Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park Kenya is one of the hallmark Kenyan game park, located in Central Kenya to the East of the East African Rift Valley, covering an area of 767 square kilometers and extending its land across the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain ranges. To the east,it is covered by the Aberdare Saient. Lied at 18,29 meters above sea level ,the park is relatively low in altitude but has been identified as a landscape park. Aberdare National Park is a remarkable safari destination and marks with many tourist attractions to witness during your safari.
In general,the terrain features a wide range of terrain with deep ravines that go along the slopes of the eastern and western forested part of the mountains.More facts,Black Rhinos also exists in the park ,the baboons ,sykes monkeys ,white and black Colobus monkeys and leopard species. The park stuns with bamboo forests which are home to various rare species like lions ,golden cat as well as bongos.Along the verdant slopes of the Aberfdare ranges ,where you can see a very large Mugumo ‘fig’ tree that is very old; by simply looking at it and it has got rich history that is best narrated by the locals in the region.
More so,the park carves out crevices in the trunk of this tree ,the Kenyan Mau Maun freedom fighters used these crevices as an undisclosed post office through which they benefial messages to agents. This fig tree lies in front of the Kimathi Post office which was eventually named after Dedan Kimathi ,the Mau Mau Leader Field Marshall who was the founder of the Mau Mau group. Aberdare National Park is also famous for its old caves that served as hideouts for the freedom fights during the Guerrilla Revolution against the British colonial power.
Other astonishing features to see in the park are Kinangop peak and OI Donyo Lesatima peak ,the moorlands and the thickets of bamboo ,deep ravines,Gura falls,rugged terrains ,Karuru falls ,rivers ,Chania falls ,streams and Magura falls falls that are located within park.
This national park is habitat for variety of animals including the African elephants herds ,the huge forest hog ,the bongo antelopes ,warthogs ,Genet cats ,wild dogs ,eland ,Colombus monkey ,red duiker ,baboon ,Sykes monkeys many more as well as birdlife.As one of the closest communities to the park ,the Kikuyu people believe that these range are places where their gods live. They consider them among their homes.Originally named Nyandarua .However,some of the early colonial settles referred to these ranges as the White Highlands,due to the wide range of European immigrants that sttled back in the 1920s,and this name was adopted by the British during this time period. Kenya Aberdare ranges were renamed in 1884 after the then president of the Royal Geographic Society at time, Lord Aberdare ,an early explore who had explored the area for the first time.
Attractions In Aberdare National Park
Wildlife in Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is a home of wide number of rhinoceros and and other endangered species of wildlife, thus making it one of the most remarkable national parks in Kenya.
This game park is home to wide population of wildlife species such as buffaloes ,elephants ,lions ,bongo antelopes ,bushbucks ,warthogs ,reedbucks ,serval cats ,elands ,black rhinos ,golden cats ,stripe jackal ,leopard,spotted genet ,giant forest hogs ,black and white colobus monkey ,Sykes monkeys and others.
The bamboo forest is home to number of species of antelopes like waterbucks ,duikers ,rare Suni and Bushbucks as well as eland and zebra and range of forest elephants.
In the higher moorlands of the Aberdare ranges harbors number of elephants and servals and the salient area of the park’s corridor along which elephants migrate. The Aberdare National Park is also home to numerous animal species like the giant forest hog and large spotted genet among others.
Birdlife in Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is a truly bird destination for bird enthusiasts ,which can be spotted deep into the rainforest and bamboo forest ,watching the birds. Birds here are best spotted in the months of November ,December ,January ,February ,March and April . Birders are recommended to carry pair of binoculars.
Bird list to see;the Jackson’s francolin ,Crimson wing ,Crowned eagle ,African green pigeon ,Abyssinian ,African thrush ,Crowned hornbill ,Hartlaub’s turaco ,Greater blue-eared starling ,Jackson’s Francolin ,Speckled pigeon ,Lemon Dove ,Dusky Turtle Dove ,Marabou stork ,Yellow-billed Stock ,Long-tailed Cormorant, Great white pelican ,Africa Spoonbill ,Secretary bird ,Black-chestes snake Eagle ,Martial Eagle ,Black kite ,Bar-tailed Trogon ,African Harriet -Hawk ,Rufous -crowned Roller ,Egyptian Goose ,African Black Duck ,Baglafecht weaver,Green -backed Honeyguide ,Mountain Gray Woodpecker ,Lesser Kestrel ,Red-fronted Parrot ,African Black-headed Oriole ,African Paradise-Flyctacher ,Black-collared Apalis ,Yellow -breasted Apalis ,Aberdare Cisticola ,Mountain Yellow -Warbler ,Lesser Striped Swallow among others.
Vegetation Cover in Aberdare National Park
The vegetation of Aberdare National Park stuns with ecosystems of different vegetation types such as Moorland,thick forests ,bamboo forests and rhododendrons.They are home to many animals like rhino elephants ,Giant forest hogs ,Civeet cats ,Duiker ,Leopards ,Antelopes ,Giraffes ,Buffaloes ,hyenas ,Olive baboons and various monkey species.
Other attractions to see Aberdare National Park include; the Aberdare ranges ,waterfalls,cultural sites and historical sites , Fig tree ,the Kikuyu local community.
Best time to visit Aberdare National Park
Despite the fact that Aberdare National Park can be accessible throughout the year though the best time to visit Aberdare National Park is during the peak season which tends to happen from June to September and December to Febraury. It’s time when savana grass is short for clear game viewing.
Wet season ; Usually happends from the month of October to May and March ,April and May.
Where to stay;
Aberdare National Park has got perfect selection of accommodations facilities. They range from Luxury to Midrange accommodation to budget to camping experience;
There is public Campsites in Abardare National Park including Reedbucks ,Shamata ,Wandaris many more.
These include; ThE Ark ,Aberdare Country Club ,Treetops Lodge ,Aberdare cottages ,Fishing Lodge ,Tusk Camp Bands ,Campsites ,Sapper hut many more.
How to get to Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park can be can be reached via different entrance gates ;Treetops gate ,Rhino gate ,Ark gate ,Kiandogoro gate ,Shamata gate ,Mutubio gate ,Ruhuruins and Wanderis gate .
In the central part of Kenya ,Aberdare National Park lies north of Nairobo. It can be accessed by both air and road transport ,located in the middle of the country.
By road
It estimates 2 or 3 hours to travel 160 km from Nairobi to get to the game park by road transportation,
By Air,
Visitors wishing to travel short distance ,can use domestic flights to the park .Through booking schedules or chartered flight from Wilson Aiport ,which lies in the southern part of Nairobi ,to the airstrip at Mweiga and Nayuki. Then connect to the park headquarters by road. The park can be accessed by number of domestic airlines ;Airkenya ,Safarilink among other. They operate to and from the area. The domestic flight can be booked through a trusted Kenya Tour operator ,if you wish to fly into the Aberdeare National Park.
