WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Overview
The upper regions of the Aberdare Mountain Range in Central Kenya, which reach elevations of up to 4,000 meters above sea level, are included in the 767 km² Aberdare National Park. The scenery, which includes towering peaks, undulating moorlands, and striking waterfalls, is varied and quite different from that of Solio Ranch. In addition to Kenya's native and endangered black rhino, game including leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, red duiker, suni, bushbuck, and gigantic forest hogs find refuge in the marshy glades, water holes, salt licks, and highland forest. There are many of black and white colobus monkeys, and the golden cat has been spotted occasionally.
There is dense woodland on the steep slopes. Tree ferns eventually give way to deep valleys where rivers and streams tumble over breathtaking waterfalls. The elusive and severely endangered mountain bongo, a huge woodland antelope, lives in a belt of bamboo above the forest. Eland, spotted, and melanistic serval cats are among the species that call the 3,000-meter-high moorlands home. Walking, picnics, and fly fishing for trout in the glistening rivers are all made possible by the moorlands.
From the National Park of Aberdare
Aberdare National Park is characterized by open moorland and picturesque, steep forested ravines. Elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, and bushbucks are among the animals that call the park home. The blue duiker, African wild cat, African civet cat, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, and giant forest hog are among the rare animals that have been sighted. on addition to camping on the moorlands, visitors can enjoy picnics and trout fishing in the rivers. With more than 250 kinds of birds in the park, such as the Jackson's Francolin, Sparrow Hawks, Goshawks, Eagles, Sunbirds, and Plovers, bird watching is a pleasant experience.
Climate and Weather
Throughout the year, the climate is chilly, misty, and rainy; during the dry season, the average temperature is between 21 and 23 degrees (70- and 73-degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 11 degrees (52 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. The average temperature ranges from 9 degrees (48 degrees Fahrenheit) to 11 degrees (52 degrees Fahrenheit) at night and from 21 degrees (70 degrees Fahrenheit) to 25 degrees (77 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day from November to March.
Where is it located
The closest town, Nyeri, is 9 miles from Aberdare National Park, which is situated in the central Rift Valley of Kenya, around 95 miles from Nairobi.
Size
The total area of Aberdare National Park is roughly 296 square miles.
The past/ History
Scottish adventurer Joseph Thomson formed it in 1884 with the goal of safeguarding the Aberdare Mountain Range. Named for Lord Aberdare, the Aberdare National Park was formally created in 1950. Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the reserve in 1952 and learned of her father's death, is its most well-known guest.
Permits and Entrance Fees
Adult admission to Aberdare National Park is USD 52 per day, while children under 12 pay USD 26 per day.
Operating Hours
From 6.30 am to 6.30 pm, the Aberdare National Park gates are open.
Why you should visit Aberdare National Park
Despite its tiny size, Kenya's Aberdare National Park offers a very different experience than the Masai Mara and other well-known savannah reserves. It was established to safeguard the Aberdare Mountains in the Central Highlands and consists of two ecosystems that are unique to Kenya: a dense rainforest and a moorland plateau.
As a result, safari guests in Aberdare National Park may anticipate not just one-of-a-kind and breathtaking scenery, but also excellent wildlife watching, especially in the eastern forested sector.
Aberdare National Park is conveniently located approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) north of Nairobi. It is ideally located close to some of Kenya's top Rift Valley lakes and can be incorporated into a safari itinerary that includes well-known safari locations like Amboseli and the Masai Mara.
What kind of animals are in Aberdare National Park?
In Aberdare National Park, common sightings include:
Buffalo Elephant
The rhino
Leopard
White and black Giraffe Colobus monkey
Less common sightings include:
The Lion
The golden cat of Africa
Higher up in the moorlands are a number of cat species and Bongo, a secretive antelope that inhabits the bamboo forests of Eland.
In addition to being home to more than 250 species, including raptors like the African goshawk, rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, Ayres' hawk eagle, and mountain buzzard, Aberdare National Park is a great place to observe birds.
When Is Aberdare National Park the Best Time to Visit?
The Aberdares are often thought of as a year-round getaway, yet because of their steep terrain, mist and rain can happen at any time. The dry months of January and February, as well as June through September, are the ideal times to go on safari in Aberdare National Park. From March to May, there will likely be a lot of rain.
For what reason is Aberdare National Park well-known?
Princess Elizabeth learned that she was to become Queen and that her father, King George VI, had passed away while visiting Aberdare National Park in 1952.
Where are the Aberdare Mountains?
The Aberdare Mountains are a range in central Kenya that makes up part of the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley. The Aberdare Mountains, which are situated just south of the Equator, are 3,350 meters (11,000 feet) high on average.
How many gates does Aberdare National Park Has?
Aberdare National Park may be reached through eight different entry gates: Shamata, Ark, Kiandongoro, Treetops, Ruhuruini, Mutubio, Wanderis, and Rhino.
When to go to Aberdare National Park
The greatest time to visit the park is during the long dry season, which lasts from July to October. The animals congregate around the surviving water holes during the dry season, making them simpler to see. Though it has its own benefits that you should take into account when making travel plans, the rainy season—long rains from April to May and short rains from November to December—is not the best time to visit Aberdare National Park. First, the environment is colored by the stunning hues of the flowers, and the vegetation turns a deep, rich green. Second, you can see the first few hours of Aberdare's newest arrivals during the rainy season, when some animals, particularly mammals like antelopes, give birth.
Accommodation in Aberdare National Park
The Ark, which is modeled after Noah's Ark, Treetops, a tree house lodge, eight private campsites, a public camping in the moorland, and three self-help Banda sites are just a few of the lodging options available to visitors to Aberdare National Park, depending on their preferences and tastes. The Ark and Treetops both offer great animal watching at night. A short selection of some of the park's better lodging options can be seen below;
Aberdare country club
Giraffe Ark game lodges
The Ark lodge
Tafaria Castle
Amboni lodges
Kimakia Tea Cottages
Treetops lodges
Maverick Camp Rondavels and Homestay.