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Aberdare
National Park - "Majestic Peaks, Moorlands,
Falls..."
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) Nyahururu (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
Bandas:
Fishing Lodge; Ruhuruini (Tusk Camp); Sapper Hut;
KWS Hut at Treetops; KWS HQ bungalow.
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