Kenya Mountains, East Africa Mountains,Africa Mountains,The Aberdare Mountain Ranges The Aberdare Mountain Ranges known by the Maasai as "Oldoinyo la Satima "and by the Kikuyu as "Kirima Kia Nyandarua" is a about 160 km long mountain range of highlands north of Nairobi the capital of Kenya and has an average height is 11,000 feet (3,350 m). Oldoinyo la Satima which means 'the mountain of the young bull' is 4,001 meters (13,120 feet) is the highest peak in the Aberdare Range while Mount Kenya with (5,199 m, 17,057 ft), is the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro, lies several kilometres east of the Aberdare Range.
The mountain range is situated on the western part of central Kenya, on the northeastern side of the towns of Naivasha and Gilgil and just south of the Equator. The eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley starts from the Kinangop Plateau, to the Laikipia Escarpment, roughly north to south. The eastern part of the range drops off steeply into the Great Rift Valley with the stunning views of the Lake Naivasha and at a distant the Mau Escarpment. The Aberdare Mountain Ranges stretch high above the plains forming of peaks of over 13,000 feet above sea level and dip into deep, V shaped valleys adorned with streams and rivers cascading over spectacular waterfalls, including Kenya's longest drop of approximately 1,000 feet. The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the East African Great Rift Valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thompsons Falls. Soils are red and of volcanic origin, but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The Aberdare Mountains are one of the homes of ‘Ngai’ which mean God in the Gikuyu Language are located in the heart of the Kikuyu highlands area in central Kenya. To the east of the ranges are the fertile farming lands of the Kikuyu, which were settled by the colonists in the early decades of the twentieth century. The area between the Aberdares and Mount Kenya is part of what became known as the European highlands. The landscape is varied with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins.
The National Park lies mainly above the tree line running along the 10,000ft contour with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the 'salient' area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the 7000ft contour. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the bamboo forest comes to an end giving way to rolling moorlands, where crystal clear streams stocked with abundant trout, while a variety of lobelia, groundsel and heather cover much of the ground. The eland, lion, elephant and buffalo may be found here, in addition to the numerous birds, such as the Jackson's francolin, sparrow hawk, African goshawk, sunbirds and plovers.
The moorland area offers an extremely good scenery and with an excellent opportunity for high altitude hiking and fly-fishing, which is encouraged as the trout is not an indigenous species.
The area is also famous as the 1950s headquarters of the Mau Mau Rebellion, with 'General' Kimathi's hideout still a much-visited attraction. Princess Elizabeth became Queen of the United Kingdom while staying at the now famous Treetops Lodge. The region is very different and unlike landscape from the wide, open plains of the African savanna, the Aberdares have been described as 'Scotland with lions' and is a well worth a stop on any tour of Kenya.Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark & Treetops. Location
The Aberdares Mountain Ranges are located in central highlands, west of Mount Kenya; Nyeri District; Central Province; 766km2.
Climate
Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with precipitation varying from around 1000mm yearly on the north western slopes to as much as 3000mm in the south east. Heavy rainfall occurs through most of the year.
How To Get The The Aberdares Mountain Ranges Roads
The park is readily accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the eastern side (160 kms from Nairobi). A road crosses the park to connect with another from Naivasha and North Kinangop on the west.
The main towns from which the park can be approached are Nyeri (154 km from Nairobi) Nyahururu (188 km from Nairobi) and Naivasha (87 km from Nairobi).
AirstripsMweiga Airstrip, next to the park headquarters or Nyeri Airstrip which is 12 km from Mweiga headquarters. Park Roads
The park has 60km and 396km of primary and secondary roads respectively. The salient has an adequate road network. The central Aberdares is hardly accessible during the wet season and there are few motorable roads in Northern Aberdares which is also cut off from the central Aberdares. Most of the current road network is not accessible during the wet season.
Park Gates
From Nyeri - Ruhuruini gate 20 km, Kiandongoro gate 30 km, Treetops gate 17 km, Ark gate 28 km, Wandare gate 47 km.
From Nyahururu - Rhino gate 48 km, Shamata gate 45 km, Naivasha, Mutubio gate 50 km.
Major Attractions The Aberdares Mountain Ranges
Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark - built in the shape of Noah's Ark. & Treetops tree-house lodge.
Animals parade on the way to the water hole and salt lick therefore observation is done with ease from the balconies of the lodges or still closer at the underground watch tunnel which is very ideal for close up photography animals seen in the area includes the lion, leopard,elephant, buffalo, baboon, black and white Colobus, and sykes monkey. Rarer sightings include those of the Golden Cat and the Bongo - an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland , spotted and melanistic serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. The Aberdare National Park hosts the second largest population of the Black Rhino, that are unique to Kenya. You can indulge in walking, picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson's Francolin, sparry hawk, goshawk, eagle, sunbird and plover.
Accommodation Facilities at the Aberdares Mountain Ranges
Bandas in the Aberdares Mountain Ranges - Fishing Lodge
- Ruhuruini (Tusk Camp)
- Sapper Hut
- KWS Hut at Treetops
- KWS HQ bungalow.
Hotel and Lodges at the Aberdares Mountain Ranges
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