THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BREATHTAKING ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Nature lovers will agree with me. Once you embark into the world of hiking, exploring, and discovering the beautiful sceneries Kenya has to offer, there is no going back. You have not explored enough until you give Aberdare National Park a try.
Aberdare National Park is found in Aberdare Ranges, which is in Rware, Ndaragwa Nyandarua county, central Kenya. It is in the East of the East African Rift Valley. It was established in 1950, to protect the slopes and the indigenous plants and animals in the forest.
It is famous for wildlife among them being the Big five, birds, the breathtaking waterfalls and the indigenous forest cover, with small mountains and hills.
The ranges carry a very vital Kikuyu cultural background. The Kikuyu relate with the ranges in connection with Mount Kenya as the dwelling of their God. There is a river that runs through the forest, River Magura, which they consider an alternative place of ‘Ngai’or God’s main residence after Mount Kenya. It was named Aberdare Range in 1884 by Scottish Explorer Joseph Thompson.
The forest is protected and managed by Kenya Wildlife Services. Its breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful sceneries of the hills and the escarpments, wildlife, and activities are something you cannot afford to miss.
LOCATION AND HOW GET TO ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
From Nairobi, one can take the Nairobii-Nakuru highway and branch off at Flyover; before getting to Flyover, your visit will start on the way. Being a first-timer, I could not help but start enjoying the beautiful sceneries as far as the Rift Valley viewpoint. This is a place you just cannot resist. It is located on Nakuru Highway, near Limuru, proceeding to the flyover.
Proceeding to the flyover, you will branch left at Njabini Town, where one can see the view of the Elephant Hills from the road. Then, through Engineer town, Ndunyu Njeru, get onto a tarmacked road to proceed to Aberdare National Park Mutubio West Gate. This gate can be used by someone coming from Naivasha.
From Nairobi, using the Nyeri and Naro Moruon route, one can get in through Treetop, Wandera, Ark, Kiandorongo, and Ruhuruina gate, from Nyeri.
With the different gates of entry and different routes, the exact distance from Nairobi city may vary.
From Nakuru via Nyeri-Nyahururu Road, it takes approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes using a private vehicle without traffic. Which is approximately 187.4 kilometers. From Nakuru via Ndunyu Njeru Road it is approximately 153.4 kilometers.
The Park has two airstrips, Mweiga and Nanyuki, which are in Aberdare Park Kenya. For this means of transport, one will need to get a pilot familiar with the area and the rules and regulations of the same. Wilson Airport is one of the advisable air transport destinations.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE OF ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Nyandarua County and the surrounding area are characterized by very cold seasons almost throughout the year. For this reason, the climate here is cool and misty. For me, the weather was cold, especially when you take the road to the park itself.
The forest cover, vegetation cover, and the hills and mountains make the place even colder. Everyone using the Mutubio gate through Ndunyu Njeru can confirm this, it’s cold and foggy in the morning.
The area tends to receive rain throughout the year, even the seasons that are regarded as dry seasons. The dry season period is from June -July, and sometimes it can extend to September; the afternoon temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius. The nights and mornings are very cold. It is a dry season, it rains anytime.
August- September, the rain increases, especially on entering the month of October. I would recommend one to just be prepared while visiting with warm and waterproof clothes. The weather change is just unpredictable.
During the heavy rain season, which happens in the months of April, May, and October, it causes some hindrances, especially to the hikers and also the game viewers. This is because the roads are slippery and muddy. June -September and December- February are a bit dry. The rains are not heavy, therefore hiking is easy.
WILDLIFE IN ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
This was one of the things I anticipated the most in my visit to the park. Being a person who has seen most animals on television or the phone, this was automatically the best part. Aberdare National Park is known for the Big Five animals, which are elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos.
The indigenous trees, shrubs, and bushes make it an ideal place for animals. You won’t miss the primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys and the skyes monkey. This is a must-see. You can’t miss them. There are antelopes, zebras, warthog, bushbucks
You will come across one or two elephants. The big elephant footprints will shock you as I was at the path they follow while migrating. The footprint is as big as a bathing basin, quite big, right?
Aberdare National Park, being a cool, misty area, gives the right conditions for the rainforest, which is normally found in areas that receive heavy rainfall. The spectacular covering of the rainforest will just be a scene on its own, bringing a therapeutical feeling.
There is also the bamboo forest. The thickness of its vegetation is an ideal habitat for wild animals and food. It gives a beautiful view to walk under. The forest also has the moorland, which is an open area with grasses and shrubs. There were birds around this area, antelopes, elephants, white and black colobus monkeys among other animals.
TRAILS AND HIKING ROUTES
There are three main hiking trails: The Elephant Hills, Mount Satima, and Mount Kinangop.
- The Elephant Hill
The trail starts from Njabini Forest Station gate at 8202 feet, which is 2500m above sea level and ends at its summit at 12000 feet (3658m) above sea level. Along this trail, you will pass through the bamboo forest. The trails are slippery and rocky; therefore, they need stamina, fitness, and a good shoe. The summit is always a destination inspired by many.
- Mount Satima
One can get to this trail through kinangop, then through Shamata gate. It is also called Oldoinyo Lesatima. Its surrounding has a Moorland vegetation. It Is the highest peak in the Aberdare ranges and the third highest in Kenya.
Mount Satima can be accessed via two points: Mweiga, which is also Wandare trail, and Rhino and Shamata gates.
It requires physical fitness and experience in hiking. Otherwise, it can be a struggle and fatal for first-timers. Time taken depends on one’s fitness and experience.
- Mount Kinangop
The trail can be accessed through the Mutarakwa forest trail and the Elephant Hills route. It rises to an elevation of 3906 meters (12815feet) above sea level. It is a tough trailbeing the second highest peak in Aberdare Ranges. It is famously regarded as ‘mother kinangop.’
Vegetation found here are cypress and pine trees. As you climb up, it tends to be steep and wet, hence posing a challenge to climb it. It requires fitness and experience in hiking tough trails.
- Other hills are
Chebus and Martini hills
Related: Discover Kereita Forest: Trails, Wildlife, and Waterfalls
CAMPING AT ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Aberdare National Park is very big with diverse activities, its hard to cover all the activities in just a day or two. Therefore, camping there for some days is a great idea to enjoy the full dose of the fun there. There are camping sites inside the forest and outside.
There are a lot of camping sites to choose from, and the camping sites are marked. Here are some of the camping sites to consider.
- Reedbuck camping site
It is located a few kilometers from Kiandongoro Gate. It is a public camping site near the fishing lodge and Sundowner viewpoint. Here, there are benefits like dining areas, toilets, showers,s, and date beaches. Its view is amazing and breathtaking.
- Muringato camping site
It is 5km from Ark Gate and 2.5km from Treetop Gate. It is a special camping site and can hold up to 40 people.
- Bongo camping site
It is 3.5 km from Treetop Gate and 6.8km from Ark Gate. It is a public campsite and can hold up to 40 people.
- Nyati camping site
4km from Treetop gate and 7.6km from Ark gate. It is a special camping site. With a capacity of 40 people.
- Queen Beatrix camping site
It is inside the Aberdare National Park. It is a special camping area, with a capacity of 40 people.
- Kiguru camping site
It is 3km from Ark Gate and 4.5 km from Treetop Gate. It is a special camping area, with a capacity of 40 people.
- Prince Charles camping site
It is a special camping site that requires reservation through Kenya Wildlife. It can hold 40 people
The camping sites are secured and safe. The tour guides guard the camping sites at night; therefore, it is safe. People are encouraged to bring along eco-friendly tents. All the camping has an amazing view, and you can access different activities like game viewing, hiking, and enjoying the view of the beautiful sceneries.
The best time to go camping is during the dry periods or during short rains to have an easy time hiking and game viewing.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK WATERFALLS
Aberdare National Park is packed with breathtaking waterfalls. I could not help but exclaim out loud at the view; it’s just amazing. It’s like the famous Green screen used in social media for a beautiful background, but now this is a real thing.
The first waterfall was Karuru Falls. It stands as one of the tallest falls in Kenya. It displays an amazing pour from its mother nature giving a spectacular view, a memory to hold on forever. Opposite it, after the vast extension of the forest, is the Gura Falls. A narrow fall gives the vibe of one pouring water from a high point, just breathtaking.
From the Kiandongoro gate, one can access the Magura waterfall across the mouth of the Queen’s Cave. Aberdare National Park is just rich with scenic views. The waterfalls are something everyone looks up to see.
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DO
- Game Viewing
They have a full-day game viewing with 3 categories: morning, afternoon, and evening. During the dry people and short rain is the right time to go game viewing for the van to access most areas with ease and also to see most animals.
- Bird Watching
The dense forest and the moorland area habit a lot of birds. I had a lot to learn here than I expected. It happens there are different types of bird species, like Tacazze sunbird, hustler’s cisticola, moorland chat, and crowned eagle, among others. The forest hosts around 250 bird species.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK ACCOMMODATION
There are several accommodation facilities around Aberdare National Park.
The Ark Lodge is 4 star hotel in Mweiga, off Nyeri-Nyahururu Road Nyeri.
Bubble Lodge Kinangop a 3-star hotel Engineer Jabini road
Aberdare prestige and royal cottages along, Nyeri-Nanyuki road Nanyuki.
Aberdare fishing lodge Aberdare forest station.
PRICING AND ENTRY FEE.
Entry Fee At Aberdare National Park
| Adults(KSH) | Children below 18(KSH) | |
| citizens | 300 | 215 |
| residents | 1030 | 515 |
| Non-residents | 52$ | 26$ |
Vehicle fee
| Vehicle capacity | Fee(KSH) |
| Less than 6 seats | 300 |
| 6-12seats | 1030 |
| 13-24seats | 2585 |
| 25-44seats | 4050 |
| 45 seats and above | 5000 |
Camping Fee At Aberdare National Park
| citizens | Special camping (KSH) Â | Public campsite(KSH) |
| adult | 250 | 200 |
| Children or students | 200 | 150 |
| residents | Special camping (KSH) | Public campsite(KSH) |
| adult | 600 | 350 |
| CHILDREN | 350 | 200 |
| Non-residents | Special campsite(USD$) | Public campsite (USD$) |
| ADULT | 35 | 20 |
| CHILDREN | 20 | 15 |
BEST TO VISIT ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
The best to visit is between June and September, which is a dry season; it is sunny with little rainfall. During this period, you will get to see animals like elephants at a close when they come to drink water at the waterhole.
It’s also the best time to hike because it is dry; hence, most places are accessible. Though the hotels around are crowded and the place receives a lot of visitors during that time.
April to May bird watching is excellent, and migratory birds are present.
TIPS TO TRAVEL ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
When planning to go on this visit to Aberdare National Park, one of the most important things will be warm and waterproof clothes. One also needs to do a lot of research to know the best time to visit with the change in weather patterns.
Another important thing is a good shoe with a firm grip and a durable service for the days one plans to be there. There are also other essential things like enough water and enough money to get good accommodation and food.
A visit to Aberdare National Park is something that needs planning. Apart from that, this is an opportunity to create one in a lifetime memory.