Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    Aberdare National Park
    Raidarmax / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Kenya

    Aberdare National Park

    Point of Interest

    The Aberdare National Park protects the highlands of the Aberdare Range between 2,000 and 4,000 meters, about 150 kilometers north of Nairobi near Nyeri.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Kenya
    7. Mount Kenya, Laikipia & Samburu
    9. Aberdare National Park
    The Aberdare National Park protects the highlands of the Aberdare Range between 2,000 and 4,000 meters, about 150 kilometers north of Nairobi near Nyeri. Misty mountain forest, moorland, and waterfalls such as the Karuru Falls characterize the park, which was founded in 1950.It became known for the Treetops tree lodge, where Elizabeth II became queen in 1952.

    Sights in Aberdare National Park

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Gura Falls
    Historic Landmark

    1Gura Falls

    Waterfall on the opposite side of the same gorge as the Karuru Falls, plunging deep into the valley floor.
    Open in Google Maps
    Karuru Waterfall
    Attraction

    2Karuru Waterfall

    Three-tiered waterfall with an approximate total height of 273 meters, often referred to as Kenya's highest. From the viewpoint, you primarily see the uppermost tier; most visitors arrive via the Mutubio West Gate.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Aberdare National Park

    History and Nature

    Treetops and the QueenIn 1952, Princess Elizabeth was staying at Treetops Lodge when her father died, and she became Queen there. Treetops remained empty for three years and reopened after renovation under new management, with reports from 2025 describing the refurbished property.Lodges at the WaterholeTreetops and The Ark stand on stilts above illuminated waterholes with salt licks. The Ark has three decks with balconies and viewing rooms.Rare InhabitantsShy species like the Bongo and the African Golden Cat live in the dense forest; sightings are rare. The highest peaks are Ol Donyo Lesatima, at around 4,000 meters, and Kinangop.

    Useful Information

    Getting ThereThe park is accessible via Nyeri and Naro Moru. Most visitors travel to the Karuru Falls via the Mutubio West Gate.EntryThe park is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, with payments processed through the eCitizen portal. According to KWS, adult non-resident entry costs 70 US dollars per day from October 2025.Staying in the Tree LodgesTreetops and The Ark are only accessible with a prior booking.Guests check in at a base hotel, such as the Outspan Hotel in Nyeri or the Aberdare Country Club, and are then transferred to the lodge.You cannot drive directly to the lodges with your own vehicle.

    Accommodations in Aberdare National Park

    Find perfect stay in Aberdare National Park

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Nearby

    Naivasha

    Naivasha

    Naivasha is located approximately 93 road kilometers northwest of Nairobi on the freshwater lake of the same name. Hippos, over 400 bird species, and its proximity to Hell's Gate and Mount Longonot make the lake a popular weekend destination and the first leg of many safaris through the Rift Valley.The town itself is a bustling agricultural center, with accommodations and restaurants primarily lining Moi South Lake Road on the southern shore.
    Ol Pejeta Conservancy

    Ol Pejeta Conservancy

    Ol Pejeta is a non-profit Wildlife Conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau directly west of Nanyuki, covering approximately 360 square kilometers and straddling the equator. It is considered East Africa's largest sanctuary for black rhinos and the last refuge for northern white rhinos.In addition to the Big Five, rescued chimpanzees live here in the Sweetwaters Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can see these great apes.
    Lake Elmenteita

    Lake Elmenteita

    Lake Elmenteita is a small soda lake between Naivasha and Nakuru, about 120 km northwest of Nairobi near the Nairobi-Nakuru-Highway. The lake is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kenyan Rift Valley Lakes, attracts large flamingo flocks depending on water levels, and is the last remaining breeding ground for pelicans in Kenya.Two-thirds of its shoreline belong to the Soysambu Conservancy, a private ranch owned by the Delamere family, featuring zebras, giraffes, and gazelles.
    Great Rift Valley

    Great Rift Valley

    Northwest and southwest of Nairobi, the land drops steeply into the East African Rift Valley: a chain of lakes, extinct volcanoes, and gorges, which you can reach from the capital in one to two hours by car. Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, and Lake Nakuru are situated close together here, making them ideal for a first safari leg or for hiking and cycling.Three of the soda lakes – Nakuru, Elmenteita, and Bogoria – have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley" since 2011, one of the most important feeding grounds for the lesser flamingo worldwide.
    Mount Longonot National Park

    Mount Longonot National Park

    Mount Longonot is a 2,776 m high volcano southeast of Lake Naivasha, approximately 60 km northwest of Nairobi, and a classic day trip destination for hikers from Nairobi. From the park entrance, you ascend to the crater rim in about one to one and a half hours, looking into the crater and over the Rift Valley, which the volcano towers over by approximately 1,000 m.Those who circumnavigate the entire crater rim will be on the move for a total of about five to six hours from the gate.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI