The park is located about 180 km from Nairobi and stretches over a wide variety of terrain at elevations from 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) to 4,000 meters (13,000 ft). It is located in Nyeri County. A volcanic range that forms the Eastern wall of the Rift valley and run approximately 100km. The ranges were named Aberdares by Joseph Thomson who was an explorer in honor of Lord Aberdare, who at that time, was the President of Royal Geographical Society. The Maasai call it Oldonyo Lesatima and Kikuyus Nyandarua.

Established in May 1950, the Aberdare National Park covers an area of 766 square kilometers and forms part of the Aberdare Mountain Range. The park contains a wide range of landscapes – from mountain peaks that rise to 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level, to their deep, V-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Moorland, bamboo forests and rainforests are found at lower elevations. Aberdare National Park was established in 1950 with an aim to conserve and protect the Aberdare Mountains. Since then, it has grown to a size of an area of 767 km square.

Aberdare National Park is best known as the site where in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen after the death of her father King George VI, while staying at the Treetops Hotel. It is managed by KWS and Forest Service.

Accessibility: By Road: The Park is easily accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the Eastern side and it is 180 Km from Nairobi. A road crosses the park through the lower slopes up to the Moorlands to connect with another one from Naivasha on the western side. Naivasha is 87 Kms from Nairobi. The park HQS is 15 Kms from Nyeri town, along the Nyeri – Nyahururu road.

By Air: The nearest airstrip is the Mweiga Airstrip which is on the opposite side of the park.

Attractions

• Game animals easily seen in the park during game viewing include African Elephant, black rhino, leopard, spotted hyena, olive baboon, black and white colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, cape buffaloes, Warthogs, common zebras (North Aberdare), bushbucks and reedbuck.  Rare sightings include those of Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat and blue duiker.

• Very beautiful sceneries of Aberdare include magnificent waterfalls with the main ones being Karuru waterfalls which fall in three steps, 1st step 117M, 2nd step 26M and 3rd 130M, making a total of 273M, Chania waterfalls and many other smaller ones.

• Adding to the beauty of Aberdare are many ridges and river valleys which attract mountain scenery photographers.

• A recent marked attraction in Aberdare is the 400Kms electric fence which was completed – final post on 28th August, 2009.  The fence protects the whole Aberdare ecosystem from human pressures and contains wildlife, preventing human/wildlife conflict.

• Visitors can also indulge in picnics, trout fishing (in the past the rivers were stocked with brown rainbow trout) in the rivers and camping in the Moorlands. Bird watching is rewarding with about 290 recorded bird species, including the Aberdare Cisticolas that is critically endangered and the Jackson’s francolin, which is regionally endemic, sparry hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.

• Mau Mau caves – Mau Mau Caves were used as a hide-out by Kenyan Freedom Fighters during the Mau Mau Uprising of 1952 to 1960. It is located approximately 18 km south of the equator inside the thick Mount Kenya National Park.

• Wildlife in the park include elephants, black rhino, warthog, rare bongo & bush pig.

• Trout fish.

Conservation efforts

Aberdare National Park is committed to conserving its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Key conservation efforts include anti-poaching initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species such as the bongo antelope and the African elephant. The park emphasizes habitat restoration to maintain its diverse habitats, including montane forests and moorlands.

Community engagement programs promote sustainable tourism and educate local populations about conservation’s importance, fostering a sense of stewardship. Additionally, ongoing wildlife monitoring helps track populations and health, guiding effective management strategies. These combined efforts aim to preserve the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Aberdare National Park for future generations.