Aberdares National Park is part of the Aberdares mountain ranges; the mountain range slopes on the western side of the wall, adjacent to the Rift Valley, are steep compared to the eastern slopes. The eastern slopes, due to its contour and altitude make it favorable to the wildlife habitat. The Aberdares Mountain ranges peak at a height of 4000 meters above sea level. Aberdares mountain ranges are part of Kenya's well-known mountains. Some others are Mount Kenya, Mount Meru, Mount Longonot, and Mount Elgon.

Although Aberdares National Parks ranges are often referred to as the Aberdares , they have has actually been renamed to The Nyandarua(s). In 1884, Joseph Thomson, a British explorer, christened the Aberdares after Lord Aberdare.

Aberdares was confirmed a national park in 1950, two years after Amboseli National Park . The vegetation of the reserve is separated between the high moorland and the "Treetops and The Ark" Salient, where there is an abundance of wildlife. The mountainous moorlands have three peaks namely: The highest, Ol Doinyo Satima located on the northern edge, Kinangop in the south and Kipipiri near the "happy valley" in the west.

The Aberdares Park can be accessed via four gates: Wanderis, Kiandongoro, Shamata, and the Rhino gate.
Because this region of the country is blessed with good rainfall, many tourists also opt for a one day fishing safari on the Karura and Chania Rivers. The controlled swollen rivers put forth a challenge to skilled trout seeking anglers.

The Aberdares also has three falls, the Chania, Gura and Karura Falls created by the above-mentioned rivers. Viewing of the falls can be done, if accompanied by an armed guide. The Karura Falls has the deepest drop, plunging more than 300 meters, and has two viewing stations on either side.

There is a wide variety of animals seen at the Aberdares National Park . Some of the most commonly see are: bongos, buffalos, elephants, lions, serval cat, warthogs, bushpigs, eland, bushbucks, reedbucks, Sykes monkey, and rhinoceros. A note about rhinos: the Aberdares National Park contains one of the fewest surviving population of black rhinos as opposed to the white rhinos. The Rhinoceros are mostly "looked after" by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Your safari vehicle driver normally drives you to the location of these wonderful creatures, where they were last seen.

Finally, the Aberdares National Park also holds a place in history. It was a hideout location for the Mau-Mau rebels in their struggle for an independent Kenya from their colonial rulers.

National Park - 767 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Services

The Aberdare National Park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, a fascinating region of Kenya. According to traditional Kikuyu folklore they are one of the homes of Ngai (God).
Mountain ranges and peaks soar to around 12,900ft (3,930m) giving way to deep V-shaped valleys with streams and rivers cascading over spectacular waterfalls - this area is a must for landscape lovers. From its vital catchment area the Aberdare Rainforest feeds the entire local and Nairobi water supply. Above the forest is a belt of bamboo, a favourite haunt of the Bongo, a rare and elusive forest antelope. At 10,000ft (3,000m), the bamboo gives way to moorland, home to eland, spotted and melanistic serval cats. Other features are the giant alpine varieties of lobelia, groundsel and heather. Ideal for walking, picnics, camping and trout fishing in the rivers, the moorlands are reminiscent of the European highlands.

Deep ravines cut through the forested inclines, through which hidden trout streams flow and waterfalls cascade down hundreds of feet of rock face.

Above the forest stretch miles of open moorlands, broken by lichen - covered rocky outcrops, hills and crags, thickets of giant heath and tussock-grass bogs.

In the forest are red Duiker, suni, Bushbuck - some of the old males are nearly black - Elephant, Buffalo, Giant Forest Hog, Leopard- all black examples have been recorded - and colobus monkey.

The moorland thickets are the home of Bush Duiker and Black - fronted Duiker and also the Black Rhino.

Bird life is abundant and varied. Perhaps the most conspicuous group is the sunbirds. Four species may be seen - Tacazze sunbird, brilliant metallic violet and bronze with a black belly; Golden-winged sunbird, scintillating coppery-bronze with golden yellow edged wings and tail; the emerald green Malachite Sunbird, and the tiny double collared Sunbird with metallic green upperparts and throat and scarlet chest band.