The Aberdare is an isolated volcanic range in the eastern portion of the Rift Valley. It stretches nearly 100 kms in the north-south direction between the city of Nairobi and the Thomson’s falls. This land has rich reddish, fertile volcanic soil.
The foothills of the Aberdare National Park are covered with huge trees, which thin out and give way to bamboo forests as you climb higher.
From about 3,000 metres upwards the landscape consists primarily of alpine moorland.
Still higher is an area of grassland with, from time to time, giant lobelias presenting an attractive contrast. The park is blessed with crystal clear streams, waterfalls and lakes teeming with fish. This is an ideal habitat for a wide variety of mammals and birds. The wildlife in this territory is still very shy, and the lodges often have to put out salt-licks to attract the animals.
