VISIT OF THE ABERDARES

Nature lovers, you will be delighted here. The Aberdares National Park offers a unique atmosphere to its visitors. Located in the heart of one of the highest forested areas in Kenya (the summit is 4,000m), it is full of lush green landscapes, with valleys, dense forests, rivers and beautiful waterfalls. It is impossible to get bored with the variety. Provided you are well equipped (because it can be cold and wet, bring a sweater and something to protect you from head to toe), the hikes are worth the effort. As for the game drives, it is possible to meet many wild animals (elephants, buffalos, monkeys, antelopes, warthogs, leopards...), as well as many species of birds.

In fact, the park can be divided into three distinct parts: the north, which is not very popular; the south, with its impressive waterfalls; and the east, with the small area called Salient. There are also other hiking opportunities within the park. Check with Park Headquarters or the Kenya Mountain Club in Nairobi, as you should be accompanied by an armed ranger, especially in the wooded areas where you may encounter buffalo or elephants.
The trails through the park were made by British troops during the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s. It is indeed in this region, and mainly in the forests of the Aberdares, that the famous Kikuyu fighters hid. Today, this highly agricultural region has one of the highest birth rates in the country. Population growth inevitably leads to deforestation, which is taking on alarming proportions in the Aberdares.

The northern part of the park. It is more difficult to access because the tracks are not always in very good condition. You drive at high altitudes (over 3,000 m) in a beautiful landscape, unfortunately the animals are few and particularly difficult to observe. It is better to visit the rest of the park first, except if you want to climb Ol Doinyo Lesatima (4,000 m), the highest point of the Aberdares. This walk is absolutely exceptional and yet accessible to all. It is possible to go up quite high in a 4WD vehicle, and to continue the ascent of several summits in succession, up to the fourth, Lesatima itself. It takes about 2 hours to reach the fourth peak, Lesatima. At this altitude, it is no longer possible to encounter dangerous animals, so the presence of a ranger is not useful, unless you are afraid of not finding your way, even with a map.

South and Central. These areas are composed of a very dense forest and then, beyond 3 000 m, of an undulating moor where several small streams flow. Elephants can be spotted quite easily and, with a bit of luck, you may come across a leopard or a black serval on the moor around the Fishing Lodge. The big attraction in this part of the park is the numerous waterfalls. Although not as spectacular, the Chania Falls are perhaps the prettiest and offer a pleasant walk of a few minutes. A path allows you to reach the foot of the waterfall. Be careful, the final part is quite steep and can be slippery. The courageous can take a dip in the 12°C water. If you enter through Ruhuruini Gate, the falls are located at the edge of the track, a few kilometres before the Fishing Lodge. Just before a small bridge, there is a grassy area on the left where you can park your vehicle next to an ominous sign that reads "Beware of lions while walking". Rest assured, no one has been eaten yet.

At the southern end of the park, you can admire the impressive Karuru and Gura Falls (nearly 300m each). A small trail has also been built, along with wooden walkways and decks, to provide a variety of views. In good weather, the site is absolutely stunning. When the weather is bad, the fog and the lichens hanging from the branches give the place a certain magic.

The east, or "Salient". This small part of the park, named Salient, is composed of a dense forest dotted with pretty clearings where a great number of animals can be observed. Theoretically, this area is reserved for guests of The Ark and Treetops lodges. However, if you want to do things the right way, it is possible to visit the area after obtaining permission from the Park Headquaters near Mweiga. In this case, take the opportunity to also ask for a guide because it is by far the best solution to discover all the treasures of Salient. Alternatively, those who wish to do so can go directly to the site and explore the area, it is unlikely that their presence will alert anyone. A good guide (they are usually all good guides) will however allow you to easily observe elephants, buffalos, colobus and, with a bit of luck, rhinoceros, lions or bongos. This is the assurance to see many animals and to learn a lot of interesting things about wildlife. On your own, you may drive for hours without seeing anything and get lost in a real maze of tracks, which can also have its charm.