5-Day Aberdare Hiking Safari: Waterfalls, Moorlands & Wildlife

Highland trails • Kenya’s tallest waterfall • Satima Peak (4,001 m) • Coffee culture

Beautiful scenery inside Aberdare National Park while hiking to the peak

Why You’ll Love It

Waterfall country: Hike to Karuru (Kenya’s tallest, 273 m) & the lush Chania Falls.
Summit day: Trek the alpine moorlands to Ol Donyo Le Satima (4,001 m) for sweeping views of Mt. Kenya & the Rift Valley (weather permitting).
Wild Aberdares: Track forest & moorland trails with a KWS ranger—watch for elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, primates & prolific birdlife.
Local life, real flavor: Coffee-farm walk with tasting, and a gentle community-led eco visit.
Great value base: Comfortable, budget hotel in Nyeri Town—day hikes in the park keep costs low & comfort high.

Style: Budget-friendly eco-hiking safari • Nights: 4 (Nyeri Town) • Pace: Active (moderate to strenuous on summit day)

Fast Facts

Start/End: Nairobi • Duration: 5 days / 4 nights • Best season: Jan–Mar & Jun–Oct (clearer skies). Apr–May & Nov are wetter—trails can be muddy but waterfalls are spectacular.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Nairobi ➜ Nyeri: Highland Journey & Town Walk

Depart Nairobi in the morning for the ~3 hr drive to Nyeri via the Kikuyu highlands with distant views of Mt. Kenya. Check in to your Nyeri hotel, then stretch your legs on a guided town walk—market life, colonial-era landmarks and a café stop to ease into highland tempo. Dinner & overnight in Nyeri.

Day 2 – Aberdare NP: Karuru & Chania Waterfalls Hike

Enter via Mweiga Gate and meet your compulsory KWS armed ranger for walking inside the park. Drive through bamboo & montane forest to the trailhead. Hike to the Karuru Falls viewpoint—the tallest in Kenya—then continue through glades toward Chania Falls. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the cascades; optional detour to Queen’s Cave conditions permitting. Late-afternoon return to Nyeri. Dinner & overnight.

Unique waterfalls in the Aberdares — Unique waterfalls in Kenya’s Aberdares

Day 3 – Aberdare NP: Satima Peak (4,001 m) Moorland Trek

After an early start, ascend to the alpine zone near the base of Ol Donyo Le Satima. Trek across heather & tussock meadows dotted with giant lobelias and weather-carved outcrops. Expect steady elevation gain; the reward is a summit panorama—on a clear day, Mt. Kenya to the east and the Rift to the west. Picnic on the mountain; descend and return to Nyeri by late afternoon. Dinner & overnight.

Ol Donyo Le Satima Peak 4001m — Ol Donyo Le Satima Peak (4,001 m ASL)

Day 4 – Nyeri: Coffee Farm Walk & Community Eco-Experience

Ease into the day with a guided visit to a smallholder coffee farm: seedlings, shade trees, ripening cherries (in season), processing, and a tasting of celebrated Mt. Kenya beans. In the afternoon, visit a community conservation initiative or tree nursery. Lunch on the farm or in town; dinner & overnight in Nyeri.

Day 5 – Nyeri ➜ Nairobi: Crocodile Farm Walk & Return

Check out, then take a short, easy nature walk to Nyeri’s Mamba Village to learn about Nile crocodile ecology from safe platforms. Afterwards, drive back to Nairobi with comfort stops and drop-off at your hotel or the airport in the afternoon.

Elephants in Aberdare National Park — Elephant sightings inside Aberdare National Park

✅ What’s Included

Accommodation: 4 nights in a budget hotel in Nyeri (twin/double, en-suite)
Transport: Round-trip Nairobi ⇄ Nyeri/Aberdare NP in a safari vehicle (hotel/airport pick-up & drop-off)
Guided Hiking: Professional English-speaking guide on all park hikes
Park & Ranger Fees: Aberdare NP entry + compulsory KWS armed ranger for walking safaris
Meals: 4× breakfast, 3× picnic lunches during hikes, 4× dinners
Coffee Experience: Guided farm walk with tasting (Day 4)
Crocodile Farm: Entrance & guided walk (Day 5)
Support: Drinking water during hikes, all government taxes/permits per itinerary

❌ What’s Excluded

International/domestic flights to/from Nairobi; Kenya visa fees
Travel insurance (mandatory) covering medical evacuation & trip interruption
Personal expenses (beverages, snacks, laundry, calls)
Alcoholic/soft drinks (bottled water provided during hikes)
Tips/gratuities for guides, rangers & hotel staff (optional)
Activities not listed as included
Gear: Personal hiking kit (boots/shoes, rain jacket, daypack, layers). A packing list is sent after booking.

Know Before You Go

Safety first: Walking inside Aberdare NP requires a KWS armed ranger (included). Routes may be adjusted by rangers for wildlife or weather.
Altitude & fitness: Trails range ~2,500–4,001 m. Day 3 is the most strenuous. Suitable for active adults/teens with good fitness.
Weather: The Aberdares are cool & misty; rain is possible year-round. Trails can be muddy/slippery—proper footwear is essential.
Visibility: Summit & viewpoint vistas depend on weather. Mornings are often clearest.
Waterfall access: Viewpoints may close temporarily in heavy rain for safety.
Luggage: Soft bags preferred; bring a small daypack for hikes.
Leave No Trace: We follow strict low-impact travel practices on all trails.