Things to Do in Aberdare National Park

Aberdare National Park sits in the central highlands of Kenya, covering the eastern and western slopes of the Aberdare Mountain Range. The park's landscape shifts dramatically from bamboo forests and moorlands to dense rainforest valleys, creating one of Kenya's most diverse ecosystems. You'll find everything from elephants and buffalo to the rare bongo antelope, plus some of the country's most spectacular waterfalls. The park actually spans two separate sections - the lower-altitude Salient area in the east, which tends to be more accessible, and the higher-altitude main range where the famous Treetops Lodge once hosted royalty.

Dining options center around the park's lodges, which typically offer buffet-style meals featuring both international and Kenyan cuisine. The Ark and Treetops lodges provide all meals as part of their packages, with decent quality considering the remote location. Nyeri town has several restaurants if you're staying outside the park, including local spots serving nyama choma (grilled meat) and ugali. Most visitors find the lodge food adequate, though it's not particularly memorable - you're really here for the location and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The dry seasons from June to September and December to March offer the best game viewing and road conditions, though Aberdare National Park can be visited year-round. The long rains from April to May make some roads impassable and reduce visibility, but they also bring out the park's waterfalls at their most impressive. Temperatures can drop to near freezing at night regardless of season due to the altitude, so pack warm clothing. Wildlife viewing is actually quite consistent throughout the year, unlike some of Kenya's more seasonal parks.