Aberdare National Park
located in Kenya’s central highlands, is a unique destination offering a cool, forested landscape with diverse wildlife, including elephants, black rhinos, leopards, and over 250 bird species, along with stunning scenery of mountains, valleys, and waterfalls
Overview an ex
Aberdare National park has a variety of habitats that are host to a variety of animals that include the African elephant herds, the huge forest hog, leopards, buffaloes, reed bucks, the black rhinoceros, hyenas, the bongo antelope, the warthog, the Genet cats, wild dogs, the elands, the Columbus monkey, the red duiker, the baboon, the Sykes monkey, among others, as well as a profusion of birds that live in this region. As one of the closest communities to the park, the Kikuyu people believe that these ranges are some of the places that their gods live, and they consider them among their homes. Originally named Nyandarua (which means drying hide in the native tongue), this area was named by the natives because of the numerous distinctive folds that can be found here. However, some of the early colonial settlers referred to these ranges as the White Highlands, due to the large number of European immigrants that settled here back in the 1920s, and this name was adopted by the British during this time period. These Kenya Aberdare ranges were renamed in 1884 after the then president of the Royal Geographic Society at the time, Lord Aberdare, an early explorer who had explored the area for the first time.ri
Things to do in Aberdare
Aberdare Mountain Range: The park is situated within this isolated volcanic range, forming the easternmost wall of the Great Rift Valley. Hiking & Nature: The park is known for its hiking trails, including those leading to waterfalls like Karuru Falls, Chania Falls, and Gura Falls. Wildlife: The park is home to various wildlife species, including antelopes, monkeys, and birds. Aberdare Country Club: This offers activities like safari drives, nature walks, bird watching, and even golf, with stunning views of the Aberdare Mountains. Solio Game Ranch: Known for its rhino population, this ranch is a popular destination within the park for game drives. Other activities: Other activities include chimpanzee trekking, sundowners, bush culinary experiences, and champagne breakfasts. Waterfalls: Karuru, Chania, and Gura are some of the most impressive waterfalls in the park, accessible via hiking trails. Queen’s Cave: The park also features the Queen’s Cave, where Magura falls cascade across the yawning mouth.
Places to stay in Aberdare National Park.
There aren’t many accommodations in Aberdare National Park, but those that are available are all mid-range and standard options with plenty of guest rooms to accommodate both large groups of visitors and individual park visitors. These accommodations range from luxury accommodations, which come with a high level of exclusivity and opulence, to mid-range accommodations for Kenya safari travellers who want a good balance between price and quality as well as standard/budget options.
