Aberdare Mountains National Park

Aberdare National Park, established in 1950 and probably most famous for treetops gets her name from the Aberdare or Nyandarua mountains which are an isolated volcanic range that forms the easternmost wall of the Gregory Rift Valley, to the east of the high Kinangop/Laikipia plateau. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima at 3,999 m to the north and Kinangop at 3,906 m to the south, separated by a long ‘saddle’ of land above 3,000 m. The small peak of Kipipiri at 3,349 m flanks the main range to the west, linked to it by a formerly forested valley at around 2,700 m. Deep ravines cut through the forested eastern and western flanks, and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with precipitation varying from 1,000 mm on the drier north-western slopes to as much as 3,000 mm in the south-east. The vegetation varies with altitude

The National Park lies mainly above the tree line, with some forest and scrub at lower altitudes in the so-called ‘salient’ near Nyeri. The Aberdares Forest Reserve of 103,300 ha large occupies the lower slopes, in three main blocks that almost surround the park, with Kipipiri Forest Reserve of 5,100 ha tacked on to the east. The Aberdares are extremely an important water catchment for the Tana River system, for the northern Ewaso Nyiro River, and for Lake Naivasha, and provide much of the water supply for Nairobi and adjoining Districts.

Birdwatching Aberdare National Park

The park boasts of an over 200 species bird checklist including the globally threatened Sharpe’s Longclaw, Aberdare Cisticola, Abbott’s Starling, and Jackson’s Widowbird. The range-restricted Aberdare Cisticola occurs locally in the tussock moorland, with densities of around 3.2 birds/ha in suitable habitat; more than 20,000 pairs are estimated to occur. The Red-tufted Sunbird is found on high peaks, foraging largely on lobelias while other montane Sunbirds are common at slightly lower altitudes.

The Aberdare region also contains three other Kenyan Important Bird Areas, namely; Mukurweini Valleys which are located in south-east of the Aberdares- an ideal habitat for Lantana species hence a suitable area for Hinde’s Babbler. This is a special attraction at a small, privately owned- Wajee Camp bird sanctuary. Kikuyu Escarpment Forest which is a southerly continuation of the Aberdare forest yet with a number of species which aren’t found in the Aberdares, namely; Orange Ground Thrush, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet and Abbott’s Starling which is scarcely researched. Kinangop Grasslands which are on a plateau west of the Aberdares. The Kinangop grasslands are the major spot for the Sharpe’s Longclaw, one of Kenya’s national endemics.

Other wildlife includes; the African Lion, Leopard, Baboon, Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, and Sykes monkey. There are records of a sighting of the elusive Golden Cat and the Bongo Antelope which is known to live in the bamboo forest

It was at the famous Treetops of Aberdare Mountains where British Princess Elizabeth was informed that she had become Queen in 1952 on news of her father’s death.