Aberdare National Park is home to four of the Big Five (no lions), but it is not a typical Big Five destination. Sightings of elephant and buffalo are almost guaranteed. Black rhino are sometimes spotted at one of the tree hotels’ floodlit at night. Leopard, including the melanistic leopard (a black variant), are very rarely seen. Bushbuck and defassa waterbuck are very common.
Wildlife Highlights
The park is a refuge for many interesting forest primates, including black-and-white colobus monkey and . Nocturnal animals, including giant forest hog and large-spotted genet, often visit the at night. The forest is also home to the shy, beautiful mountain bongo antelope, whose numbers are decreasing. The bongo is only present here and in Mt Kenya National Park, where there is a breeding program.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing in the Aberdares is good year-round, but the driest (and best) months are June to September and December to February. Heavy rain can occur throughout the year, but if you’re staying at a tree hotel, it shouldn’t interfere with your safari. Elephants and some antelopes disperse to the higher altitudes during the Dry season (June to September).
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