ABERDARE NATIONAL PARKS

Encircled by the wild and beautiful moorlands of the third highest mountain range in Kenya, this atmospheric Park offers a mist wreathed realm where elephants roam through lichen-hung forests, spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools, and trout-filled streams cascade through mossy dells. A haven for anglers, walkers and lovers of solitude alike, it also offers matchless views of the glittering coronet of Mount Kenya and sparkling lakes of the great Rift Valley.

 The park is also famous for freedom fighters hideouts(the Mau Mau), where they are Mau Mau caves that were being used by field marshal General Dedan Kimathi and his Mau Mau prior to independence. The Kimathi ''post office'', where agents used to drop messages for Mau Mau fighters led by the legendary Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi in the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya forests.

 Believed by the Kikuyu to be one of the homes of Ngai(God) and originally known as 'Nyandarua'( the dying hide) due to the distinctive folds of its silhouettes, the range was renamed in 1884 by the explorer, Joseph Thompson, after Lord Aberdare, the President of the Royal Geographical Society. Dubbed the 'White Highlands' because of the large numbers of  Europeans who settled there in the 1920's, the area also achieved notoriety due to the decadent antics of the 'Happy Valley Set' of the Wanjohi Valley.

 Also during the 1950's, the dense forests and bamboo thickets witnessed much of the action between the british forces and the Mau Mau freedom fighters. The original 'Treetops' hotel fell under the spotlight of the world when the young Princess Elizabeth descended its steps as Queen Elizabeth 2 of England in 1952.

 The Park provides a unique habitat for approximately two thousand elephants, which roam the clouded hills and misty guides and provide endless atmospheric viewing opportunities. The Park is also renowned for its torrential waterfalls plunging from cloud-shrouded heights to spray-filled ravines.

 They include the magnificent Karura Falls, which drop 300m, the impressive Gura Falls which torrent from the opposite side of the same gorge,  the sheeer drop of the Chania Falls, and the enchanting Maruga Falls which cascade across the yawning mouth of the Queen's cave.

 You don't have to be a mountaneer to climb the peaks of th aberdare, most of which can be conquered with little more than strainuous high altitude trekking. There is also countless panaromic moorland hikes and forest walks. Permission is required from the warden to walk, hike or climb in the park and you must be accompanied by an armed KWS Ranger,whose servicescan be booked by contacting the Warden, preferably in advance.
Both brown and rainbow trout is in plenty in the cool mountain streams and provide excellent angling.( A sports fishing liscense can be obtained at the Park Gates.

 There are many places where you could find accomodation which are the Ark, the Aberdare Country Club and ofcourse the world famous tree house Lodge, TREETOPS. (You get to view wildlife from the comfort of the treetops balconies as there is a waterhole nearby. In fact the only thing that separates you from them is an electric fence!!!).