The Aberdare National Park is one of Kenya’s best-kept secrets. Just 160km north of Nairobi, it is home to some varied and breathtaking landscapes. From north to south runs the Aberdare mountain rangewhich reaches a maximum altitude of 3995m at Ol Doinyo Satima Peak. In the valley between the peaks there are icy mountain streams, ideal for flyfishing or an effective wake-up call! The official name of the park is now Nyandarua (Kikuyu for ‘a drying hide’) but it is still commonly referred to as the Aberdares, after Lord Aberdare who used to be president of the Royal Geographic Society.
An undulating moorland at about an altitude of 3000m traverses most of the Aberdares. As well as the streams, there are rocky outcrops and montane forest with a great range of trees and wildlife. In the surrounds there are a number of small farms and coffee estates that you can visit to get a better taste of Kenya.
Though the vegetation is thick, elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and hyena can all be seen if you look closely. There is also a wide variety of antelope, including the giant forest hog and bushbuck and this is your chance to spot the beautiful white-tailed Colobbus monkey. Birdwatching is of the highest standard – spot a bee-eater, Africa’s majestic crowned eagle and Jackson’s francolins.
