Aberdare National Park

Aberdare National Park, in Kenya's central highlands, is named after the Aberdare Range. It is famous for its Big Five with over 2,000 elephants. It's also home to rare animals like the bongo antelope. The park includes Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a vital sanctuary for endangered white and black rhinos, boasting Kenya's second-largest black rhino herd.

The park covers an area of 766 square kilometres and is a haven for bird watchers, with over 290 bird species. Its diverse landscapes include forests, moorlands, waterfalls, and rivers.  The park also features attractions like Chania Falls, Karuru Falls, and Kikuyu Village. Visitors can enjoy unique tree lodges with elevated views of wildlife at waterholes. Notably, the park is home to Morani, a famous resident rhino.

Entry Fees:
Park Entry Fee Per Person:
Citizen: Adult – KSH 300, Child – KSH 215
Resident: Adult – KSH 300, Child KSH 215
Non-Residents: Adult – USD 52, Child – USD 26

Vehicle Fee Per Day:
Less than 6 seats - KSH 300
6 to 12 seats - KSH 1030
13 to 24 seats - KSH 2585
25 to 44 seats - KSH 4050
45 seats and above - KSH 5000

Special Activity Charges:
Night Game Drive (per person per trip) – KSH 2155
Guided Tours (per guide up to 4 hours & over 4 hours) – KSH 1720 / KSH 3015
Horse Riding (without rider) – KSH 2585
Private horses (per day) – KSH 1030
Walking Safaris (per person per day) – KSH 1500
Cycling (per day) – KSH 215

Entrance Gates and Timings:
Aberdare National Park offers multiple entrance gates for convenient access to its diverse landscapes and wildlife.
1. Main Gate (Kiandongoro Gate): The Main Gate is located near Nyeri town, approximately 150 kilometres north of Nairobi. It is the main entrance point to the park allowing visitors to enter and exit the park.
2. Treetops Gate: The Treetops Gate is situated near the famous Treetops Lodge, known for its unique location overlooking a watering hole. It is the nearest gate to the Mweiga airstrip.
3. Ark Gate: It serves as an entry point to the park from the eastern side and is closer to the town of Nyeri.
4. Karuru Falls Gate: The Karuru Falls Gate is located close to Karuru Falls, a stunning waterfall within the park. This gate allows visitors to access the Karuru Falls area.
5. Mutubio Gate: The Mutubio Gate is situated near the southern end of Mutubio Swamp, known for its rich biodiversity. It is close to the town of Ruhuruini.
6. Ruhuruini Gate: The Ruhuruini Gate is located near the Ruhuruini River, on the eastern side of the park. It is the lesser-used gate and can be avoided during rain.
7. Shamata Gate: This gate is closer to the eastern side of the Aberdare Ranges. It provides entry to the park from the town of Shamata.
8. Rhino Gate: It serves as an entry point to the park from the western side and is closer to the town of Njabini.
9. Wandere Gate: It serves as an entry point from the western side of the park and is closer to the town of Naivasha.
All the gates are open throughout the year, typically from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.