable from March through May, when it rains.
When the park's bird population is at its highest, the wet season is the ideal time to observe birds.
Accommodations in National Park Aberdare
Aberdare National Park has a large number of safari hotels and campgrounds with first-rate amenities. These include budget-friendly, mid-range, and luxury lodging options.