Aberdare National Park lies in the Aberdare mountain ranges, covering 767 square kilometers at an altitude between 2,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level.
The park features mountain ranges, valleys, rivers, moorlands, savannah grasslands, rainforests, bamboo forests, tropical forests, and clear streams. It is home to 250 bird species, 778 plant species, and many types of wildlife, including the African Big Five.
The Aberdare Mountains stretch for about 100 kilometers from Nairobi through the park to Thompson’s Falls, forming part of the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley. The area is known for rare species such as the black leopard and is one of Kenya’s most famous parks.
The park and the mountain range take their name from Lord Aberdare, a former president of the Royal Geographical Society. The Aberdare Mountains are the third-highest range in Kenya, offering excellent opportunities for mountaineering and hiking.
Entry Fees & Tariffs
Park fees vary depending on visitor status.
- Foreign non-resident adults: USD 52
- Foreign non-resident children: USD 26
- Foreign residents and East African residents: Kshs 515 (adults), Kshs 215 (children)
- Non-resident students: USD 26
Foreign residents must show valid documents to access resident rates. Children’s rates apply to visitors between 3 and 18 years old.
Historical Significance of the Aberdare Mountains
The Aberdare mountain ranges were once a refuge for Dedan Kimathi, leader of the Mau Mau uprising, whose fighters used the forest caves to hide from colonial forces.
During World War II, parts of the mountain were bombed during the Burma campaign, but the natural habitat later recovered well.
The park was officially established in 1950. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II was staying at Treetops Hotel when she learned of her father King George VI’s death, becoming Queen while in the park.
The first European to see the Aberdare ranges was Scottish explorer Joseph Thompson, who named the mountains after Lord Aberdare.
The Kikuyu people, who lived along the slopes for centuries, call the mountain “Nyandarua,” meaning drying hides, because of its shape. They believe their god, Ngai, resides there.
In the 1920s, parts of the Aberdare region were called the “White Highlands,” as European settlers moved in, particularly around the Wanjohi Valley, known as Happy Valley. They also occupied the Kinangop Plateau, later absorbed into the park.
The settlers mainly grew pyrethrum and wheat, and after Kenya gained independence, their farms were subdivided. Some descendants still live in the area.
In 1959, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had a royal lunch here at a site now known as “The Queen’s Cave Pavilion.”
Location & Accessibility
Aberdare National Park is located about 150 kilometers from Nairobi and 25 kilometers from Nyeri town, in Nyeri and Nyandarua counties of central Kenya. It is also 87 kilometers from Naivasha.
The park headquarters are only 15 kilometers from Nyeri.
Visitors can access the park by road from Nairobi or by air through Mweiga and Nyeri airstrips, both served by scheduled flights from Nairobi.
Animals & Wildlife in Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Kenya.
Common animals include elephants, leopards, black rhinos, warthogs, bushbucks, African wildcats, blue duikers, olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, serval cats, golden cats, bongos, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, African civet cats, defassa waterbucks, and duikers, among others.
Top Activities & Things to Do in Aberdare National Park
Game Drives
Game drives are the most popular activity in Aberdare National Park. The best times are early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active and nocturnal species can be spotted returning to their dens.
Bird Watching
Aberdare National Park is home to over 250 recorded bird species.
Birds found here include African thrush, Hartlaub’s turaco, Ayres hawk-eagle, Augur buzzard, golden-winged sunbird, montane white-eye, crowned eagle, Jackson’s francolin, hunter’s cisticola, moorland chat, Aberdare cisticola, Abyssinian crimson wing, African goshawk, African paradise flycatcher, African green pigeon, bronzy sunbird, bar-tailed trogon, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Doherty’s bush shrike, Montagu’s harrier, narina trogon, rufous-chested sparrowhawk, silvery-cheeked hornbill, Taccaze sunbird, white-headed wood hoopoe, and tambourine dove.
Hiking
The Aberdare Mountains provide great hiking opportunities, with several established trails suitable for different levels of experience.
Trout Fishing
Fishing is a unique experience in Aberdare. Visitors can hire fishing gear from Aberdare Fishing Lodge and fish in rivers and open glades. The best spots include River Gura, River Chania, and Amboni River.
A fishing permit from park authorities is required before you begin.
What to See – Must-See Attractions in Aberdare National Park
Below are the top attractions and things to see in Aberdare National Park:
Aberdare Mountains
The Aberdare Mountains, known locally as Nyandarua, offer excellent opportunities for hiking and mountain climbing.
The highest peak is Mount Satima, standing at 4,000 meters above sea level. Other notable peaks include Mount Kinangop (3,906 meters), Chebuswa (3,364 meters), Table Mountain (3,791 meters), and Elephant Hill (3,590 meters).
Each peak offers amazing views and supports a wide variety of wildlife and bird species.
Waterfalls
The Aberdare mountain ranges are famous for their many waterfalls, the most popular being Karuru Waterfalls, which cascades in three stages.
The first drop is 117 meters, the second is 26 meters, and the third falls 130 meters. Hiking to all three waterfalls gives visitors a rewarding and refreshing experience.
Other notable waterfalls include Magura Waterfalls and Gura Waterfalls.
Each waterfall has its own unique charm and provides a peaceful spot for a picnic or photography.
Beautiful Scenery
Aberdare National Park offers some of the most beautiful scenic views in Kenya, overlooking parts of the Great Rift Valley.
It is a perfect place for nature photography and sightseeing.
Rare Animal Species
The park is home to rare animals that are not commonly seen in other parts of Kenya, such as the black leopard and the bongo antelope.
Visitors may also encounter elephants, buffalos, bushbucks, and colobus monkeys while exploring the park.
Mugumo Fig Tree
The famous Mugumo fig tree found within Aberdare National Park is a sacred and ancient tree highly respected by the Kikuyu people.
It served religious, cultural, and medicinal purposes and was believed to be a meeting point between the Kikuyu people and their god, Ngai.
During the Mau Mau rebellion, fighters against British colonial rule used the Mugumo tree as a secret post office and meeting place. They carved gaps in the tree’s trunk to exchange letters and messages safely while hiding in the mountains.
The tree became known as the “Kimathi Post Office,” named after the Mau Mau leader Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi.
It played an important role in helping the fighters communicate, though some secrets were later exposed when captured rebels were forced to reveal their hiding places.
Best Time to Visit Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is during the dry seasons from June to August and December to February.
During these months, animals gather near permanent water sources, and the vegetation is thinner, making it easier to see wildlife.
For birdwatchers, the best time to visit is between November and April, when migratory birds from North Africa and Europe arrive in the park.
Accommodation Options in Aberdare National Park
There are several places to stay while visiting Aberdare National Park, ranging from lodges to campsites.
Some popular options include: Treetops Hotel, The Ark, Aberdare Country Club, Fishing Lodge, Aberdare Cottages, Sapper Hat, and Tusk Camp Banda.
These accommodations offer a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature, making them ideal for relaxing after a day of adventure.
