Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park
The Aberdares are the third highest mountain range in Kenya. They are around 100 km long from north to south. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999 m) to the north and Kinangop (3,906 m) to the south. The Aberdare National Park, with an area of 767 kmĀ² covers the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges. The park contains a wide range of landscapes – from the mountain peaks that rise to 4,300 m above sea level, to their deep,
v-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and large cascading waterfalls. The main ecosystems within the mountain range are rainforest giving way to dense bamboo forests and then moorland. Through the treetops, a spectacular view of the Rift Valley and the summit of Mt Kenya show itself. The steep western edges of the hillside are sparsely inhabited by wildlife compared to the forested gentle slopes to the east, which are home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Herds of forest elephants and buffalo move almost silently through the undergrowth, while overhead loud chirping birds, Colobus monkeys, and Sykes monkeys dominate the canopy. Other animals that are relatively easily observed include the lion, leopard, and giant forest hog, which is almost twice the size as the normal warthog. Also abundant are waterbuck, reedbuck, duikers, and bushbuck. Rarer sightings include those of the golden cat and the bongo, an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland and serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. The Aberdare National Park also contains a large population of the black rhino. The crystal clear mountain streams are teeming with trout. And even the bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park.
The National Park can be explored with our safari jeeps or on foot. The forests and moorlands have great hiking trails. A safari to the Aberdares National Park is part of the Rhino Watch standard program. The drive to the entrance of the park takes approximately 30 minutes. We will spend a full day in the park. At lunchtime, we will enjoy a picnic at 3,500 m altitude surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of waterfalls and forest and the sound of screaming monkeys in the treetops.