National Park · Central Kenya
Aberdare National Park
A high-altitude forest park known for its "tree hotel" lodges, where guests watch wildlife visit a floodlit waterhole through the night.
How to get there
By road from Nairobi, roughly two to three hours north.
What to find
Forest elephant and buffalo, waterfalls, and overnight tree-lodge game viewing.
Overview
Aberdare National Park protects the high Aberdare Range in central Kenya, with moorland, bamboo and thick montane forest reaching over 4,000 m. It's cool, misty and very different from the classic savanna parks.
The Aberdares made history in 1952, when Princess Elizabeth was staying at the Treetops lodge on the night she became Queen. The park is known for its 'tree hotels', where you watch animals visit a floodlit waterhole through the night.
Highlights
- Night game viewing from tree-style lodges
- Waterfalls, including the tall Karuru Falls
- Forest elephants, buffalo, and the rare mountain bongo
- High moorland scenery and trout streams
Things to do
Waterhole viewing
Overnight game viewing from a tree lodge.
Waterfall drives and hikes
Karuru, Chania and Gura falls.
Trout fishing
In the park's clear mountain streams.
Best time to visit
The drier months (June to September and December to February) are best. The rains can make roads difficult.
Getting there
About 2.5 to 3 hours by road north of Nairobi, via Nyeri.
Where to stay
Tree-style lodges and a small number of lodges and self-catering cottages. We confirm which lodges are currently operating.
See accommodation options in Kenya →
Good to know
- Bring warm clothes, as nights at altitude are cold.
- Pair with Mount Kenya, Nanyuki and the Laikipia conservancies.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.