Attractions at the Aberdares
National reserve include;
- Game to view includes Bongo, Leopard, Elephant
- Second largest population of indigenous Black
Rhino
- Diverse eco-system - rainforest, waterfalls,
table mountains
- Night game viewing at the Ark & Treetops Lodges
- Dedan Kimathi Hideout - used by legendary
Mau-Mau General
- Trout fishing, Moorland walks
The Aberdares National Park is part of the Aberdares
Mountain Range, a fascinating region of Kenya. According
to traditional Kikuyu folklore they are one of the homes
of Ngai (God).
Mountain ranges and peaks soar to around 14,000 ft.
giving way to deep V-shaped valleys with streams and
rivers cascading over spectacular waterfalls - this area
is a must for landscape lovers. From its vital catchment
area the Aberdare Rainforest feeds the entire local and
Nairobi water supply. Above the forest is a belt of
bamboo, a favourite haunt of the Bongo, a rare and
elusive forest antelope. At 10,000 ft. the bamboo gives
way to moorland, home to the eland, spotted and
melanistic serval cats. Other features are the giant
varieties of lobelia, groundsel and heather. Ideal for
walking, picnics, camping and trout fishing in the
rivers, the moorlands are reminiscent of the European
Highlands.
Animals abound in the forest: elephant, buffalo,
giant forest hog and Kenya's indigenous endangered Black
Rhino. The entire forest is being fenced to protect
settlement farmers from animal raids and to create a
rhino and forest sanctuary. The Rhino Ark Trust
organises fundraising events to raise the money to build
this fence.
Gameviewing is very rewarding: lion. leopard, baboon,
Black and White Colobus and Sykes monkeys are abundant.
Rare sightings have also been made of the Golden Cat.
Bird viewing is incredible with over 250 species
recorded, including Jackson's Francolin, sparrow hawk,
African goshawk, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
There is a variety of accommodation. Treetops
tree-house lodge and the Ark, a lodge built in the shape
of Noah's Ark provide night game-viewing in the Salient
area of the Park with excellent sightings of elephant,
buffalo, lion and rhino, drawn to the waterholes and
saltlicks each evening.
Overall within the Aberdare National Park, there are
two lodges, three self-help banda sites, eight special
campsites (requiring advance booking) and one public
campsite (moorland). There are five picnic sites.
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