Aberdare National Park

🇰🇪 Kenya

🦌 Northern Bushbuck Thrives in Aberdare
🌍 #16 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Africa #12 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Kenya 1302 spp. recorded

Aberdare National Park is a high-altitude tropical rainforest reserve situated in the central highlands of Kenya. Its dense canopy, deep ravines, and moss-draped trees create a dramatic mountain habitat distinct from the open savannahs found elsewhere in the region. Visitors traverse winding forest tracks enveloped in cool mist and towering timber.

-0.221° S   36.588° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Northern Bushbuck ★
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

70–80% · Very likely
Giant Forest Hog ★
LC

Giant Forest Hog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hylochoerus meinertzhageni

70–80% · Likely
Mantled Guereza ★
LC

Mantled Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus guereza

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely
Streaky Seedeater
LC

Streaky Seedeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crithagra striolata

70–80% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
Hunter's Cisticola
LC

Hunter's Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola hunteri

60–70% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

60–70% · Likely
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

60–70% · Likely
Abyssinian Thrush
LC

Abyssinian Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus abyssinicus

60–70% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

60–70% · Likely
Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Boubou

Tropical Boubou

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius major

50–60% · Likely
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher

White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dioptrornis fischeri

50–60% · Likely
Blue Monkey
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Northern Bushbuck ★
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

70–80% · Very likely
Giant Forest Hog ★
LC

Giant Forest Hog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hylochoerus meinertzhageni

70–80% · Likely
Mantled Guereza ★
LC

Mantled Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus guereza

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

60–70% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

60–70% · Likely
Blue Monkey
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

50–60% · Likely
Bush Duiker
LC

Bush Duiker

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sylvicapra grimmia

50–60% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

40–50% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

40–50% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

40–50% · Likely
Suni

Suni

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Neotragus moschatus

40–50% · Likely
East African Giraffe

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

40–50% · Possible
Slender Mongoose

Slender Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Galerella sanguinea

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely
Streaky Seedeater
LC

Streaky Seedeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crithagra striolata

70–80% · Likely
Hunter's Cisticola
LC

Hunter's Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola hunteri

60–70% · Likely
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

60–70% · Likely
Abyssinian Thrush
LC

Abyssinian Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus abyssinicus

60–70% · Likely
Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Boubou

Tropical Boubou

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius major

50–60% · Likely
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher

White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dioptrornis fischeri

50–60% · Likely
Black Sawwing
LC

Black Sawwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psalidoprocne pristoptera

50–60% · Likely
Augur Buzzard
LC

Augur Buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo augur

50–60% · Likely
Eastern Double-collared Sunbird
LC

Eastern Double-collared Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris mediocris

40–50% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Helmeted Chameleon
LC

Helmeted Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros hoehnelii

50–60% · Likely
Aberdare Mountains Dwarf Chameleon
NT

Aberdare Mountains Dwarf Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros kinangopensis

30–40% · Possible
Kenya Montane Viper
NT

Kenya Montane Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Montatheris hindii

30–40% · Possible
🦎 No photo available
NT

Western Alpine Meadow Lizard

Reptile

Adolfus masavaensis

Insufficient data
African Spurred Tortoise
EN

African Spurred Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Centrochelys sulcata

Insufficient data
Red-lipped Snake
LC

Red-lipped Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Insufficient data
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Molo Frog
LC

Molo Frog

Amphibian

Amietia wittei

Insufficient data
Kinangop Dainty Frog
LC Endemic

Kinangop Dainty Frog

Amphibian

Cacosternum kinangopensis

Insufficient data
Bladder Reed Frog
EN Endemic

Bladder Reed Frog

Amphibian

Hyperolius cystocandicans

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Hartlaub's Turaco Breeding Season

MarMayAug

Hartlaub's Turacos become highly vocal and active during breeding, creating a symphony of calls in the forest canopy.

Hartlaub's Turaco
LC

Hartlaub's Turaco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tauraco hartlaubi

40–50% · Likely
🦌

African Buffalo Rut and Calving

JunJulAugSepNov

Buffalo herds engage in dramatic rutting behaviors, while calving peaks, attracting predators like lions and hyenas.

African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
🐦

Aberdare Cisticola Breeding Surge

MayJunOct

The park’s namesake bird, the Aberdare Cisticola, becomes hyperactive, with males performing aerial displays to attract mates.

Aberdare Cisticola
VU Endemic

Aberdare Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola aberdare

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Northern Bushbuck
60–70
70–80
30–40
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
90–100
70–80
60–70
80–90
Giant Forest Hog
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
40–50
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
Mantled Guereza
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
40–50
African Bush Elephant
60–70
50–60
40–50
20–30
40–50
60–70
70–80
40–50
20–30
40–50
50–60
40–50
Common Bulbul
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Streaky Seedeater
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
African Buffalo
60–70
40–50
50–60
20–30
50–60
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
50–60
70–80
50–60
Hunter's Cisticola
50–60
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Waterbuck
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
Baglafecht Weaver
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Abyssinian Thrush
40–50
70–80
80–90
70–80
40–50
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Spotted Hyena
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
Speckled Mousebird
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
Tropical Boubou
30–40
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
Blue Monkey
50–60
10–20
40–50
50–60
60–70
10–20
40–50
50–60
20–30
60–70
70–80
70–80
Animal Events
🐦 Hartlaub's Turaco Breeding Season
🦌 African Buffalo Rut and Calving
🐦 Aberdare Cisticola Breeding Surge

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦌 Northern Bushbuck Thrives in Aberdare

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
838
🐒 Mammals
282
🦎 Reptiles
128
🐸 Amphibians
54
1302 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
52 Threatened 38 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
65%
📊
Coverage (191 species at ≥5% of 1302 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
15%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 mammal, 6 bird)
46% Global avg
67%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
156
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
33
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
34

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Aberdare National Park?

The most likely sightings are Northern Bushbuck (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Common Bulbul (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Giant Forest Hog (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Streaky Seedeater (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Buffalo (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1302 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Aberdare National Park for wildlife?

July has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Northern Bushbuck in Aberdare National Park?

Yes — about 72% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Bushbuck sighting in Aberdare National Park, based on 51 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Giant Forest Hog in Aberdare National Park?

Yes — about 70% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Forest Hog sighting in Aberdare National Park, based on 46 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mantled Guereza in Aberdare National Park?

Yes — about 59% of wildlife watchers report a Mantled Guereza sighting in Aberdare National Park, based on 30 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Aberdare National Park?

Yes — about 54% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Aberdare National Park, based on 25 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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