Travel Guide to Aberdares & Mount Kenya National Parks

Kenya is known for its grasslands, vast animals, and famous safari locations like the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. But apart from the classic savannah safari, Kenya has another aspect that is way cooler: cool forests, hazy valleys, mountain scenery, and wild peaks.

Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya National Park are probably the best locations that showcase this aspect of Kenya.

Even though both locations are in the middle of Kenya, they give different experiences. Aberdare is known for its thick forests, waterfalls, moorlands, and hard-to-spot animals in the jungle, while Mount Kenya offers astonishing views of the mountains, unique ecosystems, travel routes, and one of the grandest visuals of nature in Africa.

Where Are Aberdare and Mount Kenya National Parks?

The Aberdare National Park is situated in the highlands at the center of Kenya. It covers the Aberdare mountain range and is reachable from Nyeri and Naro Moru. The Kenya Wildlife Service describes it as a chilly mist-covered highland area that comprises forests, moors, hills, water bodies, and waterfalls.

Surrounding Mount Kenya, the Mount Kenya National Park is home to Africa’s second tallest mountain which rises at the height of 5199 meters at Batian, and the lowest peak at 4984 meters at Point Lenana. The park is also a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya National Park are remarkably near to each other compared to other main safari parks in Kenya, giving one an opportunity to visit the two parks alongside other exciting parks in Central Kenya, such as Lake Nakuru, Ol Pejeta, and Samburu.

Aberdare National Park: A Safari in the Highlands

Aberdare National Park presents a unique environment as opposed to the area of open grasslands known in Kenya.

No golden plains are available for viewing, but instead forests, valleys, moors, rivers, and beautiful waterfalls fill the sights.

The diversity of the landscapes is one of the main draws of the Aberdares. It rises from forests in the lower areas of the park through moors and into mountainous terrain.

For explorers interested in landscapes, photos, and uncommon wildlife sightings, Aberdare will be an interesting place to visit in addition to a safari in Kenya.

Wildlife to See in Aberdare

Aberdare boasts noteworthy wildlife.

The animals found in Aberdare include:

• Elephants
• Buffalo
• Leopards
• Black rhino
• Eland
• Bushbuck
• Warthog
• Giant forest hog
• Reedbuck
• Duiker
• Suni
• Colobus monkeys
• And many more forest-dwelling animals.

The rare animals of Aberdare’s forest are not easy to spot due to the thick vegetation, making wildlife watching an entirely different experience than in the case of traditional safari game drives.

One of the animals highlighted by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is the elephant and buffalo as commonly found species. Some of the rare species include mountain bongo, black serval, and the occasional black leopard.

The forests themselves can make it an interesting experience. Instead of just gazing at open savannah, you may end up searching for signs of life in the foggy forest as you pass through its thick trees.

The Waterfalls of Aberdare

Aberdare National Park is home to a number of magnificent waterfalls.

Some of the best-known waterfalls in the park include:

• Karuru Falls
• Gura Falls
• Chania Falls
• Magura Falls

The most stunning of them is Karuru Falls, which plunges down 300 meters through the breathtaking scenery.

Being enveloped in mist and surrounded by the forest makes these waterfalls uniquely beautiful.

Hiking in Aberdare National Park

Aberdare is also about more than just game drives.

The National Park is a great place for trekking and hiking. There are hiking trails around Mount Satima and other high ground.

Mount Satima is the highest peak in the Aberdare mountain range. Hiking through the moors grants visitors beautiful views of nature when weather permits.

Another renowned landscape seen in this area is the Dragon’s Teeth rock formation and Twin Peaks/Twin Towers formation.

The unique blend of hiking, mountain beauty, and animal watching makes Aberdare a great destination for tourists searching for adventure.

Despite the aforementioned, hiking conditions are liable to change rapidly at high altitude. Therefore, visitors are advised to be ready for the really cool weather while hiking.

The Historical Side of Aberdare

Aberdare has an interesting connection to the history of Kenya.

It is linked to Treetops Lodge, where Princess Elizabeth was when she heard of the death of her father, King George VI, and was declared Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.

The park also has the Mau Mau Post Office Tree, a big Mugumo fig tree that was used for communication during the fight for independence.

This gives another dimension to a trip to Aberdare besides wildlife and scenery.

Mount Kenya National Park: Into the Mountain Wilderness

If Aberdare is characterized by misty woodlands and moors, Mount Kenya is characterized by spectacular mountain scenery.

Mount Kenya is an old extinct volcano and Africa’s second-highest peak.

Batian, the peak of Mount Kenya, is at 5,199 meters, and Nelion is at 5,188 meters. The highest altitude reached by trekkers is 4,984 meters at Mount Lenana.

This mountain has jagged peaks, alpine scenery, forests, glaciers, lakelets, and unique vegetation at high altitude.

Whether or not you have plans to reach Mount Kenya’s peak, the area has amazing views and is great for hiking adventures and nature walks.

Wildlife Around Mount Kenya

The second significant characteristic of Mount Kenya is its wildlife. The forests and high-altitude forests in the lower and middle slopes of the mountain provide habitats for a wide variety of wildlife species such as elephants, bushbucks, waterbucks, elands and suni.

Further down the mountain, some of the other animals you may be lucky to see include black-fronted duiker, tree hyraxes and the white-tailed mongoose as well as mole rats. Unlike other destinations where predators are the ones attracting visitors in huge numbers, Mount Kenya’s fascination comes from the variety of wildlife, along with the forests and the scenic view of the mountains.

Hiking Mount Kenya

The trekking aspect is arguably one of the primary attractions for tourists looking to visit Mount Kenya.

There are three primary recognized routes for accessing the mountain:

• Sirimon Route
• Naro Moru Route
• Chogoria Route

KWS considers these primary access routes to the mountain.

Travelling to Mount Kenya is an incredibly varied affair, depending on the route, itinerary, and elevation climbed.

While most trekkers will reach Point Lenana, the peaks of Batian and Nelion, characterized by technical climbing, require careful and proper preparation.

This distinction is particularly vital for first-time travellers. You do not need to be a skilled hiker to enjoy the wonders of Mount Kenya, but you need to have adequate training and preparation for a meaningful summit trip.

Can You Visit Mount Kenya Without Climbing It?

Definitely.

Visitors to Mount Kenya may appreciate its splendour without climbing its peak.

Tourists have access to the area around Mount Kenya for relaxation and exploration, walking in the forest, admiring beautiful views, as well as the opportunity to stay in various accommodations.

Thus, Mount Kenya can cater to both adventurous tourists and those who just want to see one of the famous places in Kenya.

If you are not an experienced hiker, talk to your travel agent to develop a travel plan that is accessible for you and matches your interests and preferences.

Best Time to Visit Aberdare and Mount Kenya

What is the best time depends on what one wants to do.

In the generally dry seasons, wildlife watching and outdoor activities can be easier because of easier travel on roads and paths.

However, these are mountain terrains, and weather can change quickly.

Aberdare can be cold, humid, and foggy since it is in a high-altitude location. In the case of Mount Kenya, the situation is even more complicated because of the drastic change in altitude as we move upward.

In mountain climbing, it is particularly important to know the weather conditions beforehand, since they can greatly influence visibility, trail conditions, and temperature.

Instead of just choosing your travel dates based on your general “best month,” discuss your travel plan in detail with a safari operator.

What to Pack

When packing for Aberdare and Mount Kenya, there are additional preparations one must make compared to packing for a warm-weather safari.

Some of the highlighted items include:

• Warm jacket
• Sweater or fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Long trousers
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Hiking boots for hiking
• Warm socks
• Hat
• Gloves for high altitudes
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Medication if needed
• Small first-aid kit

KWS recommends taking warm clothes to the Aberdare area as temperatures can drop rapidly at night. KWS also recommends carrying walking boots and other essential gear along. Mount Kenya requires suitable hiking or mountaineering gear to be undertaken.

Where to Stay

Both of these places have a variety of unique accommodation facilities.

In Aberdare, there is a wide range of accommodation types available, like The Ark Lodge, Treetops, and campsites.

For Mount Kenya, there are several lodges, bandas, and camps in places like Sirimon and other access areas.

Your selection ought to depend on whether you want to see wildlife, hike, and climb, enjoy nature’s beauty, or stay comfortably near any walking trail.

In case of a short safari, a close site will significantly reduce travelling time.

Why Visit Aberdare and Mount Kenya?

Kenya’s safari history has the capability of expanding well beyond the Big Five.

Aberdare provides tourists with forests embedded in mist, streaming waterfalls, moorlands, and incredible wildlife species found only at high altitudes. In addition to that, the experience of Mount Kenya leads to dynamic alpine settings and adventures.

This travel route covers the extraordinary biodiversity of this country.

You can start your trip in Nairobi and continue to drive, having fun in the cool forests of Aberdare. You should see elephants and buffaloes high in the mountains next, then keep going towards Mount Kenya and finish by staring at the rugged peaks of Africa’s greatest and most iconic mountain.

And, of course, this distinction is the very reason behind these places’ greatness.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya National Park allows one to experience another unique aspect of Kenya.

In Aberdare, one will find rich forests, stunning waterfalls, moorlands, wildlife and relaxing highland scenery. People visiting Mount Kenya will find spectacular views of mountains and will have a chance to hike around.

You do not have to make a choice between animal safaris and climbing mountains, since both can be upgraded and included in the same travel program.

No matter whether you spend one weekend or have a longer safari, Aberdare and Mount Kenya in central Kenya are worthy tourist destinations that provide fresh, cool mountain air, stunning views of the landscape, and rich wildlife that is not typical for savannah regions.

With Aberdare and Mount Kenya, travelers will discover the highlands.