Aberdare National Park

“Majestic Peaks, Moorlands and Intriguing Falls”

Alluring and dreamy, the rise and fall of the misty valleys, hills and mountains of the spectacular Aberdare ranges that sit across Nyeri and Nyandarua counties are a sight to behold. Open moorlands and dense forests characterize the vast park coupled with a deep lush of clean crisp air perfect for a break away from life in search of relaxation, peace and tranquility. The picturesque mountainous scenery is one of the highlights of a visit to this wonderland.

The park is renowned for its torrential waterfalls plunging from cloud-shrouded heights to spray-filled ravines. The magnificent Karuru water falls, whose ice cold crystal clear waters drop an impressive 300meters, the spectacular Gura water falls which torrent from the opposite side of the same gorge, the sheer drop of the Chania water falls, and the enchanting Magura water falls which cascade across the yawning mouth of the Queen's Cave.

Other picturesque and unique attractions include; the dragon teeth, which is a volcanic, rock formation assuming the rugged look of a set of teeth sitting on a jaw. They are located in the northern moorlands part of the park, south of the equator.

The twin peaks/towers are also a magical sight in the foggy but spectacular landscapes of the moorlands. The pair of rocks located near each other are outcrops formed because of volcanic formations. Rare wildlife species include–Black rhino, Black Serval, Black Leopard (seldom seen) and the Eastern Bongo (a huge forest Antelope). Also present are elephants, buffalos, giraffes, blue and colobus monkey, leopard, lion, warthog, giant forest hog, bushbuck, red duiker, suni, reedbuck and eland. Lying above the tree line, the scenery is spectacular with its mountainous terrain covered in thick tropical forests swathed in mist.

A belt of bamboo vegetation is a favorite hideout for the rare and elusive forest antelope. At 10,000ft. The bamboo vegetation seamlessly merges with the moorlands, which are reminiscent of the European highlands.

The Treetops Lodge makes the Aberdares predominantly famous in that it is where Princess Elizabeth found out that she was going to be a queen upon the death of her father. Since then, the game lodge has been popular with tourists on safari to Kenya. Game viewing, hiking, bird watching, camping, sport fishing and picnicking are some of the activities that visitors can enjoy while here.

Altitude: 7,000-14,000 FT.
Area: 767sq.km
Location: Nyeri County
Gazettement: 1950
Distance from Nairobi: 180KMS

Protected Area Type

Park Size

767 sq. Km

When to go

All year round
  • Bird watching
  • Camping
  • Game viewing
  • Photography
  • Trekking

How to get there

  • By Road: The Park is readily accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the Eastern side and it’s 180 Kms from Nairobi. A road crosses the park through the lower slopes up to the Moorlands to connect with another one from Naivasha on the western side. Naivasha is 87 Kms from Nairobi. The park HQS is 15 Kms from Nyeri town, along the Nyeri – Nyahururu road.

  • By Air: The nearest airstrip is the Mweiga Airstrip on the opposite side from Park Hqs along Nyeri – Nyahururu road near Sasini Estate Farm.

Attractions

  • Game animals easily seen in the park during game viewing include; African Elephant, black rhino, leopard, spotted hyena, olive baboon, black and white colobus monkey, sykes monkey, cape buffalo, warthog, common zebra (North Aberdare), bushbuck, reedbuck.  Rare sightings include those of Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat, blue duiker.
  • Very beautiful sceneries of Aberdare include magnificent waterfalls with the main ones being Karuru waterfalls which fall in three steps, 1st step 117M, 2nd step 26M and 3rd 130M, making a total of 273M, Chania waterfalls and may other smaller ones.
  • Adding to the beauty of Aberdare are many ridges and river valleys which attract mountain scenery photographers.
  • A recent marked attraction in Aberdare is the 400Kms electric fence which was completed – final post on 28th August, 2009.  The fence protects the whole Aberdare ecosystem  from  human pressures and contains wildlife,  preventing human/wildlife conflict.
  • Visitors can also indulge in picnics, trout fishing (in the past the rivers were stocked with brown rainbow trout) in the rivers and camping in the Moorlands.  Bird viewing is rewarding with about 290 recorded bird species, including the Aberdare Cisticola that is critically endangered and the Jackson’s francolin, which is regionally endemic, sparry hawk, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers

Park Entry Fee

Aberdare National Park

Citizen

Resident

Non-Resident

Adults

KSH

Child

KSH

Adults

KSH

Child

KSH

Adults

USD

Child

USD

300

215

300

215

52

26

* Kindly refer to the Conservation Fees document below for other services and charges.

* Mode of Payment; Pay for your entry to any of our Parks or Reserves via eCitizen government platform. 

* Create a personal account on the eCitizen Government platform by visiting https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke and make park payments in advance for a fast and convenient park entry.

Park Resources

Mobile: 0772-171242 and Hotline 0773789145

Email:aberdaresw@kws.go.ke

Postal Address:

Aberdare National Park,

P.O. Box 22 - 10100,

Nyeri,

Kenya.

Park Gallery