Aberdare National Park
- Region
Central Kenyan highlands
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 18 Oct 2026
- About
A national park of about 766 km² in the Aberdare (Nyandarua) mountains, gazetted in 1950 and managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, with moorland, bamboo forest and forested ravines.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab); Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 18 Oct 2026
- Highlights
- Elephants, black rhinos, leopards and buffalo, with bongo sightings in the forest
- Over 250 bird species recorded in the park
- Trout fishing, picnics and camping in the moorlands
- One of Kenya's five main "water towers"
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab); Nature Kenya (opens in a new tab) · checked 18 Oct 2026
- Good for
- Wildlife
- Safari (only here among these)
- Hiking
- Photography (only here among these)
KenyaPlus categories. Dark: only here among these places.
- Suggested time
At least 2 days
Information status: UnconfirmedKenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
- Road time from Nairobi
~4 h, about 190 km
Information status: EstimatedDriving time on the road route from openrouteservice (OpenStreetMap data, built 2026-10-24), plus 20% for stops, towns and slower traffic. Real times depend on road condition, traffic and the time of day. Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
- When to go
Long rains March–May (peak expected in April in 2026); short rains October–December.
Information status: EstimatedA summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
For Nyeri and Nyandarua counties, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains starting in the 2nd to 3rd week of October and continuing into January.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
- Entry fees
KenyaPlus holds a fee record — see Aberdare National Park for figures and their label.
- Confirm before booking
- Which gate you will use and whether park roads are passable after rain
- Camping or lodge bookings inside the park
- Trout-fishing permits