Reasons to visit Aberdare National Park in Kenya: Aberdare National Park, located in central Kenya, was established in 1950. Located within the Aberdare Mountain Range, this stunning park spans approximately 766 square kilometers. It is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, black and white rhinos, leopards, and various species of antelopes such as the endangered Bongo. The park’s unique ecosystems, featuring dense forest, moorlands, and beautiful waterfalls, provide habitats for over 250 bird species including the African violet and numerous colorful sunbirds. Aberdare National Park offers thrilling opportunities for wildlife viewing and is a vital sanctuary for many endangered species. Below are the top reasons why you should visit Aberdare National Park in Kenya. it is a national park with majestic peaks, moorlands, and beautiful falls.
Game Drives
Wildlife viewing is undoubtedly the highlight of any safari adventure, offering a unique opportunity to witness animals in their natural habitat. Aberdare National Park boasts a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Here you’ll have the chance to see the Big Five, with frequent sightings of elephants and buffalo. Other wildlife found here includes lion, spotted hyenas, warthogs, bushbuck, mount reedbuck, waterbuck, suni, side-striped jackal, elands, and duiker. If you plan your visit during the dry season, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of numerous animals gathering at the waterholes. The park is also the best destination for spotting rarer species, including black leopards and black rhinos.
In addition to these iconic animals, Aberdare National Park is home to diverse forest species, featuring several primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, sykes monkeys, and the nocturnal greater galago. During your game drives, you will have the opportunity to spot these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
Bird Watching
Birdwatching in Aberdare National Park is a rewarding experience, as the park is home to more than 290 bird species. Among the rarer finds are Hartlaub’s turaco, a rare scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, and the Aberdare cisticola, a species unique to the region. Many of these birds inhabit the higher altitudes, particularly around the mountain peaks. During your bird-watching tours, you’ll also have the opportunity to spot other bird species such as the African yellow warbler, African green pigeon, African goshawk, crowned eagle, moorland francolin, olive ibis, silvery checked hornbill, Jackson’s spurfowl, sparrowhawk, African goshawk, African fish eagle, Sunbirds, plovers, hartlaubs turaco, rare scarlet malachite
Breathtaking Scenery
In addition to the thrill of close wildlife encounters, experiencing the stunning landscapes of Aberdare National Park is an adventure in its own right. Imagine vast expanses of forests, woodlands, swamps, and rolling plains adorned with anthills, all offering striking views for your photography tours. Whether you’re walking or driving through the gentle savannah plains, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a picture-perfect African landscape, providing countless opportunities to capture the park’s natural beauty.
Favorable Climate
The Aberdare Range features significant altitude differences, ranging from 1,952 to 3,894 meters (6,404 to 12,776 feet). Within Aberdare National Park, the temperature decreases by approximately 6.5 degrees Celsius for every 1,000 meters (or 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet) of elevation, resulting in diverse climatic conditions throughout the area. Generally, the climate is cool and often surrounded by mist. The southeast region of the park receives up to 3,000 millimeters of rainfall annually, contributing to a consistently heavy rainfall pattern year-round. Given its proximity to the equator, temperature remains fairly stable throughout the year. Therefore, it is crucial to pack warm and waterproof clothing to ensure comfort and dryness during your visit. While it is possible to safari here throughout the year, the drier months of January and February and from June to September are usually the best times to visit, especially when it comes to game viewing. The park is easy to get to and well-located, making it a good addition to your Kenyan safari itinerary.
Space and Privacy
Aberdare National Park offers a unique sense of space and privacy, as it attracts fewer visitors compared to more popular destinations such as Maasai Mara and Amboseli. This tranquil landscape allows you to engage yourself in the wilderness, creating an opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper level. This feeling of being alone in the wild and enjoying all that space is priceless. This scenic landscape offers you the chance to enjoy lunch while spotting elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, warthogs, bushbuck, mount reedbuck, waterbuck, suni, side-striped jackal, elands, duiker, and giant forest hogs as well as colorful bird species in the distance.
Captivating Accommodation Choice of Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is transforming its hospitality landscape, making it an increasingly attractive destination for visitors. Aberdare National Park has a variety of accommodation options to cater to its visitors while on a Kenyan safari in Aberdare National Park. These accommodation facilities range from luxury, midrange, and budget levels such as Aberdare Cottages, Maverick Camp, Aberdare Fishing Lodge, Treetops Lodge, Fishing Lodge, Rondavels, Ark Lodge, and Homestay, and many others.
