ABERDARES

Aberdare National Park offers some of the finest trout fishing in Kenya. Dubbed ‘Scotland with lions’ its clear tumbling streams with mossy overhangs and shady bends, run through peaks which are often shrouded in mist, moors and banks of tussock grass. The brown and rainbow trout found in these streams are not indigenous to Kenya and trace their origins back to Lock Leven in Scotland, from where they were first imported into Kenya in 1905 by Lt Colonel Ewart Grogan. Grogan arranged a consignment of Loch Leven Ova, Brown and Rainbow, to be shipped to Mombasa. The Ova were then sent by train to Nairobi where they were packed in ice and loaded onto ox wagons to make the journey to Nyeri. From there the Ova were hauled up to the heights of the mountains and introduced into the Gura River. Subsequently a number of trout hatcheries were established by the Kenya Fisheries Department and Ova were imported from countries as far a field as Australia and England. Today the waters of the Aberdares, Mt Kenya and Cherangani Hills are restocked with fingerlings.

The best fishing areas are generally found above the 2,000m level. It generally goes that the higher the altitude the smaller the fish. The three main rivers for fishing in the Park are the Amboni, the Chania and the Gura rivers. Within the Park anglers must engage the services of a KWS ranger. It must be taken into consideration there is every chance of blundering into one of the many dangerous animals, especially buffalo who lurk by the river banks, so fishing here is not for the feint hearted.

The Fishing Lodge is located in the central highlands west of Mount Kenya.  180 Km from Nairobi via Nyeri depending on which entry gate you choose.

The acommodation consists of two timber cabins lying next to each other with each cabin having three bedrooms. Two bedrooms have one double and one single bed and one bedroom has a single bed. There are two en suite bathrooms using hot water heated from a kuni boiler per cabin. Each cabin has a lounge with a fireplace and it is advised to take your own wood. Each cabin has a open plan dining area leading off the sitting room. There is also a dining table and benches on the verhandah.

The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, basic kitchen utensils, cutlrey, crockery and glasses.

Also provided are the caretaker, kerosine lamps,blankets, pillows, bed clinen, towels, soap and toilet tissue.

Activities include trout fishing (licences are available at the Park gate, walking, trekking and climbing.

It is recommended that you use 4WD vehicles in this area... one bit of advice take warm gear and if trekking something to keep the rain and drizzle off you.