Chyulu Hills National Park
The Chyulu Hills is a mountaineous range in Makueni County in south-eastern Kenya, forming a 100km long volcanic field in an elongated northeast southwest direction and its highest peak is 2,188 metres high. The Leviathan Cave in Chyulu Hills National Park is 11km long and one of the longest caves in Africa. The Hills stood in for the Ngong hills in the film out of Africa and the main gate is in Kibwezi in Makueni County.
The Chyulu Hills are located about 150 km east of the Kenya rift valley and consists of several hundred small flows and cones. Volcanism in the area started about 1.4 million years ago in the northern parts of the hills and over time the volcanism propagated towards the southeast and they are still considered active since their last two eruptions occurred in 1856.
The Chyulu Hills do not have any permanent rivers but rainfall on the hills feeds the tsavo, galana rivers and mzima springs on the surrounding plains and the hills divide the tsavo and Amboseli plains. The area is inhabited by Maasai and Kamba people. The Chyulu Hills National Park comprises the eastern flank of the hills and is operated by the Kenya wildlife services.
Potential threats to the ecosystem include poaching and over grazing by growing population of Maasai herders and scarcity of water. Lower parts of the hills are composed of grassland and thicket while above roughly 1800 metres is dominated by montane forests containing Neoboutonia macro calyx, soccer ball, African cherry, Strombosia scheffleri, Cassipourea malosana, black ironwood, and African holly. Some isolated parts are dominated by Abyssinian coral tree. Lower parts of the forest are dominated either by African juniper or Commiphora baluensis. The hills contain mammals which include eastern black rhinos, cape buffalos, bushbucks, elands, elephants, bush pigs, Masai giraffe, leopards, lions, mountain reedbucks, steinbok, wildebeest and Grant’s zebras. Cheetahs with various snakes inhabit which include black mamba, puff adder and rock python. There are various bird species on the hills with some endemic races which include; Shelley’s francolin, white-starred robin, orange ground thrush, cinnamon bracken warbler, Ayres’s hawk-eagle, African crowned eagle, martial eagle, and Abbott’s starling.
There is a wild cat growing on the hills which is picked by local people. There is also some cultivation of cat around the hills.
Top tourism attractions in Chyulu hills
Chyulu hills national park, just like other parks, it has different tourism attractions that pull tourists to visit the park year to year. Below are the attractions that offer a memorable experience in Kenya;
Wildlife.
Chyulu Hills national park is surrounded with the numerous wildlife including the cheetahs, antelopes, black rhino, zebra, eland, wildebeest, steenbok, bush bucks, reedbucks, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, elephants among others and some of these species are endangered and in Chyulu national park, the cheetahs are sighted at the plains of the Chyulu Hills and also there are snakes inhabit the hills such as the black mamba, puff adder, rock python and many more.
Leviathan cave.
Leviathan cave is the longest and the deepest known lava tube in Africa, located in the Chyulu Hills national park at the edge of the Nyiri Desert which is found northwest of tsavo west national park and during the period of the 1980’s, the Leviathan cave was the third-longest known lava tube in the world.
Magnificent scenery.
This is found in Chyulu Hills national park with the mixture of the volcanic ash cones, barren lava flows, big black rocks and the caves, covered with green vegetation consisting of the 37 species of orchids that is why the park is called the green hills of Africa and generally the Chyulu Hill national park is covered by the series of vegetation cover in the various region.
Chyulu Hills.
Chyulu hills are the great attraction in the park, lieing on the east of the Kenya rift diving Tsavo and Amboseli plains, and the hills consists of the hundreds of the small flows, cones and a leviathan cave.
Bird species.
Chyulu Hills national park is the birding destination especially for the birders who come to visit the park, making your safari the best due to the dominated savannah vegetation which attracts various species of birds with forest bird species. The park is a home of over 171 bird species of various categories that are vulnerable bird species, critically endangered species and near-threatened species.
Top activities to do in the park.
The reserve is not only attractive but also offering opportunities to explore the it by providing tourist activities to engage in as a way of giving you a practical experience and memories which make your safari memorable and fun. Below are the top activities to do in the Chyulu hills reserve/ national park.
Hiking
Hiking in Chyulu Hills national park is done on the Chyulu hills using various trails passing through the forests leading to the high altitudes of the hills and during your hiking activity experience, you will have an opportunity to enjoy watching many forests inhabits including the primates like baboons, Skye’s forest and many bird species.
Wildlife viewing.
Wildlife viewing activity is done in the park which is boasted with a number of different animals’ species that include antelopes, black rhinos, eland, wildebeest, bush bucks, bush pigs, elephants, cheetahs and many more. The park also has got a number of reptiles like the black mamba, monitor lizards, rock python, puff adder and many more during the game viewing activity where guests can be able to explore the wildlife of the park in their open proof 4×4-wheel vehicles.
Bird watching.
The park has got over 171 bird species that are both the residential and migratory from Europe and North Africa and birders who come to visit the park usually enjoy the activity of bird watching on Lake Jipe at the southern Western of the park. Tourists can be able to spot Von der Decken’s hornbill, African Wood-Owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Narina Trogon, Martial Eagle, White-backed Vulture and many more.
Horse riding.
Horseback riding is one of the newly introduced ways of exploring safari destinations in Africa including some parks and horseback riding is an eco-friendly safari activity offering an opportunity for tourists to get close to various animal species and visit areas of the park that are not reached by foot.
Camping.
The park provides the tourists with camping activities, this is where the tourists experience the nature of the wilderness in the park and here the tourists do pitch their tents on the ground also other self-contained tents are also provided to the tourists those especially who need the special camp sites but on an extra cost. This activity brings animals close to you with birds and monkeys with a breathtaking fresh air from the green forests of the reserve.
Nature guided walks.
The nature walk activity is done in the reserve covered with ecosystem, grasslands which offers close feeling of nature, wilderness and plants and animals that are in the reserve. This activity is done with the help of a safari guide and a park ranger, giving you information about different trees and plants in the reserve. Nature walks also help tourists to visit the waterbodies around where animals can easily be seen making your safari spectacular.
Visiting Kisula larva caves.
Chyulu Hills national park is the deepest and longest lava tubes in the entire world with the Leviathan caves which are 11.5km long. Many tourists who visit the Chyulu Hills national park are interested in the hiking of the Kisula larva caves which takes about 3 to 4 hours which gives the best view of the national park/reserve of Chyulu hills.
Mountain biking.
Tourists are also allowed to carry out mountain biking activity in the park as to explore the rolling Green hills on a bicycle with a head helmet. This activity is adventurous to bikers giving them a thoroughly and close exploration in the reserve on top of the hills where you will spot birds, monkeys, baboons on the slopes of the hills.
Where to stay in Chyulu national park.
Chyulu hills national reserve/ park has a number of surrounded accommodations ranging from lodges, camps and hotels. It also offers camping sights that is more incredible and experimental than all accommodations. Below are some of the accommodations ranging from budget, luxury and mid-range;
Ol Donyo Lodge
Ol Donyo lodge is located away in the cool shadow of the Chyulu Hills in Amboseli one of Kenya’s most prized safari destinations and the lodge boasts spacious guest suites each featuring their own exclusive plunge pool, as well as a rooftop terrace where an elegant star bed can be set up to sleep the glittering night sky. Guests dine on tantalising meals accompanied by an extensive wine list and served in the elegant dining area and after a rewarding morning of game viewing, guests can choose to cool off in the inviting infinity pool or with a relaxing massage.
Campi ya Kanzi
Campi ya Kanzi was opened in 1998 as a luxury home stay operated by an Italian couple who were deeply committed to the environment and their local Maasai community. It has since evolved into an expansive, 16-bed tented camp set on the hillsides around the family’s former home, which today forms the main dining and lounge area. The lodge offers an experience of birds that fly around, monkeys and baboons giving you closer experience.
Maasai Simba camp
This is a mid-range accommodation located in the heart of Masai county along Kiboko river which is 22 miles from Amboseli park in Kenya and it is set in the wildlife corridor of Amboseli and Chyulu hills national parks. It is situated in an ideal place which is convenient to tourists offering them a spectacular view of the savannah and snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro. The camp also gives you the breast fresh air at night and beautiful birds and animal sounds in the quiet nights leaving you smiling and having a peaceful sleep. The camp offers facilities and services like; well equipped bar, lunch, dinners both indoor and outdoor, swimming pool with sundowners and it has camping services, free Wi-Fi among others.
Sunview lodge.
The lodge is located in kibwezi 7.6miles from makindu railway station with accommodations and a shared lounge, free private parking. All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower, free toiletries and slippers. At Sunview Lodge & Restaurant the rooms include bed linen and towels.
About Ambokili Lodges
Lodges are located at only 30 minutes drive to Amboseli National Park and the resort is a good value accommodation for couples looking for tranquillity away from the bustling city.
The rooms are each designed to offer scenic views of the Mount Kilimanjaro.
The onsite restaurant offers a variety of local dishes and contemporary cuisine on its menu, serveing English breakfast with fruits in season on a la carte service and guests can dine outside on the terrace to enjoy the view of the setting sun.
Best Time to Visit Chyulu national reserve
Chyulu Hills is a game destination visited throughout the year but wildlife viewing tends to be best in the dry months from Jane to October and January to February. However, you can still visit during peak of the short rains that happens in November and long rains from April and May although can be a challenging time in transport means because roads tend to be in poor condition during the 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.
Getting to Chyulu national reserve.
From Nairobi through passing a side trip from Tsavo West it takes 232km to reach the main destination. From Mombasa to Chyulu hills national park covers 250 km by road.
Air: This national park has got two airstrips that can be accessed 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 sand experience more about African beautiful nature.