Safari Activities in Aberdare National Park
1. Game Viewing
Wildlife sightings are best during the dry months of June to September and January to February, when animals gather at watering holes. From the elevated platforms of The Ark and Treetops lodges, you can observe a wide range of animals, including nocturnal species, without leaving your accommodation.
2. Bird Watching
Aberdare National Park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. With over 290 bird species recorded, the park offers incredible birding experiences across diverse altitudes and habitats. Some of the sought-after birds include:
- Hartlaub’s Turaco (frequent visitor to park lodges)
- Aberdare Cisticola (endemic)
- Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird
- Bar-tailed Trogon
- Crowned Eagle
- Tacazze and Golden-winged Sunbirds
- African Paradise Flycatcher
- Montane White-eye
- Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk
- Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle
- Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
The best time for bird watching is all year round, but especially during the wetter seasons when migratory birds are present and the forest is most active.
3. Hiking and Trekking
The Aberdare Ranges provide superb hiking opportunities. The terrain ranges from bamboo forests to alpine moorlands, offering trails that lead to breathtaking waterfalls such as Karuru and Chania Falls. Dry months (June–September, January–February) are ideal for trekking to avoid the slippery and muddy trails common in the rainy seasons.
4. Photography and Scenic Viewing
Photographers will find endless inspiration in the dramatic landscapes, mist-covered peaks, and forest wildlife. The park's elevation creates a moody, ethereal quality perfect for landscape photography.
Best Time to Visit
For Wildlife Viewing: The dry seasons of June–September and January–February are the most favourable for spotting wildlife and accessing remote areas of the park with ease.
For Hiking:
The dry months offer safer and more enjoyable trekking conditions, especially along steep or forested trails.
For Bird Watching:
Birding is great year-round, though migratory species and breeding behaviors peak in the wetter months, offering exceptional diversity.
Though not typically marketed as a "Big Five" destination, Aberdare is home to all members of the Big Five. Elephants and buffaloes are commonly seen, while leopards, lions, and black rhinos tend to be more elusive due to the dense vegetation. Other wildlife includes hyenas, large-spotted genets, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, and various monkey species.
Aberdare also serves as a critical habitat for the rare and shy Bongo antelope, one of Africa’s most elusive forest antelopes. This park is among the few remaining sanctuaries where sightings, although rare, are possible.
