Aberdare National Park Itineraries: 2, 4 and 6 Day Sample Trips

The Aberdares are a forested and moorland mountain range north of Nairobi, famous for lodges where guests watch elephants, buffalo and other animals come to floodlit waterholes at night. Staying in the park is as much the point as driving through it.

The sample plans below show how to fit the range into Kenya trips of different lengths. Adjust the order to suit your arrival and departure points.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Choosing Your Itinerary

Because the Aberdare lodges work on a shuttle and overnight system, the experience is built around an afternoon arrival, an evening and night of watching from viewing decks and a morning departure. This means a single night is enough to enjoy the highlight, and a second night rarely adds much unless you want to hike or fish. Pair the range with Mount Kenya, Lewa or Laikipia for a more varied trip. See Kenya safari itineraries of 3, 5 and 7 days for broader ideas.

Two-Day Aberdare Escape

• Day 1. Leave Nairobi in the morning and drive north through the highlands towards Nyeri, with a lunch stop. Transfer to the park in the afternoon, check in at your forest lodge and watch the waterhole as dusk falls. Elephants, buffalo and forest antelope may appear after dark.
• Day 2. Rise early for any dawn viewing, then breakfast and drive back to Nairobi or continue to Mount Kenya or Laikipia. This works as a first or last overnight on a short Kenya trip.

Four-Day Highland Loop

• Day 1. Nairobi to the Aberdare lodge with an evening at the waterhole.
• Day 2. Morning in the forest, then drive to the foot of Mount Kenya for a scenic afternoon and overnight in a mountain-view lodge.
• Day 3. Move on to a conservancy such as Lewa or Laikipia for game drives, with rhinos and plains game on the agenda. See Laikipia and Ol Pejeta.
• Day 4. Morning activity, then drive or fly back to Nairobi.

Six-Day Journey Through Kenya's Highlands and Rift Valley

• Day 1. Nairobi to Aberdare, with an evening at the waterhole.
• Day 2. Drive to Mount Kenya foothills and enjoy a walk or rest day.
• Day 3. Continue to Lake Nakuru for rhinos, giraffes and birds. See Lake Nakuru itineraries.
• Day 4. Travel to the Masai Mara via the Rift Valley.
• Day 5. Full-day game drives in the Mara. See Masai Mara itineraries.
• Day 6. Morning drive and return to Nairobi by road or air.

Pacing and Practical Advice

The Aberdares sit at altitude, so evenings are cold and misty. Pack warm layers and a rain jacket, and bring a torch. Because the lodge systems limit luggage and timing, travel light and confirm check-in times. Avoid cramming too many bases into a short trip; the range works best as a calm interlude between longer drives. See the East Africa packing list.

When to Go and What to Combine

The drier months offer easier roads and clearer skies, though the highlands can be cool and damp at any time. Combine the range with the coast or other parks using the best time to visit Kenya and Kenya safari packages.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team