Previously, tours to Aberdare national park were arranged either in organized groups accompanied by the one who takes care of the park, or selecting the Kenya Safari tour earlier on by informing the Warden of the park, Aberdare National Park, P.O. Box 22, Nyeri.
Private access is given these days, but only 4WD vehicles are allowed inside the park.
The park is 100Km Northwest of Nyeri. There are many buses from Nairobi to Nyeri town, however, from this town to the park gates, there is no public transport means.
It is important to mention the best way to access the park is upon where one is going, since the range, rather the park is infact stumbling block between the two main Northbound roads from Nairobi. Generally, the best way is to use the A2 leaving Nairobi via Thika road, going to Thika and Nyeri. The road is tarred and in favourable conditions up to Sagana to Nyeri. This itinerary is most favourable if you travel for a night stay at Treetops or the Ark, since this road goes up to Nyeri, where the base hotel for Treetops, the Outspan club is found. There is a road leading to Mweiga from Nyeri, a town close to which is the Aberdare country club, base for The Ark. In Mweiga, you can also find the Kenya wildlife service Aberdare’s Headquarters, where you can reload your smart card.
Conversely, if you intend to travel the park, preferably you may use another road, which is actually shorter. In Nairobi, take A104 North to Naivasha where you will take a turnoff Kenya Tours
to Nyeri. Pitifully, your intention is only to travel from Naivasha to Nyeri, this route is not favourable, simply because the road passes through the park and you would therefore be required to pay the entrance fee.
About the park gates, coming either from Naivasha or Gilgil, you can get to the park via Mutubio West gate. The steepest part of this track, which was previously impassable when the rains fell, is now covered with flat stones.
From Nyeri, you can access the park using three various gates, both in the salient are; Ruhuruini gate being in the South and Wandare gate in the North, while the Kiandongoro gate in the far South, goes to the Chania falls area.
Getting to the park from North is currently impossible because Shamata and Ngobit (Rhino) gates are presently closed to tourism. There are four open public gates to the park in all, plus two private gates only allowing the buses carrying overnight travellers to Treetops and The Ark.
The park’s road network cross-sectionally crosses from East to West, from Kiandongoro gate to Mutubio west gate, via misty moorlands which lie at an altitude of 3,350m. Connecting the two slopes of the range, this route offers the shortest way from Naivasha to Nyeri.
Aberdare Tour Kenya National Park
