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Location
Aberdare National Park is located in central Kenya’s Rift Valley, approximately 95 miles from Nairobi, with the nearest town, Nyeri, situated 9 miles away.
Size
Aberdare National Park is approximately 296 square miles in size.
History
Initially established to protect the Aberdare Mountain Range, originally founded by Scottish explorer Joseph Thomson in 1884. The Aberdare National Park was officially established in 1950 and named after Lord Aberdare. Its most famous visitor is Queen Elizabeth II, who found out about her father’s passing while staying in the reserve in 1952.
Entrance Fees & Permits
The entrance fee to Aberdare National Park is USD 52 per adult per day and USD 26 per child under 12 years old, per day.
Hours of Operation
The gates of the Aberdare National Park are open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm.
By Road
Visitors will travel 96 miles north from Nairobi via the A104 and Kirima-Murungaru roads. The journey will take approximately three and a half hours.
By Air
Visitors can fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Nanyuki Airstrip and then take a 90-minute transfer to Aberdare National Park.
Weather & Climate
The higher altitude at Aberdare National Park means the climate is generally cooler than other parks in Kenya, with mist known to roll in over the mountain ranges. Average temperatures range between 59 degrees Fahrenheit in the dry, winter months to around 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the late summer months. The short rains fall between October and the end of March, while the longer rains will arrive in March and continue until mid-May.
Avoiding Crowds
To avoid many vehicles traversing Aberdare National Park and assure accommodation options, visitors should consider visiting the park outside the peak winter months of June to early September.
Value for Money
Accommodation in Aberdare National Park is moderately priced and set in an amazing location with abundant wildlife. Proximity to Nairobi makes it an overall value-for-money safari experience.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Aberdare NationalPark
There have been over 290 species of birds recorded in the Aberdare National Park with the occasional sightings of the rare giant forest hog and the unique Bongo. The park is home to the Big Five so visitors will have a chance to spot their favorites including elephants, buffalo and lions. Plains game such as bushbuck, giraffe and the cute blue duiker can also be seen on a safari in the park.
The Terrain
The terrain of Aberdare National Park consists of the Aberdare mountain range that forms part of the Great Rift Valley, with sheer drops on the western side and gentle, sloping hills along the east. Dramatic waterfalls, forested valleys and moorlands make up the picturesque topography of Aberdare National Park.
Game Drives
Early morning and late afternoon game drives are conducted in enclosed 4×4 safari vehicles, usually lasting around three hours each time. Qualified guides will show guests the beauty and bounty of Aberdare National Park, drives conducted at the ideal time for wildlife spotting.
Guided Walking Safaris
Park rangers will guide guests through the Aberdare National Park on safari walks
Accommodation in the Aberdare National Park ranges from classic African, four-star lodge establishments to more modest accommodation options. There is no top luxury accommodation in the park.
Aberdare National Park Lodging – Distance from park entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| The Ark Lodge | Located within the Park, 6 miles from the Wandare Gate |
| Rhino Watch Safari Lodge | Located within the Park, 8.6 miles from the Wandare Gate |
Dragon’s Teeth
Rock climbers can visit Dragon’s Teeth, a jagged rock formation located near Aberdare
National Park, which offers spectacular views.
7 Ponds
This is a hiking trail in the Aberdare National Park named after the permanent ponds that have been collected at the summit of the Aberdare Range
Visitors will enjoy the dry, cool season between June and the end of August. Game viewing is at its best during this time and the mild days are pleasant.
Pricing ranges from USD 80 per person sharing to USD 300 per person sharing per night. The higher price ranges will include game activities in the park.
The drive from Nairobi along the A104 will take approximately three and a half hours. Another option for visitors is to take a short flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki airstrip, then a 90-minute drive to Aberdare.
Aberdare National Park is home to a variety of rare species such as the bongo and the giant forest hog. Plus, it gained fame as being the location in which Queen Elizabeth II found out she was to be Queen of England in 1952.
Aberdare National Park is home to the ‘Big Five’, namely elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, as well as plains game such as waterbuck, giraffe, blue duiker and rare animals such as the giant forest hog and bongo. Visitors should look out for signs of the East African wild dog.
The park’s gates are open between 6.30 am and 6.30 pm daily
It is advisable to book your safari stay ahead of time. The Aberdare National Park
is a popular destination with limited accommodation options, so booking early is
key.
Experienced guides will take guests around Aberdare National Park in enclosed 4×4 game drive vehicles, with the drives mostly taking place in the early morning or late afternoon. Guided walks can be arranged too.
The most popular accommodation options at Aberdare National Park include
The Treetops Lodge & Estate, The Ark and Aberdare Country Club are located outside the
park.
There are no specific or stand-alone restaurants located in or near Aberdare National Park, however, guests can enjoy a meal at the lodge they are staying in or at the Aberdare Country Club.
Active visitors may wish to tackle Dragon’s Teeth, a rock-climbing destination offering amazing views. Hikers can admire the permanent water pools at the summit of the 7 Ponds hiking trail on the Aberdare Mountain Range.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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