Say you are going to the beach, ready with your bathing suit, chilled drinks, volley balls…but then you come upon something startlingly breathtaking.
It gently calls to the adventurer in you, seducing all your senses to a standstill. Do you stop to explore? Or do you carry on because you have a destination in mind?
This was our situation, on the road to the Aberdares National Park… After a morning well-spent along the dam in Kinangop, we were itching to explore.
Enter The Aberdare National Park…
The Aberdares National Park is about 2 hours’ drive from Njabini town.
To access the park, drive past Njabini on Thika Gatura Road/C67, towards Engineer, a small town in Nyandarua county. Luckily, it can be easily located on Google Maps.
To be honest, we had no intention of going into the park to begin with. Our ‘mission’ was different. We wanted to experience something new, take ‘uncharted paths’ if you like.
Take The Less Traveled Road…
Kenya’s beauty lies not only in the ‘established’ tourist attractions, which are excellent, but also in its natural forests, small streams, and our people in their daily lives.
It is such gems, on the way to the Aberdares National Park, that held a charming attraction to us.
We felt a lot like ‘tourists’ on that long and narrowly winding road up the Aberdares. Being in no rush, we stopped to check out every captivating feature we encountered.
Photography By: Wanjiku Thuo & Wacu Wamahiu
Enchanting Forest…
The forest was my favorite. The majestic trees towering over us in well-laid rows, that seemed unending, was a sight to behold. It is a feeling I will always cherish. 🙂
I realized, this is how one ought to travel sometimes- in no hurry to reach a given destination. With the freedom to explore whatever you find in your path.
And with such liberties, you might come upon your own unique experiences and stories to tell.
Our trip, fancifully ended at the Park’s gates, where we turned back.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving~Lao Tzu.
Helpful Tips:
- The entrance fee to the Aberdares National Park is Kshs.350
- Self-catering Cottages and guest-houses are available within the park ranging from Kshs.2, 500 to Kshs.20, 000.
- Stop over and shop on the Nairobi – Naivasha Highway before diverting to Kinangop
- Consider carrying packed lunches and have a picnic in the forest
When’s the last time you went on a trip of discovery without a destination in mind?
Drop a comment in the section below, I would love to hear more! 🙂
<< Stay. Inspired. Always. >>
47 Comments
Molla
August 18, 2017 at 11:36 amSo in love with the writing and how your words paint the pictures of these places vividly in the mind. So in love with the blog.
Mchael
September 23, 2016 at 9:17 amThis is a great article for those who think Traveling around our beautiful country is very expensive. Keep sharing those amazing stories.
Scrapbook Journeys
September 27, 2016 at 9:20 pmWow thank you! I agree, travel is certainly affordable 😀 Thanks for reading!
nelius
April 29, 2016 at 12:29 amlovely Marion i never thought of aberdares to be a destination that i can visit. i can’t wait to visit. At least it’s not far from Nairobi kids won’t get too tired.
Scrapbook Journeys
May 2, 2016 at 10:19 amNelius! Yes, indeed I am also learning that we have beautiful places right at our fingertips 🙂 I hope you get to go down and enjoy the beautiful views! Thanks for reading dear 🙂
Patricia Mithamo
April 28, 2016 at 5:30 pmbeautiful scene Marion i love your writing God has seen your dream come true
Scrapbook Journeys
April 28, 2016 at 8:54 pmThank you love! And Amen!I am grateful, taking it a step at a time, learning as I go 🙂 Thank you for reading my dear. xoxo
Njugush Haron
April 28, 2016 at 2:00 pmGreat Job .it is very interesting ,beautiful and distinct .Thanks for offering this to us
Scrapbook Journeys
April 28, 2016 at 4:46 pmThank you 🙂 It is indeed my pleasure!
Pinchez
April 27, 2016 at 6:44 pmAn Amazing piece
Scrapbook Journeys
April 28, 2016 at 4:51 pmThank you for reading!! 🙂 🙂
Pinchez
April 27, 2016 at 6:43 pmAn Amazing read
Zidii Hitoh
April 24, 2016 at 2:09 pmAwesome piece !!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 25, 2016 at 9:32 pm🙂 Thank you!
Zidii Hitoh
April 24, 2016 at 2:08 pmAwesome piece!!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 25, 2016 at 9:31 pm🙂 Thank you!
Austine Oduor
April 22, 2016 at 9:48 pmThis is quite imaginative and informative. The photos are captivating
Scrapbook Journeys
April 23, 2016 at 8:55 amThank you Austine for reading 🙂
Carol
April 22, 2016 at 9:10 pmNailed it! Good stuff.
Scrapbook Journeys
April 23, 2016 at 8:55 amThanks for reading Carol! I hope you will stay around as we discover more Kenya 🙂
nasrin naserian
April 22, 2016 at 8:56 pmI am so proud of you finally this is amazing I love it.. Can’t wait for more.. You go siz…!!!! <3
Scrapbook Journeys
April 23, 2016 at 8:54 amThank you so much Naz for reading! I appreciate the feedback 🙂 Stay on and let’s explore Kenya more and more 🙂
Hildah
April 22, 2016 at 8:40 pmGods art. Who else be like him. I love the piece. Like, like and more likes.
Thats gonna be on my to go list.
Scrapbook Journeys
April 23, 2016 at 8:53 amSo true! Wow, God sure is the Master Artist!Thanks for reading, and glad to hear you will visit it! Would love to hear how it goes 🙂 Stay on!
Irene
April 22, 2016 at 3:49 pmWow Marion. I love the experience and I so enjoy travelling in no rush in good company yay….. keep em travels coming!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 23, 2016 at 8:45 amThank you Irene for reading and for the feedback;) 🙂 Great to hear that it’s your kind of trip 🙂 Stay on as we explore Kenya 😉
Marleen Kwamboka
April 22, 2016 at 3:05 pmAmazing read hun,loved every bit of it.The pics are awesome too.Great job!!!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 23, 2016 at 8:46 amThanks Marleen 🙂 I appreciate the read and the feedback! Whoop Whoop! xo
Glorious
April 22, 2016 at 2:19 pmVery lovely read Marion…:)…You’ve inspired me to take a trip to the Aberdares National Park and take enchanted routes…:)! The photos are sooo lovely…:)! I like…:)!
Nesh Kanja Mithamo
April 22, 2016 at 9:21 amAnd I thought I have travelled. Wololo. Thanks for bringing this to us. I feel I need to learn and do more as a domestic tourist courtesy of this piece. Very informative and eye opener. Thanks sis. Keep up the good job.
Scrapbook Journeys
April 22, 2016 at 11:43 amAaaw thanks dear. You inspire to do more and be more 🙂 Can’t wait to take on the next destination with you 😉 xo
fiona
April 22, 2016 at 9:11 amThis is awesome!. Love your way of writing; its flowing and really captures one’s attention. You go girl!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 22, 2016 at 11:45 amOh wow,thanks Fiona for reading! I appreciate the feedback. I hope to keep growing in the art of writing 🙂 Glory to God!
M'thunzi
April 21, 2016 at 10:52 pmMagnificent work indeed!!!!!
classic work……well and neatly done!!!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 22, 2016 at 11:49 amThank you so much for reading, and for taking the time to comment. Really appreciated 🙂 Hope to see you again and again:)
khadar
April 21, 2016 at 9:34 pmVery interesting. Going there soon!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 22, 2016 at 11:52 amExcellent! I would love to hear your experience 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Kerea
April 21, 2016 at 8:17 pmAmazing. Yes I want to take a journey to where the destination is the journey. Amazing pictures too.
Scrapbook Journeys
April 22, 2016 at 11:56 amThanks Kerea 🙂 I totally appreciate the read and the comment 🙂 Totally appreciated.Stay on, let’s take more and more of this #nodestination journeys:)
Sharon
April 21, 2016 at 6:21 pmAmazing place i love it already. Go Girl great Job!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 21, 2016 at 6:34 pmThank you Sharon 🙂 I appreciate the sentiments! I hope you get to visit and experience the lovely treasures 🙂
Robert
April 21, 2016 at 4:30 pmStunning!
Scrapbook Journeys
April 21, 2016 at 5:59 pmThanks Robert for reading 🙂 🙂
Yvonne
April 21, 2016 at 3:13 pmAwesome pictures, amazing piece.
Scrapbook Journeys
April 21, 2016 at 4:00 pmThank you Yvonne 🙂 I appreciate the read 🙂
Wanjiku Thuo
April 21, 2016 at 2:32 pmAwesome piece Miss Rio.
Travel the world. Xo
Scrapbook Journeys
April 21, 2016 at 3:07 pmYes!!
That’s the spirit! Whoop Whoop! Let’s go conquer the world Sue, one destination at a time 🙂