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Background Information
The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. Soils are red and of volcanic origin, but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins.
The National Park lies mainly above the tree line running along the 10,000ft contour with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the 'salient' area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the 7000ft contour
The unusual vegetation, rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest, whose management is under an MoU between KWS and the Forest Department.
Location:
Central highlands, west of Mount Kenya; Nyeri District;
Central Province;
766km2.
Climate:
Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with
precipitation
varying from around 1000mm yearly on the north western slopes to
as much
as 3000mm in the south east. Heavy rainfall occurs through most
of the
year.
HOW TO GET THERE
Roads
The park is readily accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and Naro
Moru
on the eastern side (160 kms from Nairobi). A road crosses the
park to
connect with another from Naivasha and North Kinangop on the
west.
The main towns from which the park can be approached are Nyeri (154 km from Nairobi) Nyahururu (188 km from Nairobi) and Naivasha (87 km from Nairobi).
Airstrips
Mweiga Airstrip, next to the park headquarters or Nyeri
Airstrip which
is 12 km from Mweiga headquarters.
Park
Roads
The park has 60km and 396km of primary and secondary roads
respectively.
The salient has an adequate road network. The central Aberdares
is hardly
accessible during the wet season and there are few motorable
roads in
Northern Aberdares which is also cut off from the central
Aberdares. Most
of the current road network is not accessible during the wet
season.
Park
Gates
From Nyeri - Ruhuruini gate 20 km, Kiandongoro gate 30 km,
Treetops
gate 17 km, Ark gate 28 km, Wandare gate 47 km.
From Nyahururu - Rhino gate 48 km, Shamata gate 45 km, Naivasha,
Mutubio
gate 50 km.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark & Treetops.
FACILITIES
Bandas:
Fishing Lodge; Ruhuruini (Camp Tusk); Sapper Hut; KWS Hut at
Treetops;
KWS HQ bungalow.
