Aberdare
National Park
Background
Information
The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic
range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley,
running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and
Thomsons Falls. Soils are red and of volcanic origin,
but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks,
Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated
by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The
topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through
the forested eastern and western slopes and there are
many clear streams and waterfalls. The Aberdares are an
important water catchment area providing water to the
Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern
drainage basins.
The National Park lies mainly
above the tree line running along the 10,000ft contour
with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the 'salient'
area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the
7000ft contour
The unusual vegetation,
rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create
an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. The
park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest,
whose management is under an MoU between KWS and the Forest
Department.
Location:
Central highlands, west of Mount Kenya; Nyeri District;
Central Province; 766km2.
Climate:
Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with
precipitation varying from around 1000mm yearly on the
north western slopes to as much as 3000mm in the south
east. Heavy rainfall occurs through most of the year.
How To Get There
Roads
The park is readily accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and
Naro Moru on the eastern side (160 kms from Nairobi).
A road crosses the park to connect with another from Naivasha
and North Kinangop on the west.
The main towns from which
the park can be approached are Nyeri (154 km from Nairobi)
Nyaheruru (188 km from Nairobi) and Naivasha (87 km from
Nairobi).
Airstrips
Mweiga Airstrip, next to the park headquarters or Nyeri
Airstrip which is 12 km from Mweiga headquarters.
Park Roads
The park has 60km and 396km of primary and secondary roads
respectively. The salient has an adequate road network.
The central Aberdares is hardly accessible during the
wet season and there are few motorable roads in Northern
Aberdares which is also cut off from the central Aberdares.
Most of the current road network is not accessible during
the wet season.
Park Gates
From Nyeri - Ruhuruini gate 20 km, Kiandongoro gate 30
km, Treetops gate 17 km, Ark gate 28 km, Wandare gate
47 km.
From Nyahururu - Rhino gate 48 km, Shamata gate 45 km,
Naivasha, Mutubio gate 50 km.
Major Attractions
Lesatima peak, Kinangop
peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills,
Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second
largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern
Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to
the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing
of wildlife at the Ark & Treetops.
Facilities
Lodges:
Tree Tops, The Ark
