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Aberdare National Park
Open moorlands and dense forests characterize the vast park coupled with a deep lush of clean crisp picturesque mountainous scenery
Introducing Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park promises an experience unlike anywhere else in Kenya. The dense mountain forests of the Aberdares have a rich history, with the caves and forests here a refuge for Mau Mau rebels during colonial times. More recently, the park’s elevated tree hotels allow you to observe wildlife coming to waterholes (or salt licks) in pristine forest habitat without even leaving your room. It’s a remarkably rewarding way to see animals that are otherwise difficult to spot in the dense vegetation.
Experience the Aberdare National Park
Wildlife 
Birdlife
Wildlife at the Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National park has a variety of habitats that are host to a variety of animals that include the African elephant herds, the huge forest hog, leopards, buffaloes, reed bucks, the black rhinoceros, hyenas, the bongo antelope, the warthog, the Genet cats, wild dogs, the elands, the Columbus monkey, the red duiker, the baboon, the Sykes monkey, among others, as well as a profusion of birds that live in this region.
In general, the terrain features a wide variety of terrains with deep ravines that go along the slopes of the eastern and western forested part of the mountains. In addition to the Black Rhinos that are often sighted within this park, there are also baboons, sykes monkeys, white and black Colobus monkeys as well as leopards. The bamboo forests here are home to a number of rare species, including the lion, golden cat, as well as bongos, which are hard to find forest antelopes that live in the bamboo forests. On the verdant slopes of the Aberdare ranges, one can see a very large Mugumo (fig) tree that is very old; by simply looking at it, one can see that this tree has a very rich history that is best narrated by the people living in this region.
Birdlife at the Aberdare National Park
Aberdare national park has over 290 recorded bird species. The common bird species in Aberdare national park is the Hartlaub’s turaco that can be spotted feeding at the tree hotels and other bird species especially the Aberdare Cist cola which can only be found in this park and can be seen on the higher altitude. There are also other beautiful birds which among other include the stunning sunbirds which are so interesting within the park and these include the area scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird that relocates to the mountain summit there are two summits with the Aberdare national park and these include Ol Donyo Lesatima that measure 3999 meters to the north of the park and them the Kinangop which is elevated at 3909 meters to the south.
There are 3 birding regions with the Aberdare national park and these include the Kikuyi escarpment forest that lies on the southern side of the Aberdare forest and with a variety of bird species, there is also the Mukurweini valley that lies in the southeast of the Aberdares that gives you a clear view of the hinders babbler and the last birding areas is called the Kinangop Grasslands that are located Aberdare that is where you can best view the sharper long claw as one of Kenya’s national endemic.
Best time to visit Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is best during the drier months (from June to September and again from December to February). This is particularly so for hikers who want to explore the park extensively. Otherwise, Aberdare offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, especially since it’s possible to see plenty of wildlife from the tree hotels. For everywhere else in the park, heavy rain can be a hindrance, especially in April, May and October.
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