Kenya · Central highlands
Aberdare National Park
Cloud forest, waterfalls and floodlit waterhole lodges.
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Plan a safari to Aberdare National Park
Start with Aberdare National Park, then choose dates, stays and transport for a complete costed itinerary.
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The Aberdares rise to over 4,000 m in moorland and bamboo forest, cut by waterfalls and cold streams. Game viewing here is done differently: you sit at a floodlit waterhole after dark and let elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog and, if you are lucky, a bongo come to you.
It is cool, often wet and completely unlike the savannah parks — which is exactly why it works as a contrast night on a longer itinerary.
Why Aberdare National Park is unique
- Moorland, bamboo forest and high waterfalls
- Rare sightings of bongo and giant forest hog
- Historic tree-lodge wildlife viewing
- A cool highland contrast to Kenya's savannahs
Park, conservation & permit fees
Park entry fee
USD 60 per adult / 24 hrs
Children under 12 are charged at 50% in our costing engine.
Indicative non-resident rates; final charges depend on travel dates, age, residency and authority updates. Confirmed fees appear in your itinerary and proforma invoice.
What you can expect to see
- Elephant and buffalo at the waterholes after dark
- Giant forest hog and bushbuck
- Rare bongo in the bamboo (seldom seen)
- Black-and-white colobus and montane birds
Things to do
- Overnight waterhole viewing from a tree lodge
- Karuru and Chania waterfall walks
- Trout fishing in the highland streams
- Moorland drives on the Kinangop plateau
When to go
January – February & June – September
Driest and clearest; tracks in the moorland stay passable.
Getting there
- Road from Nairobi via Nyeri; 4x4 recommended for the higher tracks.
Where to base yourself
- Tree-style waterhole lodges inside the park
- Country houses around Nyeri and Mweiga
Planning notes from our team
- Pack a fleece and a rain shell — it is genuinely cold at night.
- One night is the norm; the appeal is the after-dark waterhole, not long drives.
Common questions
Are children allowed at the tree lodges?
Most set a minimum age, usually around seven. We check the specific lodge policy before confirming a family booking.
Why settle for a brochure safari
Plan a Aberdare National Park safari with a team that plans it around you
- Private guide and vehicle
- Named stays and itemised costs
- Availability checked before confirmation
Planning a Aberdare National Park safari?
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How to plan your Aberdare National Park safari
- 1
Tell us the basics
Dates, who is travelling, budget and what you most want to see. Two minutes in the planner or a short message.
- 2
Get a costed itinerary
A day-by-day route with named camps, flights, park fees and a clear total — plus alternatives if dates are tight.
- 3
Refine, then secure
Change anything until it feels right. A 50% deposit holds your camps; nothing is booked until you say so.