Cool and misty. Year round rains average one thousand (1,000 mm) on the drier northwestern slopes and upto three thousand (3,000 mm) in the southwest.

Majestic, moorlands, peaks and falls

Beautiful wild moorlands, encircling Kenya's third highest mountain range, nestle this misty realm where elephants roam through lichen-hung forests as spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools, cascading into trout-filled streams amidst mossy dells. A haven for anglers, walkers and lovers of solitude. Exhale as you savour the unspoiled glories of the Aberdare range, unwind in some of Kenya's most famous lodges and absorb the breathtaking vistas of Mount Kenya's glittering coronet, sorrounded by the sparkling lakes of the great rift valley.

Peaks and moorland
The 70 km long Aberdare range is a narrow massif streching from north to south with it's southern end just 80 km north of Nairobi. The moorland comprise undulating hills, bogs, clear mountain streams, numerous waterfalls and magnificient views occuring between the highest peaks of the Aberdare mountain range: Oldonyo Lesatima (4,001 m) to the north and II Kinangop (3,906 m) to the south. Other notable peaks are Chebuswa (3,364 m), Table Mountain (3,791 m) , Rurimeria (3,860 m), Maratini (3,698 m) and the Elephant Hill (3,590 m).

Spectacular waterfalls
The park is renowned for it's torrential waterfalls plunging from cloud-shrouded heights to spray-filled ravines. Gura waterfall, which cascades 300 m into an impenetrable ravine, is the most precipitious fall in Kenya while Karura Falls is the longest (273 m), occuring in three steps of 117 m, 26 m, and 130 m. Chania Falls, Maragua Falls and Queens Cave are also popular sites.

Mountain climbing, hiking and walking
You don't have to be a mountaineer to climb Aberdares peaks; most can be conqured by a vigorous high-altitude walk. There are countless panoramic moorlands hikes and shady forest walks to be enjoyed.

Excellent mountain stream fishing
Brown and rainbow trout abound in cool mountain streams and provide excellent angling. A sports fishing license can be obtained at the gates upon entry.

Wildlife
Among the 2,000 elephant that roam the clouded hills and misty glades, are the few remaining habitats of the exclusive rare Bongo antelope and the rare giant forest hog. Black rhinos are also present in the park. Amidst forst and moorlands, large herds of Cape buffalo browse, while the forest depths provide sanctuary for the dainty blue duiker and bushbuck as primate troops of colobus, sykes and the black-faced vervet rustle through the trees and lush stands of bamboo. Sombre olive baboon patrol the forest and grasslands, fearfully avoiding leopards. Other carnivores are the African wild cat , spotted hyena, African civet and the rare golden cat. More often heard than seen are lion which were introduced to the park some yars ago. Also rarely seen are serval cats, with many being melanistic (black) due to their adaptation to this higher altitude. Tumbling mountain steams are home to the African clawless otter, who compete with anglers in pursuit of brown and rainbow trout. Get your car rental in Mombasa from TOMASI Holidays Africa.

Birds
Abundant Aberdare birdlife greets most dawns as a chorus of birdsong pours out of the forests. Over 290 species have been recorded including the Aberdare cisticola that is critically endangered amd the Jackson's francolin which is regionally endemic. Often encountered are the bold silvery-cheeked hornbill with their raucous cry casqued beaks, as well as the sacrlet-winged falsh of the Hartlaubs's turaco. Plentiful birds of prey include augur buzzard, African goshawk, hawk eagle and the magnificient African crown eagle which prey on monkey, francolin and guinea fowls. Within forest glades are the cinammon-chested bee eater and Africa paradise fly catcher while the bamboo glades or higher moorlands are the domain of numerous species.

Plants.
The forest of the Aberdare range are globally renowned for their botanical richness. At varying altitudes are a wealth of flora: from the top while descending, alpine and sub-alpine species such as senecio lobelia, erica helichrysum and tussock grass give way to bamboo and mountain woodlands , mainly junipers podocarpus and nuxia congesta forest on the western and northwestern slopes. Ocotea forest are found in the southeast and mixed podocarpus forest on the east and on Kipipiri. Pockets of hegenia forest also occur in sheltered patches on the rolling moorlands.

Insects
The park shelters more insects than any oher living creature! Common around most forest lodges are large, noisy carpenter bees while both forest and moorlands are exceptionally richj in butterfly such as the striking large swallowtails and the endemic highland forest blue charaxes. Other charaxes species include the forest king charaxes, the white bird charaxes and the black bordered charaxes while the lively little painted ringlets is restricted to the bamboo zone.

Reptiles
The Aberdare forest are home to a large number of snakes, frogs and lizards. Snakes of interest feature the montane egg eater, a slender bird egg lover, the Kenya stripped skaapsteker, a resident of the high grasslands of the Kinangop plateau and the endemic Kenya montane viper, found at high altitude areas of the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya. The broad array of lizards includes the stripped skink, the alpine meadow skink, the variable skink and the grass top skink which can often be seen wrigling through tuossock grass clamps.

Around and about Aberdare National Park
The park is ideally situated for visits to the Rif Valley lakes of Naivasha, Nakuru, Elmenteita, Bogoria and Baringo. Plus, it is within easy reach of Mt. Kenya National park with Hell's Gate National Park and Mt. Longonot National Park just slightly further away.

Where to stay
The ARK. Unique day and night game viewing lodge modelled on Noahs Ark.

Aberdare Country Club. Elegant country house offering luxurious extensive facilities and golf course.

Treetops Lodge. World famous tree house lodge with waterhole and salt overlooks, in Aberdare National park. An impressive Block hotels facility.

Outspan Hotel. Gracious and nearest hotel to teh Aberdares spectacular Karuru Falls. Next to Nyeri Golf club. This Block hotel facility offer swimming, squash, tennis and snooker too.

Self Catering Accommodation
Fishing Lodge. This newly renovated stone lodge is located 2 kms inside the Kiandongoro gate. It comprises two fully equiped units as 3 bedroom cottages that would sleep 7 people each. Booking through the Wraden or KWS HQ in Nairobi.

The Sapper Hut. Located 10 km west of the fishing lodge, this wooden band that sleeps 2 offers basic cooking facilities only. Bedding, linen and equipemnt are required. Booking through the warden or KWS HQ in Nairobi.

Tusk Camp. A sel-contained camp 2 kms from Ruhuruini gate, this site sleeps 4 in 2 double cabins and has a mess hut, kitchen and shower WC.

Public and private campsites.
There are 6 public campsites and 6 "special" private campsites, including Reedbuck Campsite next to Kiandongoro Fishing Lodge. Facilities include communal mess huts with basic stove and BBQ plus dining table and benches, pit latrines and shower huts.

Ruhuruini Campsite. A riverside camp at the Ruhuruini gate with a pit latrine.
Wanderi's Camp. At the Wanderi's gate. No facilities.
Shamata Camp. At Shamata gate. No facilities.

"Special" (private) campsites. Six are available. Pre-booking must be made through the Warden or KWS HQ in Nairobi.

Guide services. To explore the park on foot, the service of a KWS ranger is required due to the potentially dangerous wildlife. As a naturalist and park expert, KWS ranger may be booked in advance through the warden.

What to take with you.
Drinking water, picnic and camping equipment (if you camp overnight) , binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, anti-malarial prophylactics, walking boots and field guides.

How to get there.
The park is 180 kms north of Nairobi. Take A2 out of Nairobi toward Thika to Nyeri. From Nyeri, take the Nyahururu road and follow signs to the gate of your choice. Treetops gate is the most commonly used entry point.

Roads: The salient portion of the park has a good road network but over tough terrain more suitable for 4WD vehicles. The rest of the park is mainly traversed by gravel and dirt roads with 4WD recommended. Especially during the wet season, visitors are adviced to keep to the gravel roads. You can rent your 4x4 WD car in Mombasa from TOMASI Holidays Africa.
Gates: There are 8 entry gates; Ark, Treetops, Ruhuruini, Kiandangoro, Mutubio, Wanderi's, Rhino and Shamata. Please note Rhino and Shamata gates require prior consultation with the Warden or KWS HQ before entry.
By air: 2 airstrips serve the park; one by the KWS Park HQ's at Mweiga and another in Nyeri which is 12 kms from the Mweiga HQ's.