Aberdares

Aberdares National Park is a protected area located in central Kenya, about 150 kilometers north of Nairobi. The park covers an area of 766 square kilometers and is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, and various species of antelopes. The park is also known for its scenic landscapes, including waterfalls, rivers, and moorlands.

One of the unique features of Aberdares National Park is its high altitude, which ranges from 2,134 meters to 4,300 meters above sea level. The park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, which is an important water catchment area for the surrounding regions. The mountain range has a dense forest cover, and several rivers originate from it, including the Tana and Athi rivers, which are important sources of water for Nairobi and other urban centers in central Kenya.

The park offers a range of activities for visitors, including game drives, bird watching, hiking, and trout fishing. There are several lodges and campsites within the park, as well as picnic sites and viewpoints that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The best time to visit Aberdares National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June to October and from December to March. During the wet season, which runs from April to May and from November to December, some of the roads and trails within the park may become impassable due to heavy rainfall.

A night in the Aberdares is unforgettable. Elephant herds surround the waterholes, drink and then fade way into the forest. Buffalo bulls fight over territory in spectacular battles. Sleek Genet cats descend from the trees and slip through halls of the lodge. the Occasionally a Rhino or the elusive Bongo antelope appear and visit the waterhole.
The Aberdares can also be explored by vehicle, or on foot. There are trekking trails throughout the forests, and across the moorlands. A few days spent here is one of Kenya’s best forest treks.