Chyulu Hills National Park

Chyulu Hills National Park is absolutely a green nature lover destination with verdant rolling hills of endless green, wondrous blue skies as well as rewardable landscape views. The Chyulu hills is a green hills of Africa and one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world, forming up over 500 years ago. The park’s volcanic scenery is remarkable though the human encroachment with cattle and poaching are the main problems in here. It is a home to less animals but a worth a visit to the upper leviathan cave which raises 11.5kilometer long, famously one of the stunned longest caves in world thus making it a fantastic trip to Kenya safaris.

Despite Chyulu Hills is a mountain range found in Makueni County South Eastern Kenya .The hills forms a 100 Kilometers long volcanic field in elongated North West to South East direction ,making its highest peak to measure 0ver 2188 meters high .Moreover ,this national park is also part of the Tsavo conservation area which raises towards Tsavo west and Tsavo East National park and to a nearby Kibwezi forest which is dominated with unique species such as Neoboutonia macro calyx ,Cassipourea malonsana,IIex mitis ,Prunus Africana and all these protected areas are habitant to large population of wildlife species which can be adventured on combined tour on Kenya safaris.

In general, Chyulu Hills national park is positioned about 150 kilometers east of Kenya Rift valley and composes the eastern flank of the hills managed by Kenya Wildlife Service and the western flank of the hills is covered by the West Chyulu Game Conservation is owned by Maasai group ranches. In fact, it was gazette as a national park in 1983 on a land covering an area of about 741 square kilometers.

The word Chyulu means ‘’spotted Hills’’, chyulu hills is a rugged wilderness with great signs of its volcanic origins and thrilled place that offers spectacular views of Kilimanjaro which is famously known as African highest mountain.

Highlight Attractions in Chyulu Hills National Park

Wildlife: The Chyulu hills wildlife species include; eland, giraffes, zebras, klipspringer mountain reedbucks, bushbucks, eastern black rhinos, steenbok, cheetahs, baboon, Skye’s’ monkeys can be explored at the plains of chyulu Hils.Varous snakes can also be seen along the hills such as black mamba, puff adder and rock python. Other big game crosses from Tsavo west and such animals are elephants, leopards, loins and buffalos. If you’re lucky, you can see their tracks.

Bird species: The park is hoven for birding which can be easily spotted on the hills and the view is quite rewardable but for you to be able to have clear views carry binoculars in order to help you to view birds at long distances. Such birds to be sighted are the endemic species, other bird species include; White- headed Saw wing and Black Saw wing, Barn Swallow, Singing Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola, Bar-throated Apalis, White bellied Tit, White necked Raven, long tailed Fiscal, Red tailed shrike, Common Bulbul, Abyssinian Thrush, White-starred Robin, African Stonechat, Spotted Flycatcher, Variable sunbird, spectacled weaver, Chestnut weaver, Red –billed Quelea among others.

Breathtaking views from the chyulu hills, cave exploration and along one camp site close to park headquarters is quite remarkable.

Great views of unique insects like Dung Beetles, Tsetse fly, Butterflies.

Gainful views of Reptiles; Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Rock python, Gecko, Tortoise, Lizard.

Activities done in Chyulu Hills National Park

Hiking: This is the major done activity at the park which can be carried out in various animal trekking trails that leads you to explore the mountain ranges and the views for wildlife along here is incredible. Since its highest peak is not difficult and tiresome to climb, the peak measures 150 kilometers long. The hike also gives great views of Kilimanjaro Mountain.

Wildlife Viewing: This national park is gifted with diversity of wildlife such as antelopes, wildebeests, bush pig, elephants, bush bucks, cheetahs, black rhino, steenbok, zebras, eland and since there are various animal’s trails that leads you to rewardable abundant wildlife. Some reptiles to see around include; black mamba, monitor lizards puff adder and rock python mentioned few.

Bird watching: This is quite interesting in this hidden part of paradise, hosting more than 350 bird species of both migratory and residential bird which comes from Europe and North Africa. The best birding place in the park is at chyulu hills and lake Jipe found at the south western side of the park.

Mountain Biking: Mountain biking can be done along the rugged landscape of the chyulu Hills.

Horse riding: This is one of the special way on how to explore the un spoilt wilderness of Chyulu hills national park as you get closer to big range of animals within the park.

Guided nature walk: This is a rewardable activity as you go for nature walk on foot in green covered vegetation of the park where you can come across various wildlife species, beautiful butterflies, reptiles, insects as well as enjoying the cool breeze of the forest mountain, the view to Mount Kilimanjaro is gainful along your nature walk.

Visit the Larva caves: Chyulu hills national park boosts with the deepest lava tubes in the world with the Leviathan caves which raises 11.5 kilometers long, to hike it till top take about 3 to 4 hours one way from the park’s entrance.

Culture Experience: On your visit to the park, you can meet the local people around the park in their communities and learn about their amazing lifestyle.

Chyulu Hills-Scenery: The Chyulu hills volcanic mountains offer splendid mix of volcanic ash cones and barren lava flows. Note that, the big black rocks also raise testament to the volcanic origin of the mountains. The lava flows are covered with green vegetation but the upper slopes are home to over 37 species of orchids. Then the deep beneath of the hills is a catacomb of unexplored caves.

Best Time to Visit

Chyulu Hills is a game destination visited through the year, but wildlife viewing tends to be best in the dry months from Jane to October and January to February. You can still visit during peak of the short rains that happens in November and long rains from April and May can be a challenging time in transport means because roads can be in poor condition to access the park. Though accommodation rates can be cheaper and the park can be out many visitors during long rainfall months. We advise you to always use 4×4 wheel drive throughout the year.

Where to Stay

Chyulu Hills has got three camp site but no accommodations inside the park, Note, there are two very exclusive lodges provided with a full range of activities on the Maasai concessions on the foot hills of the Chyulu hills such as OI Donyo lodge and Campiya Kanzi.

Getting There

Starting a journey from Nairobi through passing a side trip from Tsavo West it takes 232 kilometers to reach the main destination. From Mombasa to access to Chyulu hills national park covers 250 kilometers by road. By Air: This national park has got two airstrips that can access by the domestic chattered flights from Mombasa or Nairobi.

Experience one of Africa’s Green Hills with its verdant rolling hills of endless green as well as a rewardable scenery landscape covered with magnificent vegetation on the African planet. ‘’Visit Kenya safari destination’’ and experience more about African beautiful nature.