Aberdare National Park Treetops Hotel Nyeri

Kenya's Garden of Eden

A lodge on stilts, a fantasy forest, mist-shrouded mountains and rare wildlife...it's small wonder that the Aberdares have such a powerful lure.

According to locals, the Aberdares were the original Garden of Eden - and it's not difficult to see why. A mist-wreathed realm where elephants roam through lichen-clad forests, spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools and trout-filled streams cascade through mossy dells, this beautiful national park is one of the gems of Kenya's Great Rift Valley.

When the mist clears, the Aberdares offer matchless views of Mount Kenya's glittering coronet, while the dense forest is home to the elusive and endangered bongo antelope .Black leopards can also be found here, and there have even been reports of an exceptionally rare golden cat. Other species more likely to be spotted include black rhino, elephant, hyena, giant forest hog, buffalo, eland and some 290 species of birds.

Trek above the forest and you enter a surreal moorland plateau. Grey-green lichens and mosses smother rocky outcrops, while giant lobelias and groundsel loom above swathes of wind-combed tussock grass. Several rivers spring from here, including the Tana, which begins its journey to the Indian Ocean as a frothing stream, squirming with trout.

But it's not the superb fishing, the rich wildlife, nor even the magnificent scenery that elevates the Aberdares into the upper echelons of world-class safari destinations. The park's biggest claim to fame is actually man-made.

Nestling deep in the forests of Aberdare National Park, Treetops - the original tree lodge - rises straight out of the ground on stilts and has four decks and a rooftop platform - perfect for viewing the rhinos, elephants and other wildlife that are attracted to the waterhole and salt lick in front of the iconic property.

Inspired by a two-room tree house built in a fig tree in 1929, the original Treetops was constructed in 1932. It was here that the current British monarch arrived as a princess in February 1952 and left the following morning as queen after hearing of her father's death.

The lodge now has 48 cosy rooms and two suites, a lounge overlooking the waterhole and two bars.

Meals are served in the charming and atmospheric dining room.

Located near the path of an ancient elephant migratory route between the Aberdare Mountains and Mt Kenya, Treetops almost guarantees riveting wildlife viewing. As well as watching the daily dramas unfold at the waterhole from the safety of the viewing decks and rooftop platform, guests can also enjoy close-up views from two photographic hides at ground level.

Die-hard animal lovers needn't worry about missed sightings, even into the early hours of the morning. An optional buzzer in the rooms alerts guests when a spectacle is unfolding at the waterhole.

Treetops is approximately 17km from Outspan Hotel, where guests begin and end their journey to the famous lodge-on-stilts. Activities include two-hour game drives, as well as excursions to the moorland zone, passing through bamboo forest and visiting spectacular waterfalls, such as Chania, Magura and Karuru.

Webaite: www.aberdaresafarihotels.com