AHSKL001  6 Days Nairobi| Aberdares|Masai Mara | L. Elementaita

AHSKL002  6 Days Aberdare | Lake Nakuru |  Maasai Mara

AHSKL004   7 Days Tree Hotel | Samburu | Lake Nakuru |  Mara

AHSKL007  10 Days Mt. Kenya/ Samburu/ Aberdares/ Nakuru/ Mara / Amboseli

Aberdare Safaris and Tours

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) 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.
 

Aberdares Safari
An Aberdares Safari offers you something quite unique: with a mountain range running through the Aberdares you'll find moorland, ice-cold streams and thick forests. This mountainous area has been described as 'Scotland with Lions'.

Despite its altitude and thick vegetation the Aberdares is not without its safari attractions and is home to most of Kenya 's wildlife, including the endangered Black Rhino.

As the Aberdares mountain range slopes off to the east you'll find the well-known safari lodges, The Ark and Treetops. These lodges are also one of the main attractions of the Aberdares as both are built above the ground beside floodlit waterholes with salt licks. Elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and bushbuck are regular visitors to the waterholes at night.

This area was put on the tourist map in 1950 when Princess Elizabeth became Queen of England while she was on safari in the Aberdares.

Aberdares Accommodation - Aberdare Lodge Hotels

Treetops - Aberdares

Nestled deep in the forests of Aberdare National Park , this world-renowned rustic treehouse is dedicated to game viewing. Originally built in 1932, Treetops is famous as the place where the then-Princess Elizabeth learned of her father's death and ascended to the British Throne in 1952.

Treetops lies in the path of an ancient elephant migratory route between the Aberdare Mountains and Mt Kenya National park, and is strategically sited right in front of a watering hole and salt lick.

Guests can drink in the sight of elephants, buffalo, rhinos and more from the safety of four viewing decks and a rooftop platform. Shutterbugs can take close shots from two photographic hides at ground level. History buffs can get animal counts

for years past. Die-hard animal lovers needn't worry about missed sightings, even into the early hours of the morning. An optional buzzer in the rooms alerts the guests when a spectacle is unfolding at the waterhole. Game drives and a lecture about Treetops are also available to the guests.

This lodge-on-stilts is as space-efficient on the inside as it is unassuming on the outside. Trees grow right through the building. There are 48 cozy rooms and two suites, a lounge overlooking the waterhole and two bars. There is also a restaurant where dinner is served on charming old world refectory tables with bench seating,. It is 17 km away from Outspan Hotel , where guests begin and end their journey to Treetops. Guests are advised to bring warm clothing as nights can get chilly at this lodge, which is 6,450m above sea level.

Treetops and Shimba are located very close to the wild animals. For this reason, children under the age of 5 are not allowed at either of these lodges, both for their safety and to maintain the quiet of the environment.

OUTSPAN - ABERDARES

Outspan is located in Nyeri town, right in the heart of Kenya 's tea- and coffee-growing highlands. It is the nearest hotel to the spectacular Karuru Falls

Karuru Falls :
Narrow, one of the tallest waterfalls in Kenya , drops in three levels
Location : Aberdare National Park
Total height : 272 metres (894 feet)
Tallest drop : 130 metres (427 feet)
Other two drops : 14 metres (45 feet), 116 metres (383 feet)
Average width : 15 metres (50 feet)
Average volume : 1 cubic metre / sec (50 cubic feet/sec)
Details : Valley separates it from Gura Falls , also 3-tiered
Best view of Karuru is of the top-most drop.
Surrounding foliage includes bamboo
and is an eden of vibrant gardens and verdant green lawns. Peacocks add to the charming ambiance as they roam at will.

The hotel was built in 1927 and was once home to Lord and Lady Baden Powell , founders of the Scout and Girl Guide movements. Their cottage Paxtu is now a museum that is open to our visitors, and to scouts and guides from all over the world.

Outspan, the starting point for guests going to the world-renowned Treetops, has 3 cottages and 42 spacious rooms . Most of the rooms have fireplaces and garden access. It is also an idyllic corporate retreat with fully-equipped conference rooms, computer and internet access, and other business facilities. Meals are served in the dining room or on a wide verandah. On clear days, the verandah is the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of snow-capped Mt. Kenya , the second-highest mountain in Africa .

Don't miss out on dances by members of the Kikuyu ethnic community

Gikuyu :
Kenya 's largest ethnic group, also called Kikuyu
Location : Predominant in much of central Kenya ; also in parts of the Rift Valley
Ethnic lore : Ngai (God) took a man named Gikuyu to the top of Kirinyaga ( Mt. Kenya ) and told him to build a home with his wife, Mumbi (which means creator). The couple had nine daughters, from which clan names are taken.
and an unforgettable guided river walk during a stay at the Outspan. The river walk includes the sight of an ancient Mugumo tree and a view of the Chania River flowing between black rocks.

Guests may also swim in the hotel's pool, or play a quick game of tennis or squash on the courts. Golfers will particularly enjoy playing the game at the neighbouring Nyeri Club. At this altitude, the ball goes much further than usual! 

The Treetops Hotel
Famous for housing Queen Elizabeth the II on the night of her crowning, Treetops Hotel offers guests a royal treat in the heart of the Aberdares National Park.


The Ark - Aberdares
Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, this unique game lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which attracts a host of wildlife.

Aberdare Country Club
Just a three hour drive from Nairobi on a good paved road, the Aberdare Country Club nestles on the slopes of Mweiga Hill.

Serena Mountain Lodge
Situated in the Mount Kenya Forest, Serena Mountain Lodge offers you great game viewing from the privacy of your room, as game flock to the nearby waterhole.