The Aberdare National Park, established in 1950, comprises an area of 590sq km.  This includes the moorland and part of the forests of the Aberdare Mountains. The famous TREETOPS HOTEL is situated in the park. The second forest lodge in the park is THE ARK, which is still currently run by LONRHO HOTELS LTD.

In the forest are Red Duiker, Suni, Bushbuck, Elephant, Buffalo, Giant Forest Hog,Leopard and Colobus Monkey.

Eland occur on the open moorlands.  The moorland thickets are the home of Bush Duiker and Black – fronted Duiker and Back Rhino are by no means rare.  The aberdare moorlands are a good locality for Serval, and both the normal spotted and melanistic animals may be seen.

Bird life is abundant and varied. Perhaps the most conspicuous group is the sunbirds.  Four species may be seen – Tacos Sunburn, brilliant metallic violet and bronze with a black belly; Golden-winged Sunburn, scintillating coppery-bronze with golden yellow edged wings and tail; the emerald green Malachite Sunbird, and the tiny Double-collared Sunbird with metallic green upper parts and throat and scarlet chest band.

Game birds include Jackson's and Scaly Francolins in the forest and the very Local Mountain Fracolin on the moorlands.  Birds of prey are specially interesting and crowned and Ayres Hawk Eagles.  Mountain Buzzard, Rufous-breasted Sparrow Hawk and African Goshawk are usually to be seen.

Some characteristic birds of the higher moorlands are the Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird-but much rarer here than in the alpine zone of Mount Kenya-the tame and confiding Mountain of Hill Chat, Augur Buzzard, Slender billed chestnut – wing starling and white –napped Raven.