Park Area
Altitude Range
Bird Species
From Nairobi
Year-Round
A unique intersection of sacred indigenous beliefs, British colonial aristocracy, and the armed struggle for Kenya’s independence. Geologically formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, the mountains—originally named Nyandarua (“drying hide” in the Kikuyu language due to its textured folds)—hold deep-rooted historical significance.
Best known as the site where in 1952, Elizabeth II became Queen after the death of her father King George VI, whilst staying at the Treetops Hotel. Aberdare National Park was established in 1950 with an aim to conserve and protect the Aberdare Mountains.
The park is located about 100 km north of Nairobi and stretches over a wide variety of terrain at elevations from 2,000 m (6,600 ft) to 4,000 m (13,000 ft). Established in May 1950, the Aberdare National Park covers an area of 767 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 m (13,000 ft) to their deep, v-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Moorland, bamboo forests and rainforests are found at lower elevations.
To get to Aberdare National Park, you can travel by road or by air. The park is located roughly 150 kilometers north of Nairobi. The journey takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on your chosen route and gate. One of Kenya’s most accessible highland parks, just 2.5 to 3 hours from Nairobi. We arrange private road transfers and handle all logistics as part of the safari package.
| The Eastern Side (Nyeri Route): | Best for accessing the lower forest zone, The Ark Lodge, and Treetops. Drive from Nairobi via the Thika Superhighway (A2) through Karatina to Nyeri. From Nyeri, proceed to the Treetops Gate or Ark Gate via Mweiga. |
| The Southern / Western Side (Njabini & Naivasha Routes): | Best for hikers tackling Elephant Hill, Table Mountain, or the high moorlands. You can access Mutubio Gate by driving from Nairobi via Limuru and Njabini, or by taking the scenic route from Naivasha (85 km away). |
| The Northern Side (Nyahururu Route): | Best for accessing the less-visited northern moorlands and the Ruhuruini Bandas. Drive from Nyahururu town via Ol Kalou to Shamata Gate. |
| Route From | Distance | Approx. Travel Time | Entrance Gates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi (via Nyeri) | ~150 km | 3 – 3.5 hours | Treetops Gate, Ark Gate, Ruhuruini Gate |
| Nairobi (via Njabini) | ~155 km | 3 hours | Mutubio Gate |
| Naivasha | ~85 km | 2.5 hours | Mutubio Gate |
| Nanyuki | ~90 km | 2 hours | Wandare Gate |
| Nyahururu | ~60 km | 1.5 hours | Shamata Gate, Rhino Gate |
Entry fees for Aberdare National Park are standardized for 24-hour single entry. International visitors pay USD 70 per adult, while citizens and residents pay via the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) system. All payments must be completed digitally before your visit. As of 2026, the adult entry fee for Aberdare National Park ranges from KES 800 for Kenyan/EA Citizens to USD 70 for international non-residents per 24 hours. The park is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and is categorized as a “Wilderness B” destination, applying standardized daily conservation tariffs.
| Visitor Category | Adult (24 hours) | Child (5–17 yrs) |
| Kenyan / EA Citizens | KES 800 | KES 500 |
| Kenya Residents (with work permit) | KES 1,100 | KES 675 |
| African Passport Holders (Non-EAC) | USD 40 | USD 20 |
| Non-Resident Internationals | USD 70 | USD 40 |
Aberdare Popular Seasons
| Season | Months | Conditions & Visibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Dry Season | June – September | SeptemberCool days, cold nights; thinned foliage makes animals easier to spot. | Game drives, high-altitude trekking, photography. |
| Short Dry Season | January – February | Clear skies, minimal rainfall, and warmer daytime temperatures. | Hiking Elephant Hill or Dragon’s Teeth, general safaris. |
| Short Rains | October – December | Frequent afternoon showers; lush landscapes and reduced tourist crowds. | Birdwatching (migratory species arrive), photography. |
| Long Rains | March – May | Heavy daily rainfall; muddy, slippery roads that often require expert 4×4 driving. | Viewing powerful waterfalls and lush, green landscapes. |
The ecosystem changes dramatically as elevation increases, compressing four distinct habitats into a single mountain range:
Aberdare National Park offers a distinct high-altitude highland safari experience characterized by misty moorlands, dense rainforests, dramatic waterfalls, and unique tree-lodge wildlife viewing. Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the park is located roughly 150 to 160 kilometers north of Nairobi, making it an exceptional alternative to traditional lowland savannah safaris.
Camps & Lodges
Features an exceptional array of wilderness accommodations, spanning from historic luxury forest lodges to remote alpine campsites. For full immersion inside the park, properties like The Ark Lodge offer 24-hour wildlife viewing over active waterholes, while the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) maintains self-catering bandas and rugged campsites for hikers and fishers
These iconic, full-service properties focus on wildlife observation and historical prestige, with several situated directly overlooking salt licks and watering holes.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| The Ark Lodge | Built to resemble Noah’s Ark, this multi-level wooden lodge features four viewing decks and a ground-level photo bunker. It stands at an elevation of ~2,600m and provides an electronic buzzer system to alert guests when rare wildlife arrives at the waterhole overnight |
| Treetops Lodge | Situated near the Treetops Gate, this highly famous historical lodge is where Princess Elizabeth ascended to the British throne in 1952. It offers elevated balconies and floodlit night viewing windows. |
| Aberdare Country Club | Positioned just outside the park gates on a sprawling hill, this colonial-style property acts as a high-end base camp. Guests enjoy an on-site golf course, horseback riding safaris, and fine dining before transferring into the park. |
| Rhino Watch Safari Lodge | Located near the Solio Conservancy north of Nyeri, this quiet eco-lodge features luxury safari tents and stone chalets with panoramic, sunrise views of Mount Kenya. |
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Fishing Lodge Bandas | Situated at 2,700m near the Chania River, these fully equipped two- and three-bedroom stone cottages come with internal fireplaces, kitchens, and hot water. |
| Tusk Camp Banda | Positioned 2km inside the Ruhuruini Gate, this self-contained forest camp provides double cabins and a separate mess/kitchen area. |
| The Sapper Hut | A highly remote, single-room timber cabin sleeping two guests. It offers very basic cooking spaces and requires travelers to bring all of their own bedding and supplies. |
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Reedbuck Public Campsite | Conveniently located close to the major Aberdare waterfalls, this site lets visitors camp among free-roaming wildlife, though conditions remain very basic and nightly temperatures drop drastically. |
| Honi Campsite | Nestled in the northern moorlands at 3,100m near the Wandare Gate, providing sweeping alpine views and quiet birdwatching settings. |
| Wandare Campsite | Sitting at 3,000m, this serves as the primary base camp for hikers preparing to take on the Mount Lesatima trail. |
| Twin Hills Campsite | Placed at 2,800m near Gura Falls, offering a heavily forested atmosphere and cooler riverfront terrain. |
Due to its diverse topography, we design tours tailored to three distinct travel styles: classic wildlife safaris, intensive mountain trekking, and multi-park combination itineraries.
+91 345 533 865
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+91 345 533 865
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A premier East African tour operator headquartered in Mombasa, Kenya, specializing in immersive, tailor-made wildlife and cultural experiences. We connect travelers directly to the region’s most iconic landscapes, seamlessly blending Kenya’s sweeping savannas with Tanzania’s rich biodiversity and pristine coastal beaches.
With an emphasis on flexible itineraries built around real-time wildlife conditions rather than rigid schedules, they offer everything from high-end luxury retreats to immersive camping expeditions.
+254 724 628 009
mail@eastafricatourstravel.com
+254 724 628 009
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