Aberdare Range Mountains

Address: Aberdare Range (Aberdare Mountains), Nyeri County, Kenya

The Aberdare Range is a highland mountain chain in central Kenya, running north of Mount Kenya and forming part of the country’s eastern highlands. It comprises steep forested slopes, moorland plateaus and river valleys and is a prominent upland feature in central Kenya.

Vegetation zones include dense montane forest at lower elevations and alpine moorland toward the summits, providing habitat for a variety of large mammals and bird species. Several watersheds rise in the range and feed rivers that flow toward the Rift Valley and coastal plains.

The area has been set aside in large parts as protected land, including the Aberdare National Park, to conserve wildlife and watersheds. The highest peaks exceed 4,000 metres and the landscape includes ridges, valleys and waterfalls used for trekking and wildlife viewing.

Geographically the range lies inland from Kenya’s central plateau, north of Nairobi and close to towns such as Nyeri; it forms a natural barrier and a significant watershed region in central Kenya.

• Highest point: Highest peaks rise above 4,000 metres, with Mount Satima often cited as the range’s summit.
• Wildlife and protection: Contains extensive montane forest, moorland and protected areas that form the Aberdare National Park, which supports elephants, buffalo and several endemic species.

The Aberdare Range (central Kenya) is accessed by road from nearby towns such as Nyeri and Nanyuki and from Nairobi. Visitors normally drive into Aberdare National Park or to trailheads on the park roads; from Nairobi the drive to the Aberdares is commonly a several-hours road journey depending on the chosen route and park gate.

• Book a stay at a dedicated Aberdare lodge with waterhole viewing (for example The Ark or Treetops) to see wildlife come to drink-these lodges fill up quickly so reserve early.
• Plan game drives for early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active; roads inside the range and park can be rough, so travel in a 4x4 with a licensed guide.
• Check gate opening times and park notices with Kenya Wildlife Service before you go and approach the area from Nyeri/Naro Moru for the most reliable road access from Nairobi.
• Visit during the drier months (roughly June-September and January-February) when tracks are easier to navigate and wildlife is often more concentrated at water sources.