Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
130 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
47
Average
12
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Lucio P
Rome, Italy1,016 contributions
Feb 2020
In my 3rd trip to Kenya I decided to visit this park.
From Lonely Planet guide: "Boasting a large number of elephants as well as black rhinos, Aberdare National Park lures those who want more than just a safari. With dense forests, 300m-high waterfalls and amazing hikes, this park is as much about the flora as it is the fauna".
My experience: As Nakuru, and the whole parks & public reserves I have seen this time, Aberdare is a not well managed park, and that's not because of the necessity I had to rent a jeep, but for the fact that, despite its important extension, just a couple of long routes (not communicating from each other) are available to be covered.
The quality of the roads is terrible.
By the way, the jeep I rent (from a certain Mr. Ben Wangombe Kamau), stopped in the middle of the nothing inside the park, because there was no water into the radiator and I have felt lost, eventually wasting 1 hour of my time, while the driver (Mr. Benson, a good one) was trying to fix the problem (there wasnt even a small tank or bottle of water in the car).
About the park: the landscape is superb somewhere, the waterfalls nice (but the best one of the 5, Karura Falls, were not accessible) and I also saw a leopard showing his back before disappearing in the bush.
But I feel a totally lack of comunion between the road we hit and the nature around.
Maybe it’s a park which deserves more time to be discovered.
Ark Lodge is a must, despite the room being very narrow, but after 7 hours in the jeep I didnt take notice of that, being totally worn out.
From Lonely Planet guide: "Boasting a large number of elephants as well as black rhinos, Aberdare National Park lures those who want more than just a safari. With dense forests, 300m-high waterfalls and amazing hikes, this park is as much about the flora as it is the fauna".
My experience: As Nakuru, and the whole parks & public reserves I have seen this time, Aberdare is a not well managed park, and that's not because of the necessity I had to rent a jeep, but for the fact that, despite its important extension, just a couple of long routes (not communicating from each other) are available to be covered.
The quality of the roads is terrible.
By the way, the jeep I rent (from a certain Mr. Ben Wangombe Kamau), stopped in the middle of the nothing inside the park, because there was no water into the radiator and I have felt lost, eventually wasting 1 hour of my time, while the driver (Mr. Benson, a good one) was trying to fix the problem (there wasnt even a small tank or bottle of water in the car).
About the park: the landscape is superb somewhere, the waterfalls nice (but the best one of the 5, Karura Falls, were not accessible) and I also saw a leopard showing his back before disappearing in the bush.
But I feel a totally lack of comunion between the road we hit and the nature around.
Maybe it’s a park which deserves more time to be discovered.
Ark Lodge is a must, despite the room being very narrow, but after 7 hours in the jeep I didnt take notice of that, being totally worn out.
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ankeet_sinha
Ahmedabad, India2,837 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Average park with very dense woodlands. We didnt spend too much time there but from
What we could figure out and with the locals there are hardly any cats and hyenas are the apex predators which we saw just one. Better parks to see in the country.
What we could figure out and with the locals there are hardly any cats and hyenas are the apex predators which we saw just one. Better parks to see in the country.
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sailepu Safari Adventures
Nairobi Region, Kenya38 contributions
Oct 2024 • Business
Very beautiful scenery, the air is quite fresh and relaxing. Lucky enough to have seen a young adult leopard. Roads are clearly and well marked. Numerous gates so easy for you to exit at your preferred point depending on where you're headed next.
Written November 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave J
Liverpool, UK975 contributions
Jul 2022
Aberdare National Park Kenya, was are first stop after are flight and for having lunch before we went on to are Ark Lodge, for over night stop. The wild life you see up close was a wonderful experience. and you seen different animals all the time. the lunch we had was first class and staff very friendly and polite.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pathway safaris - Kenya
Malindi, Kenya625 contributions
Feb 2020
An amazing cool place to be, stunning place stuck in the lush forest of Aberdare, home to the rare Bongo Antelope, and the Ark lodge with a British Royal connection
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simanti t
23 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
We visited Aberdare in August 2018 for a night and stayed at the Ark Lodge. While it was very different from the other parks which we visited (Masai Mara, Ol Pejeta) with it's thick vegetation, lush green jungle on both sides, I am not sure it was worth the long drive there, especially with the limited time we had. We did see a group of elephants near the watering hole, along with buffaloes, hyenas, and a few other animals.
On hindsight, I would have chosen to spend the extra day in Masai Mara, and if you are visiting Kenya for a week or less, I would advise to prioritize other parks over this one.
On hindsight, I would have chosen to spend the extra day in Masai Mara, and if you are visiting Kenya for a week or less, I would advise to prioritize other parks over this one.
Written September 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex Matimu
Nairobi, Kenya73 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Very scenic park with lots of touristic activities. For the trekkers and hikers, the park is a haven with lots hills and vantage points. The moorland is just amazing. Quite cold though. Lovely accessible waterfalls. Lots of historical and conservation significance.
Unique chance of seeing the rare and elusive bongo.
Four wheel drive vehicle highly recommended.
Unique chance of seeing the rare and elusive bongo.
Four wheel drive vehicle highly recommended.
Written July 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonyaclairelewis
London, UK160 contributions
Mar 2018
a good park, we did see some Sykes Monkeys which we had never seen before and some Colobus Monkeys but apart from that all we saw were hundreds of Buffalos, not even many buck, which made us wonder what the big cats were eating! we wanted to go here primarily to go to Treetops Lodge, obviously famous for where the queen was staying when her father died.
Written March 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth G
Voi, Kenya33 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
I loved this Place. Its a great place to be all year round. YOU NEED A 4WD. The Park has several entry gates, I accessed it from Njabi-ini, ndunyu njeru, Engineer route entering from MUTUBIO WEST GATE, and drove through exiting from Nyeri side at Ruhuru-ini Gte. The roads are dry weather kind mostly passable when its dry. the best time to go without a 4WD is JANUARY. If you have to tour after January, you need to have a 4WD. Karuru Falls, Chania Falls, Mau Mau caves, AND the camping Cabins ... these place is Amazing for Nature lovers.
Written August 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidule05
France1,904 contributions
Aug 2022
I stayed 2 days in Aberdare national Park in August 2022. The landscape of the park is beautiful and varied; it is composed of forest mountains and savannah with many flowers ; there are many fine waterfalls and swamps where animals come to drink. The fauna in Aberdare national Park is rich, including the rare and beautiful bongos. In the park, during safaris, we have seen:
- herds of majestic elephants with babies : unforgettable and fantastic!!!
-giant forest hogs
- spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals
- other mammals, e.g.: buffalos, impalas, warthogs…
- a lot of colouful birds.
Taken together, I highly recommend to visit Aberdare national Park.
- herds of majestic elephants with babies : unforgettable and fantastic!!!
-giant forest hogs
- spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals
- other mammals, e.g.: buffalos, impalas, warthogs…
- a lot of colouful birds.
Taken together, I highly recommend to visit Aberdare national Park.
Written September 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I wanted to visit the Aberdere NP in two weeks, for a couple of days, is it necessary to have a safari tour organised or can we go on our own? And get maps and trekking recommendations in the park entrance?
Thanks
Written August 11, 2019
I would recommend having a guide so he/she can take you to the best spots / hikes but it's definitely doable by yourself. You will have some information at the entrance but it's more an office for registering and paying the fees than anything touristic really. Maybe download a few maps on your side too. Ad ask your lodge/hotel for tips, they'll be of good advice
Written August 27, 2019
Hi Tina, we're planning a visit to Kenya in August and will stay for one night at the Ark. I'd then really like to drive across the Aberdare National Park over a day, to end up at Lake Naivasha (or Lake Nakuru if that's practical).
I've read lots of people saying a drive through the park is great, but I can't find a lot of practical details like where to enter and exit and a map of the road/track links. Can you point me anywhere or give any advice?
Written May 4, 2018
We didn’t actually do a game drive from Aberdar. In fact we only looked at the animals from their viewing areas as we too were only there for one night. Having said that we saw lots of wild animals.
One tip I would give you is to befriend the ranger as he feeds lots of birds, generates and Bush babies and he is very friendly to visitors.
Written May 5, 2018
What type of clothing should I bring? I've seen temperature predictions for November ranging from th 30s -90s (Fahrenheit)?
Written September 24, 2017
It get's really cold late in the afternoon from 4pm onwards all the way to 8-9am in the morning. So t-shirt, warm jackets - if possible carry two of them. Warm pants with warmers would be good. Late morning and early afternoon can get pretty hot so you can carry a tshirt and shorts for that.
Written November 6, 2017
I would say don't expect to see any especially in the aberdares.
Have been there like 3 times and I haven't come across one
Written December 7, 2016
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