Aberdare National Park: Your 2025 Guide to Kenya’s Mist‑Clad Highlands
Hidden in the misty highlands of Central Kenya, Aberdare National Park is a breathtaking wilderness of dense rainforests, plunging waterfalls, and dramatic mountain scenery. This underrated gem is home to some of Kenya’s rarest and most elusive wildlife, including the critically endangered bongo antelope, black rhinos, giant forest hogs, and colobus monkeys. Visitors can also spot elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and over 250 species of birds nestled among the bamboo groves and alpine moorlands. Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or thrill-seeking explorer, Aberdare promises a magical safari experience like no other: peaceful, wild, and steeped in natural beauty. In this guide, Hideaway Safaris covers everything you need to know: entrance fees, where to stay, waterfalls to chase, how to get there from Nairobi, and more.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| County | Nyeri & Nyandarua |
| Size | 767 km² of rainforest, bamboo & moorland |
| Altitude | 2 000 – 4 000 m |
| Flagship Falls | Karuru (273 m), Gura (302 m) |
| Nearest Town | Nyeri (park HQ 15 km away) |
Aberdare National Park Entrance Fee (2025)
| Visitor Category | High Season (Jul – Mar) | Low Season (Apr – Jun) |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyan Citizen / EA Resident – Adult | KES 500 | KES 300 |
| Kenyan Citizen / EA Resident – Child/Student | KES 250 | KES 250 |
| Rest of Africa – Adult / Child | US $30 / 20 | US $18 / 10 |
| International – Adult / Child | US $60 / 35 | US $35 / 20 |
(All fees payable to Kenya Wildlife Service; vehicles & special activities charged separately.)
Getting There: Nairobi ➜ Aberdare National Park
| Mode | Distance & Time | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self‑drive / Hideaway Safaris 4×4 | 150 – 180 km; 3–4 hrs | A2 (Thika Rd) → Nyeri; or A104 to Naivasha then Ol Kalou for western gates | 4×4 recommended in wet months. |
| Shuttle / Matatu + Taxi | 3 hrs Nairobi CBD → Nyeri; 30 min taxi to Treetops, Ark or gates | Multiple daily departures | Budget‑friendly, less flexible. |
| Scheduled Flight (Safarilink) | 35 min Wilson → Mweiga airstrip | Pre‑book seats; park transfer arranged by lodge | Perfect for tight itineraries. |
Roads climb sharply from fertile tea country into misty rainforest, so leave Nairobi before 08:00 to beat city traffic and maximise daylight game‑drives.
Things to Do & See in Aberdare National Park
1. Chase the Waterfalls
- Karuru Falls – a triple‑drop cataract plunging 273 m.
- Gura Falls – Kenya’s highest at ~302 m, best viewed from the opposite ridge.
- Chania & Magura Falls – photogenic stops on the moorland circuit.
No extra charge beyond your park ticket; hire a KWS ranger for the moderate hikes.
2. Night‑time Game Watching
Stay up with floodlit salt‑licks: elephants, giant forest hogs and elusive bongo antelope emerge after dusk.
3. Moorland Hikes & Trout Fishing
Above the tree‑line, tussock grasslands shelter unique sunbirds and Afro‑alpine flora; icy streams pack rainbow trout for the patient angler.
Where to Stay: Hotels in Aberdare National Park
| Lodge / Hotel | Style & Highlights |
|---|---|
| The Ark Lodge | Ship‑shaped tree hotel facing a floodlit waterhole; buzzer alerts when big game arrives. |
| Treetops Lodge | Historic perch where Queen Elizabeth II awoke as monarch in 1952; elevated walkways. |
| Aberdare Country Club | Colonial farmhouse gardens near Mweiga—golf, spa and resident giraffes. |
| Fishing Lodge Cottages (KWS) | Self‑catering cabins beside trout streams—great for hikers. |
| Sangare Tented Camp / Tafaria Castle (nearby) | Luxury tented suites or a fairytale hill‑top castle overlooking the Aberdare range. |
All accommodation should be booked well ahead for peak seasons (July–October, December–March).
For example ; 2‑Day Hideaway Safaris Itinerary
Day 1: Early Nairobi pick‑up → Aberdare Country Club for lunch → Afternoon entry via Ark Gate → Evening wildlife viewing from The Ark’s balconies.
Day 2: Sunrise moorland drive to Karuru Falls viewpoint → Picnic breakfast → Exit via Mutubio Gate for panoramic Rift Valley outlook → Return to Nairobi by 17:00.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Stay on designated tracks—the Aberdare is a vital water‑catchment for Nairobi & the Rift Valley.
- Dress warm & waterproof—temperatures drop below 10 °C and showers strike any time.
- Pack binoculars & rain covers for cameras; dense forest makes sightings fleeting.
- Support local communities by buying Nyeri coffee or Naivasha cut flowers en route.
Planning a safari that balances misty mountain drama with once‑in‑a‑lifetime wildlife? Aberdare National Park delivers. Let Hideaway Safaris craft a trip that threads you through bamboo tunnels, beside roaring falls, and finally to that flood‑lit salt‑lick where elephants glow silver in the moonlight. Karibu Kenya—see you in the Highlands!
