About 2 and a half hours drive north from Nairobi lies one of the forgotten gems of wildlife tourism in Kenya, the Aberdare National Park. This park, founded in 1950, is 766 km2 in size, but it is unusual for the sheer variety of terrain. It cuts through the eponymous mountain range and encapsulates mountain peaks intersected by streams and waterfalls to dense forest and moorland.
Carving your way through the thick rainforest in your Land Rover, you would come across a glade with hundreds of buffalo.
The viewpoints are amongst the most sublime in Africa (sublime is an adjective which I cannot underuse for this continent.) We picnicked on a point with clear views of the snow-capped Mount Kenya a hundred kilometres away. The wildlife thrives in this fertile mountainous environment. As well as the big 5, you could be rewarded with a rare sighting of a mountain bongo or my preferred monkey, the black and white colobus.
Part of why this area is neglected on the tourist circuit has been the quality of accommodation. Old lodges coupled with under-investment equalled undesirable places for tourists to visit. This is changing. Just outside the park lies the colonial Aberdare Country Club. A club in name only, this colonial establishment with its own wildlife park and golf course is paired with the Ark lodge within the park. The Ark, so named as it in the form of a giant (Noah's) Ark, has been recently and tastefully refurbished and offers comfortable (if small) rooms with large viewing galleries and walkways. This is the prime reason why people visit this lodge. It is perched above a vast water hole that comes alive at dusk and night with the tread of herds of elephant and buck of all descriptions. One of the most thrilling experiences is descending into the bottom-most floor of the Ark and viewing these graceful giants through windowless loopholes only a few feet away from you.
Another pairing of establishments is the old colonial Outspan Hotel in Nyeri with Treetops Lodge within the park. Unless the other pair, little investment has been made in these establishments within recent years. This is a great pity. The Outspan represents old Africa, and like most of these hotels, they were well situated with the most stunning views and enjoyed generous and rich grounds. Treetops is mostly associated with the current Queen Elizabeth. It is there that she learnt for the first time that her father, King George, had died and that she would be Queen. The lodge has lived off this historic moment ever since and is a tired remnant of a great past. It is still worth visiting just for the views. Like the Ark, this lodge on stilts overlooks a watering hole with a salt lick. With floodlights at night illuminating the hole, you will see a microcosm of the African animal world drinking, wallowing and playing in this life-giving environment. These moments are magical and will make you forget the shortcomings of your hostelry.
The Aberdares is a short distance from Nairobi, and I would really recommend the visit. It is a perfectly contrasting match to the Masai Mara or Tsavo. I will certainly spend more time there on my return.
See Our selection of Kenya Lodges
Aberdare National Park Safari
Mara Nyika Camp
Mara Nyika Camp an intimate and luxurious tented camp tucked away in a quiet corner of the Naboisho Conservancy that borders the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Five of the most amazing tented suites, all with excellent views, including two family suites, are on offer: Nyika Camp, one of the best in Africa.
Encounter Mara Camp
Encounter Mara Camp, located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, offers guests fantastic wildlife sightings.
The Mara Naboisho has a higher density of wildlife than the Masai Mara National Reserve. A small, intimate yet popular safari camp awaits.
Galdessa
The riverside location of the lounge and dining room of Galdessa Camp ensure frequent wildlife sightings without the need to leave camp, as the game seeks relief from the heat of the day in the cool waters of the Galana River.
Galdessa Camp, with its amazing swimming pool, is located in the Tsavo East National park on the banks of the Galana River.
Mara Bush Houses
Mara Bush Houses are situated within the famed and wild Mara North Conservancy, surrounded by the best wildlife sightings that Kenya offers.
Two exclusive use three bedroomed Masai Mara houses await, perfect for both families or a small group of friends.
Lewa Safari Camp
Situated in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a 62,000-acre wildlife sanctuary near the northern slopes of Mt Kenya.
Lewa Safari Camp offers up some of the best wildlife viewing that Kenya as a country has to offer, to put it simply, a safari in the Laikipia is simply stunning.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottars 1920s Camp is located far away from the maddening crowds of the Masai Mara.
Only 9 luxuriously appointed tented suites are available, including 2x honeymoon suites, 4x double tents and 3x family suites.
Little Governors Camp
Little Governors Camp in the Masai Mara with just 17 tented suites casts its spell over all who visit, from honeymoon couples to Presidents, is reached by boat and the exquisite, romantic setting has a serenity all of its own.
A classic Masai Mara safari camp that can and does compete with the best in Kenya.
AfroChic Diani Beach
Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach, a boutique hotel with only ten rooms and suites, is located on the famed "Diani Beach" just south of Mombasa. The perfect destination post a wildlife safari, a destination where one can sit back and relax as the cares of the modern world melt away.
AfroChic Diani Beach offers guests incredible sea views and activities year-round; a superb destination awaits.