Main attractions:
The Aberdare NP is a beautiful area with a diverse range of activities possible. The main attractions of the Aberdare NP are:
- Excellent hiking, from day hikes to multi-day hikes
- Great safari drives in a forest environment
- World-class fly-fishing
- Chance of seeing an elusive bongo in the wild
- Floodlit waterholes for nighttime animal viewing directly from your lodge
- Spectacular waterfalls
- Amazing landscapes
The best hike
Kenya’s third highest mountain, Mount Satima at 4001m, is located in the northern end of the Aberdare NP. It is an amazing hike across African moorlands to reach the top of Mount Satima.
There are many other hiking opportunities, ranging from a short walk to a beautiful waterfall to longer day hikes and even overnight and multi-day hiking opportunities. Make sure you book a ranger for your walks and be fully self-contained for the longer hikes as there are no facilities on the hiking trails.
All hiking is done in the western side of the national park.
Safari drives
The Salient area is mostly used for the classic safari drives. The forest makes it difficult to spot animals, but you have a good chance to see the giant forest hog, elephants, the acrobatic Colobus monkeys with their flowing black and white coat assisting them to fly between the tall trees, buffalos, bushbuck, waterbuck, hyena or even leopard if you are lucky.
Fly-fishing
You can drive around the highlands area, continuing the safari from the Salient, but this area is also popular with hikers and fishermen. Fishermen will need to arrange a permit to fly-fish in the trout-filled streams of the Aberdare NP.
Spot a bongo in the wild
The elusive bongo, a rare mountain antelope, is rarely seen nowadays, but the Aberdares in one of the few remaining spots where you can spot one in the wild. A great place to get lucky, are the excellent floodlit waterholes at both lodges in the Aberdare NP (The Ark and Treetops).
Floodlit waterholes for nighttime animal viewing
Both lodges in the Aberdare NP (The Ark and Treetops) have floodlit waterholes for evening viewing. You can view the animals at the waterhole from several areas, but there is also a hide so you are level with the animals. Both hotels also have a bell system where you can choose to be woken up with a bell if an interesting animal arrives at the waterhole. What do you choose, an uninterrupted night’s rest or a chance to see a bongo or leopard come in for a drink?
Spectacular waterfalls
The Aberdare NP is blessed with numerous waterfalls and lots of streams. Quite a few of them on the western side of the park offer the option of a short or long hike to get close to them.
Amazing landscapes
The variety of landscapes in the Aberdare NP is huge. From the moorlands, the forest to the high altitude planes with dramatic rock formations, you can find them all in the Aberdare NP. Some you can see from the comfort of your safari vehicle, but for others you will have to put on some boots and go for a hike first. What are you waiting for?
