Moorland, Forest & Waterfalls
The Aberdare National Park protects one of Kenya's most dramatically varied landscapes — from dense montane rainforest through bamboo zones to open montane moorland at nearly 4,000 metres. The Aberdare Range forms part of the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley and is one of the most important water towers in East Africa, feeding rivers that supply water to millions of Kenyans.
The park is perhaps best known internationally as the place where Princess Elizabeth learned she had become Queen of England in 1952 — staying in the famous Treetops Lodge, built in the branches of a giant fig tree overlooking a floodlit waterhole. The tradition of watching wildlife by night from tree-lodges and treetop platforms is unique to the Aberdares and remains one of Kenya's most atmospheric safari experiences.
Wildlife in the Aberdares includes the rare bongo antelope (one of the few places in Kenya to see this elusive forest antelope), leopard, black rhino, elephant, giant forest hog and colobus monkey. The moorland supports the secretive serval and the uncommon striped hyena.
Why Dawn Safaris Loves It
- The iconic Treetops experience — watching wildlife at night from a tree-lodge
- Best place in Kenya to see the rare and beautiful mountain bongo
- Giant forest hog, colobus monkey and rare leopards in dense forest
- Spectacular Chania and Karura waterfalls — among Kenya's most beautiful
- A genuinely cool, misty highland experience at 3,000m+
