Chyulu Hills National Park is renowned as ‘’Green Hills of Africa’’ that boosts with verdant beautiful rolling hills of endless green, great blue skies and scenic landscape views of the Chyulu Hills to provide to nature lovers. More so, the park is home to large mammals including buffalo, bushbucks, elands. elephants, leopards, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, reedbucks and giraffes along with various reptiles and insects many more.
More fact, the park is tucked away between Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli National Park, boosts with diverse landscape. It is located about 150kilometers east of the Kenya Rift and lies 30 kilometers northeast of the Chyulu Hills.
Despite the fact that, Chyulu Hills National Park covers an area of about 741 square kilometers and was established in 1983 as a national park. The park comprises the eastern flank of the hills and is governed ‘’Kenya Wildlife Service’’. The western flank of the hills is covered by the West Chyulu Game Conservation owned by Maasai group ranches
Chyulu Hills National Park is home rich in wildlife species, tree species and vegetations;
Wild animals’ species to see in an open plain of Chyulu hills include; Eastern black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, Elands, Bushbucks, Bushpigs, Elephants, Leopards, Lions, Masai giraffe, Mountain reedbucks, steinbok, wildebeest and Grant’s zebras as well as Cheetahs. The place is also inhabiting the hills like Puff adder, Black mamba and Rock python among others.
The park hosts various bird species’ ‘endemic species -bird species includes; Shelley’s francolin, white-starred robin, orange ground thrush, Cinnamon bracken warbler, African crowned eagle, martial eagle and Abbott’s starling mentioned but few.
Climate at Chyulu National Park;
Temperature ranges from 20 – 30 c and rainfall from 200melimeter- 700 mm. There are two rain seasons; Long rains – March & April and Short rains -November to December.
There are many activities to do within and outside the park including Horse riding, camping, mountain climbing and bird watching among others.
Attractions in Chyulu Hills National Park;
Breathtaking views from the Chyulu Hills, cave exploration, one camp site located next to park headquarters.
Reptiles; Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Rock python, Gecko, Tortoise, Lizard among others.
Insect/arthropods includes; Dung Beetles, Butterflies, Tsetse fly.
Common Animals; Buffalo, Bushbuck, Eland, Elephant, Leopard, Bush pig, Gaint Forest hog, Reedbuck, Mountain, Steinbok, Giraffes.
Things to do and see in Chyulu Hills National Park;
Wildlife viewing;
Chyulu Hills National Park is a gifted kenya safari destination rich in wildlife species including; antelopes, wildebeests, elephants, bush bucks, cheetahs, black rhino, steenbok, zebras, eland and the park has got several animal’s trails that leads tourists to great rewardable abundance of wildlife. Reptiles to see around while on game viewing include; black mamba, monitor lizards puff adder and rock python among many.
Bird watching;
The park is home to more than 350 bird species of both migratory and residential bird which arrives in each year coming from Europe and North Africa thus marking it hidden part of paradise.
Guided nature walks;
This is an exciting activity best done on foot in different interesting trails covered by green vegetation where you can come across various wildlife species, stunning butterflies, reptiles, insects as well as enjoying the cool breeze of the forest mountain. You will be able to view the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro during your walking safaris.
Visit the larva caves;
The park hosts with the deepest lava tubes in the world with the Leviathan caves which raises 11.5 kilometers long, to hike it till top which takes about 3 to 4 hours way from the park’s entrance.
Culture Experience;
While on visit, expect to meet the local people around the park in their communities and learn about their unique lifestyle.
Chyulu Hills-Scenery;
Chyulu hills volcanic mountains offers astonishing mix of volcanic ash cones and barren lava flows. Note, the big black rocks which raises testament to the Volcanic origin of the mountains. The lava flows are covered with green vegetation and the upper slopes are home to around 37 Orchids species. Then the deep beneath of the hills is a catacomb of unplumbed caves.
What to take with you;
Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight.
Other useful items include; binoculars, camera, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and guidebooks, torches for those who would like to adventure the caves.
Where to stay;
Chyulu National Park hosts wide range of perfect kenya safari accommodation ranging from luxury, Midrange and Budget; campsites like Kiboko and Kathisayo and lodges like OI Donyo lodge and Campiya Kanzi among others.
Best time to visit;
The park can be visited throughout the year but the best recorded time for wildlife viewing is during dry months from June to October and January to February. But you can still visit the park during peak of the short rains that happens in November and heavy rains starts from April and May though, you may face some challenges to access the park due to poor roads.
During rainy season – you can enjoy low rates on accommodations because most of lodges in the park can be closed and few visitors on visit to the park.
Travelers are advised to use 4×4 wheel drive throughout the year.
Getting there;
By Roads;
From Kibwezi- turn right off the Mombasa Road ‘’coming from Nairobi’’ at Kibwezi, onto a sign posted road that leads after 9 kilometers to Kithasyo Gate and park headquarter.
From Tsavo West – it is possible to enter the park from Tsavo West.
By Air;
Mombasa Marine National Park has two airstrips
Get started now! Visit ‘’Green Hills of Africa’’ and get to enjoy into hidden part of paradise on the heart of Africa – Kenya . Visit Kenya for wildlife viewing in ‘’Chyulu National Park ‘’ .
