Facts About Aberdare National Park
Facts About Aberdare National Park : In 1884, Scottish Geologist and explorer, Joseph Thomson, discovered the Aberdare Ranges, called the ‘’Nyandarua Ranges’’ by the local people. He also discovered the falls at the end of the Aberdare National Park and the falls were named after him, in 1951 the 300 square miles Aberdare Range was officially made into a National Park and is one of the Kenya’s major watersheds, supplying Nairobi’s water. It is a water catchment area as it is an undestroyed virgin forest and most of the rivers in Kenya start from the Aberdare National park. It is the source of water that services the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Aberdare National Pak is the best known as the site where in 1952, Princess Elizabeth found out she was queen after she learned about the death of her father King George VI, whilst staying at the Treetops Hotel. Aberdare National Park was established in 1950 with an aim to conserve and protect the Aberdare Mountains.
Road Network. Aberdare National Park is located about 150km (93 miles)East of Nairobi, and is easily accessible from Nyeri and Naro Moru.the park is 87 km (54 miles) from Naivasha. Most tourists travel by the road with a tour operator.
Climate. Aberdare National park covers the bulk of the highest of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges in the central Kenya. The best times to visit the park is during January and February, as well as June and September. Due to its high altitude the region is much cooler than the savannahs and coastal plains. The region is misty and it rains year around, however, there are two main rainy seasons, from March through May and October through December. Due to the high amounts of rainfall these periods, the roads may become impassable.
Aberdare Accommodation. The Ark Tree Lodge .The Ark Tree Lodge overlooks one of the largest salt-licks and waterholes in the Aberdare mountains where you can see a variety of the forest game unlike anywhere else in Africa, The lodge is built in the shape of the an Ark and offers accommodation in en-suite rooms. The waterhole is floodlit so you can view wildlife at night. Aberdare Country Club. This nestled on a slope of Mweiga Hill in the Aberdare Highlands, part of the Great Rift Valley. Considered a heritage property in Kenya. The Aberdare Country Club has retained the charm of the private home with the simple comforts of a country inn, Activities include horseback riding safaris, golf, nature walks, game drives and many more.
Animal species. Aberdare National Park provides a habitat for the animal species such as elephants, black rhinos, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, bushbucks and among others. Rare sightings include those of the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat, blue duiker and many more. Aberdare national park is a home of high concentration of the rhinos mostly which makes it an incredible national park in Kenya.
Bird species. Aberdare National Park is excellent place for the bird lovers during their safari in Kenya, the park has got over 250 species of birds in the park including the Jackson’s Francolin, Sparrow hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds, plovers and many more.
Best time to visit Aberdare National Park. The best time to visit Aberdare National Park especially for the hikers should be during the dry season from June to September or January and February for the proper exploring of the park.
Waterfalls. Aberdare National park has got several waterfalls in the park in that the park has got Karuru falls which is the place of many unique wonders of mature, the waterfall is the highest and the tallest in Kenya, a break taking sight that plunges 273 meters below the viewing point. Other waterfalls in Aberdare national park includes Thomson’s waterfall/Nyahururu waterfalls, Kereita cave and waterfall, Chain water falls, Magura waterfalls and queens cave, Gura waterfalls.
Aberdare Forest Reserve. Aberdare national park has got the forest reserve which is a significant water catchment area in Kenya. Aside from Mount Kenya, the Aberdare provides waters that feed the Tana River, Ewaso Nyiro, River Malewa, and the Athi River. Lake Naivasha attributes its waters to River Malewa.
Park Activities. Aberdare National park has got various tourist activities like enjoying trout fishing, horseback riding, overnight game viewing, forest hiking, golfing, sundowners, bird watching, bush picnics, visiting the water falls and the caves in the park.
Mountain Peaks. Aberdare national park has got mountain peaks that is the Mount Satima (Oldoinyo Lesatima) is the highest peak (4000 meters) on the northern side of the Aberdare range. It is locally known as the ‘’ mountain of the young bull’’. Mount Satima bears the famous volcanic cones termed ‘’The Dragon’s Teeth’’. Mount Kinangop is the second tallest peak in the Aberdare at 3906 meters. It is situated in the southern part of the range. Other peaks in the range include the Kipipiri peak (3349 meters), Chebuswa peak (3364 meters), Elephant peak (3590 meters), Maratini Hill (3698 meters) and the Table Mountain (3791 meters).
Park Management. Aberdare National park was established in 1950 and it’s managed by the Kenya Wildlife Services to ensure its ecosystem is properly managed.
