Aberdare National Park is home to four of the (no lions), but it is not a typical Big Five destination. Sightings of and are almost guaranteed. are sometimes spotted at one of the tree hotels’ floodlit at night. , including the melanistic leopard (a black variant), are very rarely seen. and are very common.
Wildlife Highlights
The park is a refuge for many interesting forest primates, including and . animals, including and , often visit the at night. The forest is also home to the shy, beautiful 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. and some antelopes disperse to the higher altitudes during the Dry season (June to September).
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