[1][2] The Aberdare Range forms a section of the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley running roughly north to south.

Mount Kenya at 5,199 metres (17,057 ft)[5] is the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro and lies east of the Aberdare Range.

The Rhino Charge is an annual event run by conservationists in Kenya to pay for fencing of the Aberdare National Park as a means of protecting East Africa's largest indigenous forest from destruction.

[6] The Range descend gradually from the peak towards Nyahururu from the northern side, where incised river valleys and volcanic vents are evident.

On the southern side, the range is steep southwards from IL Kinangop peak towards the northern part of Murang’a North District.

Plants endemic to the range include Alchemilla hagenia, Coelachne friesiorum, Dendrosenecio brassiciformis, Helichrysum gloria-dei, and Heracleum taylorii.

Alpine grass (Deschampsia), distinguished by giant groundsell (Dendrosenecio johnstonii), Lobelia deckenii, and heath (Erica mannii).

This belt is mostly dominated by pioneer species Macaranga capensis and Neoboutonia macrocalyx and runs to the east side of the range.

The region is also host to the valuable commercial species including Aningeria adolfi-friederici, Kuloa usambarensis, and Syzygium guineense, which are the most conspicuous forest in the Kikuyu escarpment.

This forms the seasonal forest cover on the north-east slopes with predominantly Ekebergia capensis, Nuxia congesta, Cassipourea malosana, and Calodendrum capense (Cape chestnut) species.