Aberdare National Park Day Tour

ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK DAY TOUR

Our Aberdare National Park Day Tour visits one of Kenya’s prime protected areas; at 765.7 Square Kilometres. This Park runs the expanse of a majestic mountain range on the eastern edge of the Rift Valley. The ranges stretch from Nairobi in the East, to Nyahururu in the West; cutting through several administrative counties. The soil is majorly of red volcanic origin, and very fertile, with many places having huge humus pads. The park has a great stretch of alpine moorland vegetation, mainly above 3,000m. This great landscape has led to the park’s nick-name:- “Majestic Peaks, Moorlands and Intriguing Falls”.

The ranges have two main peaks namely: Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m). Aberdare National Park forms a thick tropical forest, with deep ravines and dissecting riverine gorges. At certain areas, these rivers form majestic waterfalls, which leave a sight to be desired. Karuru Waterfalls are massive and fall in three steps (the 1st step at 117m, 2nd step 26m and 3rd step 130m. In total, it makes 273m). Another interesting one is Chania Waterfalls. There are also several other smaller waterfalls. The ranges encompassing Aberdare National Park are a major water tower in Kenya and form the catchments for Kenya’s two largest rivers- Tana and Athi.

Historically, the area is famous for forming part of the “Happy Valley”. Even better, the Queen of England made more history here, as she entered the Aberdare National Park as a princess and left as the queen- while staying at Treetops Lodge. The legendary Mau Mau leader Dedan Kimathi also had a hideout in the forest. All these attractions are accessible in the park.

Many animals occupy the Aberdare forest including species of mammals such as African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Spotted Hyena, African Civet, African Wild Cat, Serval Cat, African Golden Cat, African Lion, Leopard, Olive Baboon, Mt. Kenya Guereza Monkey, Mt. Kenya Kolb’s Monkey, Plains Zebra, the rare Mountain Bongo, Bush Duiker, Blue Duiker, Waterbuck, Common Eland, Common Bushbuck, Common Warthog and Giant Forest Hog.

Home to some of the best Kenya’s endemic birds, Aberdare National Park promises to be rewarding on each trip, in terms of birdlife. Expected species here include Aberdare Cisticola, Grey Crowned Crane, African Emerald Cuckoo, Montane Oriole, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Golden-winged Sunbird, Crowned Hornbill, Red-fronted Parrot, Jackson’s Francolin and Olive Ibis.

We shall leave Nairobi early and head to Aberdare National Park. We shall enjoy roadstops to view landscapes such as the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Kenya.

In the park, we shall enjoy game drives as we scan the ranges for mammals and beautiful birds. We shall also enjoy some of the picnic sites and viewing points within the park. We shall take time to also enjoy the majestic waterfalls where we can explore on foot.

In the later afternoon, we shall drive back to Nairobi, marking the end to our exciting Aberdare National Park Day Tour.

Highlight mammals and others

African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Bush Duiker, Common Bushbuck, Giant Forest Hog, Mt. Kenya Guereza Colobus Monkey, Spotted Hyena, Common Zebra, Defassa Waterbuck

Highlight birds

Aberdare Cisticola, Grey Crowned Crane, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Golden-winged Sunbird, Crowned Hornbill, Red-fronted Parrot, Jackson’s Francolin

Habitats covered

Wetlands, Highland Rainforest, Bamboo Forest, Alpine Moorlands, Highland Grasslands

Photographic opportunities

Excellent

Special moments

African Big game, Kenya’s beautiful birds, Mt. Kenya views, Aberdare Ranges, Kinangop Plateau views, The Great Rift Valley views

Extensions:-

The Aberdare National Park Day Tour can be extended to allow you spend one or more nights inside the park. This allows you to do more hikes, game drives or other activities of choice.

You may also choose to add more parks and other attractions, to complement your visit to Aberdare National Park. These may include the following listed sites:-