Just 150 kilometers separate the central Kenyan city of Aberdare from Nairobi, the country’s capital. The park is located in the Eastern portion of the East African Great Rift Valley, in the center of the Aberdare mountain ranges. The park may be found in the highest reaches of the Aberdare Salient. The park is located between 2,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level. The Aberdare Mountain ranges are a portion of the 767 square kilometer Aberdare National Park, which was created in 1950. This is one among the Kenya National Parks that draws a sizable number of people on Kenya Tours.
The isolated volcanic mountains known as the Aberdare rocks are located on the eastern side of the enormous rift valley, which spans around 100 kilometers from Nairobi to Thompson’s Falls. The park is located in a cold, high mountainous region with stunning views of bamboo forests and rainforests at the base of the mountains on one side and savannahs interspersed with acacia trees on the other. The park has a distinct climate that is colder than any other area of Kenya because of its high altitude.
The African Big 5 are among the attractions in the park, where it is also possible to see rare black leopards. Additional members of the Big 5 include sizable herds of Elephants, Lions, Buffalos, and rare, difficult-to-sport black Rhinos. This context explains why the park is not regarded as a suitable location for the African Big 5 sighting. The waterfalls in the park, where visitors go for sightseeing and adventure, also play a significant role as a major attraction.
Aberdare National Park attractions
Many unusual attractions can be discovered inside the valley-lying park of Aberdare National Park. The park’s diverse collection of species and the most beautiful waterfalls are only a few of the attractions. Acacia trees dot the open savannah environment, which is interspersed with bamboo forests in the park’s mountain ranges.
The park’s attractions include the following:
Wildlife/ animals:
The Aberdare National Park is a gift from nature and one of the few places in Africa, not just in Kenya, where visitors may see all five of the continent’s big cats in one location. In comparison to larger parks like Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, the size of the park is tiny. Despite the park’s modest size, a variety of species call it home, including Lions, Black Leopards, Black Rhinos, Elephants, and Buffalo. Additional games include African wild cat, Giant Forest Hog, Golden cat, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Hyena, Monkey, Bongo, and Zebras.
Karuru waterfalls:
The heart of the Aberdare highlands is home to the three-step Karuru Falls. The falls are more impressive with the first step measuring 117 meters, the second step at 26 meters, and the longest step being 130 meters. The Chania waterfalls and several more minor falls are among the park’s other waterfalls.
Aberdare mountain ranges:
These are not difficult to trek but offer highly picturesque and distinctive views in the park. The walls that make up the high ranges in the park combine with these ranges and other rift valley characteristics.
Birds: The Aberdare National Park is home to over 290 different bird species that have been identified. This is due to the many plant zones present in the area. The birds include both types of open savannah birds and woodland bird species.
Forests:
Researchers as well as recreational travelers are drawn to the park’s bamboo and rainforests since they are both home to many forest tree species.
Activities to do in Aberdare national park
The wilderness experience that one has while on one of these Kenya trips to Aberdare is the most thrilling and well-liked of the local parks in Kenya. Princess Elizabeth learned that her father had passed away and that she had become the new princess when she was inside the lodge in the treetops at the park.
Game viewing:
The Aberdare National Park will never let you down since you can see the entire African Big 5. Hyenas, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalo, Monkeys, and many more animals live permanently in the park. Game drives are most enjoyable early in the day when the wildlife is most active and enjoying the cool air. The animals come out in the afternoon, especially in the late afternoon and evening, especially the timid creatures like leopards, rhinos, and others to finish their day’s meal.
Birding:
Birding at Aberdare National Park is more rewarding and enjoyable because it has over 290 different bird species. Because of the uncommon bird species that may be found there, birders favor visiting this area. It is certain that when on our travels through the bamboo and rain forests, we come with various forest creatures like forest hogs, forest elephants, duiker, waterbuck, and others while searching for birds in the forest. The sparry hawk, eagles, plovers, sunbirds, goshawks, francolin, Cisticola, and other familiar bird species are among them.
Visiting the waterfalls:
The three-step Kiruru waterfalls and other minor waterfalls in the park may also be visited. The park offers a number of wonderful beautiful vistas.
Best time for game viewing at Aberdare national park
The Aberdare national park in Kenya, which is surrounded by mountains and thick bamboo forests, is a popular destination for tourists throughout the year. Although they can be considered to some extent, the climatic conditions of the year have minimal bearing on the regular activities that take place in the park.
The dry season is the greatest time to visit since it allows for easy viewing of both the park’s water catchment regions and wildlife. Planning and timing are crucial if you want to get the most out of your visit to the Aberdare National Park’s animals or if you want to combine it with visits to other neighboring parks like Lake Nakuru and Naivasha.