Aberdare national park Waterfalls
Aberdare national park Waterfalls : Aberdare national park is a protected area in the Aberdare mountain range in the central Kenya located east of the east African Rift Valley. It covers the higher areas and Aberdare salient to the east. Aberdare national park covers an area of 767 km2 (296 sq. mi), Aberdare National Park was established in 1950 and its managed by the Kenya Wildlife Services, the Aberdares is an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running about 100km north south between Nairobi and Thompson falls. The beauty scenic region is much cooler than the savannas and offers a completely different perspective on the country. The national park lies mainly above the three line, the scenery is specular with its mountainous terrain covered in thick tropical forests swathed in the mist. Aberdare national park is a wildlife haven with various animal species, the park is one of the unique destinations, so a tourists on a Kenya Wildlife safari must visit. The park is so interesting in that it hosts the big five that includes the lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos, the record that the park, is the Kenya’s second-largest population of the endangered black rhinos, minus the big five the park has various animal species like African wild cat, Giant Forest hog, golden cat, serval cat, blue duiker and the park has various bird species like Aberdare cisticola, African goshawk, African green pigeon, Augur buzzard, crowned eagle and many more.
Aberdare national park Waterfalls.
Aberdare national park has got the following waterfalls that is the Chania waterfall, Magura waterfall and Queen’s caves, Gura waterfall, Karuru waterfall, Thomson’s waterfall or Nyahururu, Kereita cave and waterfall, chasing waterfall.
Karuru waterfall.
Karuru waterfall is the highest waterfall in Kenya, located inside Aberdare national park with a staggering 273 meters drop, in 3 stages. The first stage is 117 meters high, followed by a smaller 26 meters and finally a 130 meters drop to the plunge pool.
Nearby is a parking lot from where a short hike is taken to a viewing platform, perched on a cliff near the top of the falls. It can be seen from the Gura falls on the opposite site of the gorge, and vice versa. The falls are found in Nyandarua county and surrounded by the tall indigenous trees, making it one of the unique in the country, it is located in the central moorlands, which in itself attracts a good number of the visitors to the Aberdares as it is a home to unique wildlife and vegetation, offering a double treat. Karuru waterfalls are such amazing, the Aberdare mountain range is a home to 52 of the Kenya’s 67 highland species of the birds. Some of these birds can be found at the Karuru falls as they include the threatened species like Sharpes’s Long Claw, Aberdare Cisticola, Abbott’s Starling, Jackson’s Widowbird, the African Green Ibis, Ayre’s Hawk-Eagle and many more.
For mountain climbers, the falls are surrounded by the several peaks, among the most popular being;
Ol Donyo Lesatima (4,001 meters)
Kinangop (3,906 meters)
Elephant Hill (3,906 meters)
Chebuswa Hill (3,364 meters) and
Twin Hills (3,300 meters).
These hills and the peaks are so popular with mountain climbers and provide a wonderful opportunity for those who crave some solitude.
How to get to Karuru waterfalls.
Visitors can either use road or the air transport from Nairobi to the Karuru waterfalls.
Road means, those driving from Nairobi will take about their hours to cover the 172-km stretch.
Air means, the air travelers can land inside the Aberdare National Park, which has an airstrip near the Queen’s Cave picnic site.
Karuru falls entry fees.
Normally Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) conservation fees apply for entry into the Aberdares National Park.
| Karuru Waterfalls | Adult | Child/Kid |
| Citizen | Ksh 250 | Ksh 200 |
| Resident | Ksh 250 | Ksh 200 |
| Non-Resident | USD 30 | USD 20 |
Karuru waterfalls are such magnificent waterfall, as well the visitors can be able to spot the animal species like the elephants, hyenas, giraffes, antelopes, waterbucks, monkeys and many numerous species.
Thomson’s Waterfall/Nyahururu.
Thomson’s falls is a 74 meters (243 ft.) waterfall on the Ewaso Ny’iro River in the central rift valley Kenya, a few kilometers from Lake Ol bolossat, which drains from the Aberdare range, it is situated 3 kilometers (2 mi) form the town of Nyahururu at 2,360 meters (7,749 ft.) elevation.
The falls are a major economic resource for the adjacent town of the most of the revenue is received from tourists, both international and domestic who are charged at the gate. The falls mist feeds the beautiful first below, here you can view the falls from the top or use a trial to move down the ravine. Upstream from the Thomson’s falls is among the biggest hippo pools in East Africa. The site is a breath taking and is a good for the people who want to unwind after attiring week.
The falls featured in the television movie the man in the brown suit in 1988. The best time to visit Thomson’s falls is during the long rainy season when the Ewaso Ny’iro River is full, as you astonishing waterfall from the top to the bottom.
Kereita Cave and Waterfall.
Kereita Cave and waterfall is located in Aberdare national park, for the planners who plan for their trips, Aberdare national park holidays become the easiest to range, with trips to the Kereita cave and waterfall and other attractions mapped out and timetabled. The Kereita forest is located to the south of the aberdares range and features many natural features and hiking trails carbacid trail, one of the major trails, leads to Kereita waterfall on Gatamaiyu River and he neighboring cave that is a shelter to and small bat colony.
Chain Waterfalls.
Chain waterfalls are situated in the southeastern moorland of Aberdare national park. The Chain waterfall is smaller drop when compared to others such as Gura and Karuru waterfalls, there is parking area near the road, from where a short hike is taken to the falls thus water falls in Aberdare national park.
Things to do in Chain waterfalls includes hiking, trekking, from other parts of the park, picnics bird watching, game viewing. The trail to Chain falls is very steep and there is makeshift staircase and rail to help you climb up and down to the falls.
Magura falls and Queen’s cave.
Magura falls are situated at the mouth of the Queen’s cave, in the southern moorland of Aberdare national park. It is also part of the Magura River, a tributary for the larger Gura River. Magura waterfalls in Aberdare national park, with the Queen’s cave situated at the bottom. Can be viewed from both outside as well as from the cave, which is said to have been used as a hiding place during the Mau Mau wars.
Things to do in Magura falls and Queen’s cave.
Hiking, trekking from other parts of the park, picnics inside or outside the cave, bird watching, game viewing and many others.
Best time to visit Magura falls and Queen’s cave.
Any time during the less rainy days of the year is the best time to visit the Magura falls and Queen’s cave.
Gura waterfalls.
Gura waterfalls are situated opposite side of the same gorge as Karuru falls but with a shorter drop. It falls from the moorland of the Aberdare national park, to an impenetrable ravine at the bottom before joining the water from Karuru falls, usually viewed from the karuru falls observation desk.
Aberdare national park has got the most beautiful waterfalls, the Karuru waterfall which is tallest waterfall in Kenya and located at the Aberdare ranges, Chania is a perfect adrenaline spot and other waterfalls in the park which makes the park to be the most attraction in Kenya that one should not miss out during the tour in Aberdare national park because of the unique appearances of the waterfalls in the park.
