Aberdare Nationalpark / Nyeri

Like a wild, mysterious island, the Aberdares rise from Kenya’s most densely populated area, a sea of Kikuyu villages, shambas, coffee, tea, and pyrethrum plantations. The Aberdare Range, with an elevation of 4001 meters (some maps also indicate 3999m or 3994m), is the third-highest mountain range in Kenya, stretching approximately 70 km along the eastern edge of the Rift Valley. Like most of East Africa’s mountains, they are volcanic in origin, although this is not immediately apparent as they lack the classic conical shape. Perhaps their location between Mt. Kenya and the Rift Valley – both landmarks of ongoing tectonic activity in Kenya’s crust – hints at their volcanic past. The central volcano of the Aberdares was active between 6.5 and 5 million years ago. At that time, the Rift Valley, with Lake Naivasha, had a completely different form, and Mt. Longonot did not yet exist. Around 2 million years ago, a collapse of the East African Rift tore the entire western half of the mountains into the depths. The steep, 400-600 meter deep escarpments on the western edge of the Aberdares are unmistakable traces of this gigantic process, while the eastern slopes of the mountains descend much more gently. Elevations above 3000 meters are protected by the Aberdare National Park, opened in May 1950, which, at 767 sq km, is not one of Kenya’s largest parks, but is the fourth oldest in the country after Nairobi, Tsavo, and Mt. Kenya. To the east, a densely forested part of the protected area, known as the Salient, extends almost down to Nyeri. The Karura Falls, about 280 meters high, are among the highest waterfalls in Kenya.

In Aberdare National Park, the Big Five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, and lion – can be found even at high altitudes, along with the eland antelope.

Aberdare Country Club (Nyeri)
Outspan Golf & Country Club (Nyeri)
The Ark
Treetops Lodge

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your trip to Africa!