Explore Aberdare National Park

Why Visit Aberdare National Parks?

Aberdare National Park is nestled in the central highlands of Kenya within the greater Rift Valley region.

 

It lies about 150 kilometers (95 miles) north of Nairobi, with the nearest access town being Nyeri, roughly 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the park. 


The park stretches across Nyandarua and Nyeri counties and is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, making it one of Kenya’s most scenic and elevated wildlife destinations.

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Wildlife and Attractions

Aberdare National Park is renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning natural attractions.  

 

Wildlife:  The park is home to elephants, buffalo, leopards, and black rhinos. Other Mammals such as spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, bushbucks, defassa waterbucks, reedbucks, common elands, serval, bush pigs, dik-diks, and giant forest hogs are also present.

  

Aberdare is known for having the second-largest population of endangered black rhinos in Kenya. 

 

The park is a good place to spot nocturnal animals like leopards and bush babies during night game drives.  

 

Visitors can spot elephants, black rhinos, leopards, and various monkey species, including the black and white colobus. 

 

The park also offers scenic waterfalls like Karuru, Gura, and Magura, along with opportunities for bird watching, mountain climbing, and trout fishing. 

Activities

  • Guided day Game drives with sightings of elephants, buffalos, leopards, bushbucks, and the rare bongo antelope.
  • Night game viewing from elevated lodges like Treetops and The Ark.
  • Waterfall visits including Karuru and Gura Falls—among the tallest in Kenya.
  • Bird watching, with over 250 recorded species.
  • Hiking and nature walks in high-altitude forests and moorland.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Aberdare National Park is during the dry seasons, which are January and February, and from June to September. These periods offer the most rewarding game viewing and are ideal for hiking due to less rain and clearer trails. While Aberdare is considered a year-round destination, its mountainous terrain can experience mist and rain at any time.