Aberdare National Park is situated in the Central highlands of Kenya. The park is found north of Nairobi and east of the Rift Valley. The park covers an area of 767 sq km and is located about 154km east of Nairobi, and is easily accessible from Nyeri and Naro Moru.
Aberdare National Park is a diverse broad collection of African ecosystems. In contrast to many national parks, the Park is covered by thick mountain rainforest and bamboo forests. Most of the park’s big game lives in these woodlands. The dense vegetation can sometimes make the sighting of animals a bit more difficult, but all the more exciting when an elephant or buffalo suddenly emerges from the thicket.
The valleys are traversed by streams and rivers and backdropped with the Aberdare Mountain Ranges, a region of stunning and diverse landscape where jagged peaks soar up to 4,000m and deep ravines cut through the forested slopes. The streams and rivers coming out of the mountains into the valley give way to waterfalls. The temperate grasslands neighbour up to bamboo forests as well as rich diverse rainforests. The forested ravines deliver some of the scenic waterfalls. These varied habitats serve as the perfect home of an abundance of varied wildlife Aberdare is a wildlife haven. The predator species travellers can hope to see include leopard, African wild dog, hyena, jackal, and the African golden cat. Some of the other popular species include eland, bushbuck, buffalo, reedbuck, giant forest hog, warthog, and the endangered black rhinoceros. Night time animal viewing is available through the Treetops and The Ark, which have lighted watering holes.
Bird-watching is very good here with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the fan tailed warblers, Jackson’s Francolin, sunbirds and plovers. The birds of prey are of particular interest with African Goshawks, Ayres’ Hawk Eagles, Rufous-breasted Sparrow Hawk and Mountain Buzzards.
The rainforest is a vital water catchment area with attractive streams and rivers supporting a broad range of wildlife.
Attractions
• The beautiful mountain scenery is one of the highlights of a visit to this National Park
• The park has several picturesque waterfalls
• Rare animals – Black Serval, Black Leopard (seldom seen) and the Eastern Bongo (a huge forest Antelope)
• Watching animals come to the waterhole at the famous Ark Lodge
• Trout fishing
• Hiking
Things to do in Aberdare National Park
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