National park · Kenya
Aberdare National Park
Enter Aberdare National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 4WD road to the Ark lodge gate, and hike the Karuru waterfall trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) before 6:15 PM; visit in the dry months Jan–Feb or Jul–Aug for better wildlife spotting.Enter Aberdare National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 4WD road to the Ark lodge gate, and hike the Karuru waterfall trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) before 6:15 AM PM; visit in the dry months Jan–Feb or Jul–Aug for better wildlife spotting.Enter Aberdare National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 4WD road to the Ark lodge gate, and hike the Karuru waterfall trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) before 6:15 PM; visit in the dry months Jan–Feb or Jul–Aug for better wildlife spotting.Enter Aberdare National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 4WD road to the Ark lodge gate, and hike the Karuru waterfall trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) before 6:15 AM PM; visit in the dry months Jan–Feb or Jul–Aug for better wildlife spotting.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
767 km² (296 sq mi)296 sq mi (767 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Jul–Aug, Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 767 km² (296 sq mi)296 sq mi (767 km²)
- 767 km² (check)
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Jul–Aug, Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Nairobi
Aberdare National Park protects high‑altitude forest, waterfalls and a range of wildlife including rare bongo, leopard and black rhino; it offers easy waterfall walks, trout fishing and game drives from the Ark and Treetops lodges.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
767 km² (296 sq mi)296 sq mi (767 km²) · national park since 2000
767 km² (check)
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Nairobi.
Why go
- Highland forest habitat with the rare bongo, leopard and black rhino.
- Waterfalls such as Karuru and Gura provide scenic short hikes.
- Trout fishing in clear mountain streams.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good wildlife visibility
- FebDry, cool; good wildlife visibility
- MarStart of rains; trails may be muddy
- AprRainy season; some roads impassable
- MayRainy season; 4WD needed
- JunRain tapering; still good for birding
- JulDry, cooler; excellent trekking
- AugDry, cooler; excellent trekking
- SepRain starts again
- OctRainy; roads may close
- NovRainy; trails slippery
- DecShort rains, but wildlife active
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bongo antelope, leopard, black rhino, elephant, buffaloAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Aberdare cisticola (endemic bird)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nairobi
Drive A2 north via Thika, then Nyeri‑Nyahururu road to the park gates (approx. 180 km (112 mi)). 4WD recommended.Drive A2 north via Thika, then Nyeri‑Nyahururu road to the park gates (approx. 112 mi (180 km)). 4WD recommended.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Mweiga airstrip
Small charter flight to Mweiga, then 30 min 4WD drive to park gates.
≈1 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ark Lodge area | Main gate, visitor centre, short trails to Karuru waterfall and salt lick. | Open with entry ticket; 4WD road. |
| Treetops area | Border lodge with views of Nyeri; access to nearby walking paths. | Open with entry ticket; 4WD road. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from park centre; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, adult) | Free | person | Fee not listed in source; check official KWS rates |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Vehicle type
- 4WD required for most park roads; 2WD may be blocked.
- Entry time
- Park open 06:00–19:00; no foot entry after 18:15.Park open 6:00 AM–7:00 PM; no foot entry after 6:15 PM.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated lodges; only stay at Ark or Treetops.
Where to stay
In the park
The Ark Lodge
Lodge with rooms, electricity, water, and wildlife viewing platforms.
In the park
Treetops Lodge
Historic lodge with communal facilities; views of Nyeri town.
Near the park
Nyeri town
Budget hotels and guesthouses 20 km (12 mi) from park gates.Budget hotels and guesthouses 12 mi (20 km) from park gates.
Safety
Steep, slippery trails after rain medium
Wildlife encounters on roads medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park gate reachable by car; short walks from lodge to trails are level.
- Steeper trails and 4WD roads not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that follow park waste‑management rules.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep a safe distance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Aberdare National Park?
Entry fees are set by Kenya Wildlife Service; the exact amount is not listed in the source, so check the latest KWS rates before you go.
What are the best hikes in Aberdare National Park?
Short, easy hikes to Karuru and Gura waterfalls (≈2 km each) and longer forest walks from the Ark lodge to the salt lick (≈4 km).
When is the best time to visit Aberdare National Park?
The dry months Jan–Feb and Jul–Aug give the best wildlife visibility and road conditions.
Can I camp in Aberdare National Park?
Camping is not permitted outside the two lodges; stay at Ark or Treetops for overnight accommodation.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
Yes, most park roads become impassable for 2WD, especially after rains.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Aberdare National Park
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