The Aberdare Range, formerly known as the Sattima Range and by the Kikuyu people as Nyandarua, is a stunning mountain range located north of Nairobi, Kenya. Stretching 160 km (99 mi) long, with an average elevation of 3,500 metres (11,480 ft), it traverses the counties of Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, and Laikipia.
The Aberdare Mountains are a vital part of Kenya's ecosystem, offering a unique montane forest environment in a country where only a small percentage of land is covered by forests. The range is a critical water catchment area, feeding four of Kenya’s largest rivers, which supply water and power to major towns, including Nairobi.
Aberdare National Park Landscape
Geographical Overview
The Aberdare Range is situated in west central Kenya, northeast of Naivasha and Gilgil, just south of the Equator. For the Agikuyu people, the mountain range is known as Nyandarua, reflecting its significance in their territory. The western side of the range drops steeply into the Kinangop Plateau and the Great Rift Valley, while the eastern side slopes more gently.
The range reaches a maximum elevation of 3,999 metres (13,120 ft) above sea level, with Mount Kinangop, the second-highest peak, reaching 3,906 metres (12,815 ft). The Aberdares serve as the water catchment area for the Sasumua and Ndakaini dams, providing a significant portion of Nairobi's water supply.
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History and Cultural Significance
Originally known as Nyandarua, meaning "drying hide" in the Kikuyu language, the Aberdare Range was named for its contours resembling the folds of an unspread hide. Throughout history, it has been revered as a holy mountain and one of the abodes of Ngai (God) by the Kikuyu people. Even today, many people climb to its peak for spiritual consultation.
The Aberdare Range was named by Joseph Thomson in 1884 in honor of Lord Aberdare, who was the president of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Historical Society at the time. Aberdare was also a Liberal politician who had served as Home Secretary from 1868 to 1873.
The Aberdare National Game Park was founded in May 1950 to protect the Aberdare Mountains and its wildlife. The park is not only a place of natural beauty but also a site where nature and history converge. One of the most well-known sites in the area is the headquarters of Dedan Kimathi, the leader of the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s. There is a fig tree in front of the Kimathi Post Office which was eventually named after Dedan Kimathi, the Mau Mau leader Field Marshall who was the founder of the Mau Mau group.
During her Kenya Safari Vacation in the Aberdare National Park, Elizabeth II became Queen of the United Kingdom during her time in Kenya.
Aberdare National Park
Established in May 1950, the Aberdare National Park spans 767 sq km and protects the forested slopes and moorlands of the Aberdare Mountain Range. Managed under a MoU between Kenya Wildlife Services and the Forest Department, the park is easily accessible by road, approximately 160km from Nairobi.
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The park is open daily from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, with gates at Ruhuruina, Kiandongoro, Ark, Wandare, and Treetops. Visitors can find accommodation in campsites, self-help bandas, cabins, and the basic Fishing Lodge.
Aberdare National Park
Landscapes and Vegetation
Ranked as the highest park in Africa, Aberdare National Park boasts a wide range of landscapes, with most of its plateau located above 3,000 m. The park features indigenous forests, deep ravines, streams, rivers, and waterfalls.
The Aberdares contain a rich diversity of vegetation. There are 778 vegetation and plant species, subspecies and varieties found in the Aberdare National Park, due to the park's altitude and rainfall. The high moorlands evoke the European highlands, with thistles, tussock grass, lobelia, and giant heathers. Wild flowers like gladioli and daisies add to the scenic beauty.
The mountains have four vegetation zones, including subalpine vegetation, xeromorphic evergreen forest, montane humid forest, and submontane forest.
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- Moorlands: Found at elevations above 3,300 metres (10,800 feet), characterized by alpine grass (Deschampsia), giant groundsell (Dendrosenecio johnstonii), Lobelia deckenii, and heath (Erica mannii).
- Pioneer Species: Dominated by Macaranga capensis and Neoboutonia macrocalyx on the east side of the range.
This rich diversity of vegetation is due to the rich, red volcanic soil which provides excellent growing conditions for the indigenous forest.
Wildlife
Aberdare National Park is home to a variety of animals, including African elephant herds, the huge forest hog, leopards, buffaloes, reed bucks, the black rhinoceros, hyenas, the bongo antelope, the warthog, the Genet cats, wild dogs, the elands, the Columbus monkey, the red duiker, the baboon, the Sykes monkey, among others, as well as a profusion of birds that live in this region.
Although game-viewing is not always easy due to the dense vegetation, some rare sights include lions, the golden cat, and the near-extinct mountain Bongo. This is an ideal haven for endangered species such as the giant forest hog and rare wild dogs.
The bamboo forests here are home to a number of rare species, including the lion, golden cat, as well as bongos, which are hard to find forest antelopes that live in the bamboo forests.
The steep western edges of the hillside are sparsely inhabited by wildlife compared to the forested gentle slopes to the east, which are home to a wide variety of wildlife. There are multitudes of elephants, buffalos, giant forest hogs, hyenas as well as the endangered black rhinos and bongos. A variety of cats including leopards, servals, civet, genet and the rare African golden cat.
Species such as the common eland and serval are found in the higher moorlands. The Aberdare national park is a corridor along which elephants migrate.
Wildlife Highlights:
| Animal | Habitat |
|---|---|
| African Elephant | Various habitats |
| Black Rhino | Forest and moorland |
| Leopard | Various habitats |
| Mountain Bongo | Bamboo forests |
| Giant Forest Hog | Forest |
Waterfalls
One of the iconic features of the Aberdare National Park are the majestic waterfalls plunging from cloud-covered heights and rushing into the ravines. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park is the Karuru waterfall, which is considered as the main waterfall of the park. In addition to the Gura waterfall, which is located opposite the Karuru waterfall, Magura waterfall, which cascades across the yawning mouth of the Queen’s Cave, is another impressive waterfall in the Aberdares National Park.
The Karuru Giant Falls form a cascade of three consecutive waterfalls with a total height of 270 meters. The majestic waters of Aberdares national park are accessed via the Mutubio West Gate, which is approximately 8 kilometers away from the Waterfall lookout point from which a breathtaking view of the falls can be obtained. The hike to the falls takes about 20 minutes through the forest.
Activities and Attractions
The Aberdare Range attracts large numbers of hikers and climbers operating out of the main centers of Naivasha and Gilgil. The lower slopes are farmed, higher areas are known for their wildlife.
Apart from game drives, the park also provides favorable fishing opportunities in the cool mountain streams. Both brown and rainbow trout abound in these streams and provide excellent angling and a sport-fishing license can be obtained at the Park’s office.
One of the most well-known sites in the area is the headquarters of Dedan Kimathi, the leader of the Mau uprising in the 1950s. The Kenyan Mau freed fighters used to carve crevices in the trunk of this tree when they were in rebellion, so they were able to use it as an undisclosed post office, which they used to pass on messages through agents during the period of the Mau-Mau rebellion. Within the Aberdare national park there are communities of the Kikuyu people, and the Kikuyu people believe that the Aberdare mountains are one of the places where Ngai, their god, lives.
If you want to enjoy the nighttime wildlife viewing, both Treetops, also famous for its historical royal connection, and The Ark are the best choices. Visitors can observe different animals, such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos and the like from here.
Accommodation Options:
- Treetops Lodge: Famous for its historical royal connection and nighttime wildlife viewing.
- The Ark: Offers elevated views of wildlife, especially at night.
Go Places Magical Kenya Experience - Aberdare National Park
Conservation Efforts
Over the years, the increasing human population in the prime agricultural land surrounding the Aberdares meant that farming activity was being conducted right up to the national park and forest reserve boundary. Regular crop damage by wildlife, especially elephant, was a major problem for the farmers, who suffered great losses.
At the same time, the wildlife and forests of the Aberdares faced numerous threats arising from human activities, including poaching, bush-meat hunting, snaring, illegal logging, charcoal burning and encroachment.
Over 21 years, what had been originally a 38 km fence along the Park Salient of the Aberdares, became the world’s longest conservation fence, nearly 400 km in length, protecting over 2,000 sq. km of prime forests and water catchments, often referred to as the Aberdare Conservation Area. The fence rises seven feet above the ground.
The fence - completed in 2009 - was built in nine phases which were launched by key Kenyan personalities, including the late Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, Minister for Finance Amos Kimunya, and Minister for Forestry and Wildlife Noah Wekesa.
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