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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.
Best Time
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.
June to September –Dry Season
October to May –Wet Season
Scenery
The cool, green forests of Aberdare National Park are a completely different world to the East African savannahs for which Kenya is famous. These forests provide animal habitat and also envelope the park’s hotels. The dense forests include, at higher altitudes, bamboo forests and Afro-alpine moorland set among steep ridges with splendid waterfalls and river valleys.
Activities
Game drives are possible but require patience if you’re to see the birds and wildlife that inhabit the forest. Take time to allow your eyes to adjust to the dim forest light. You can also hike along forest trails, which is a fantastic way to explore the park.
From: $264 to $663 pp/day
From: June to September and December to February (Driest months)
From: June to October and December to March
From: 765km² / 295mi²
Aberdare National Park is home to all of the Big Five, but this is a little misleading: it is not a typical Big Five destination, and seeing all five species is exceptionally rare. Sightings of elephants and buffalo are almost guaranteed. Black rhinos are sometimes spotted at one of the tree hotels’ floodlit waterholes at night. Lion and leopard (including the melanistic leopard, a black variant) are very rarely seen. Bushbuck and defassa waterbuck are very common.
Wildlife Highlights
The park is a refuge for many interesting forest primates, including the black-and-white colobus monkey and Sykes’ monkey. Nocturnal animals, including giant forest hogs and large-spotted genet, often visit the waterholes at night. The forest is also home to the shy, beautiful bongo antelope, whose numbers are decreasing. The bongo is only present here and in Mt Kenya National Park, where there is a breeding program.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing in the Aberdare’s is good throughout the year, but the driest (and best) months are from June to September and December to February. Heavy rain can occur year-round, but when staying at a tree hotel, the rain shouldn’t interfere with your safari. Elephants and some antelopes disperse to the higher altitudes during the Dry season (June to September).
The altitude in Aberdare National Park varies widely from 1,952m to 3,894m (6,404ft to 12,776ft). Temperatures drop by about 6.5°C for every 1,000m you climb (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft), so even within the park, there are wide climatic variations.
The climate is usually cool and misty. Heavy rain occurs year-round, averaging as much as 3,000mm/118in per annum in the southeast areas. Being close to the equator, temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year. Warm and waterproof clothing is essential.
Dry Season –June to September
Even in the Dry season it still rains a lot. This is the coldest time of year with afternoon temperatures around 15°C/59°F. Nighttime and early mornings are cold, at just a few degrees above freezing. Bring warm and waterproof clothing.
Wet Season –October to May
Although the Wet season runs from October to May, there is a drier period from December to February separating the short rains from the long rains. There are many overcast, cloudy days and it can rain for long periods.
Your entry point to Kenya will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9 mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi.
Aberdare National Park is 160km/100 mi north of Nairobi and around 95km/60 mi southwest of Nanyuki. The drive takes about 2½ to 3 hours* from Nairobi and around 1½ hours* from Nanyuki.
Aberdare is usually visited as part of a 4x4 tour of the country, which includes a driver-guide.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
Charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. There is no commercial airstrip within the park. From Nairobi, flights to the Aberdares leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4 mi south of the city. There are daily scheduled flights to the Nanyuki airstrip (95km/60mi away) with the following airlines:
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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