Aberdare National Park is one of the most sought-after destinations in Kenya, it is angelically located in the central part of the country covering most of the Aberdare ranges which are approximately 160 kilometres along the Great Eastern Rift Valley. The is home to abundant wildlife species and was gazette in 1950, it was recognized UNESCO world heritage site as a way of protecting wildlife species of the park including the so-called big five of the wilderness (African elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and Rhinos). The conservation area breeds large populations of the black Rhinos although they are rarely seen due to their protective nature and shyness.
Aberdare National Park features different ecosystems ranging from low forest ones, rain forests, bamboo forests, and moorlands, these act as home to abundant wildlife including,waterbucks, leopards, reedbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, hyenas, dikdik, olive baboons, to mention a few, there are over 250 species that have been recorded in the national park to date. Flying to the Aberdare National Park will take you to see most of this beautiful composition of the national park and also have a chance to meet the Kikuyu natives living in the surrounding communities.
Flying to Aberdare Ranges begins from the closest airport which is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport situated in the capital city of Kenya Nairobi, it is from here that you will connect to the national park to the nearest airstrip as the conservation area does not have its airstrips, there are 2 airstrips the Mweiga and Nanyuki next to the Aberdare national, lodge representatives of guides will then lead you to accommodation facilities that have been booked for your stay overnight.
Flights to Aberdare National Park can be booked directly with the domestic flight handlers or through a ground handling tour operator, it takes about 45 minutes to arrive at the destination, and requirements needed when boarding a flight to the park include a valid passport of least six months to expiry, yellow fever vaccination card, and a visa, and any other important items of personal nature, for example, long-sleeved shirts and trousers,
The best time to fly to Aberdare National Park is during the dry season between the months of December-February and June-September, the weather conditions make it easy to fly, and this is also referred to as a high tourism season hence important to consider having flights booked on time to avoid any inconveniences that come with a large number.
Besides Flying to Aberdare ranges, the other most popular way of reaching the national park is by driving, it takes approximately 150 Kilometers to the national park through the countryside of Kenya, travellers can take private car transfers or public means to the destination which take approximately 2-3 hours drive depending on the traffic of the day and the location of the park where you are heading to.
In conclusion, there are various accommodation facilities in the National Park which you may book for your stay. Example facilities include the Ark Lodge, and Aberdare Country Club to mention a few.