Chyulu Hills National Park is one of Kenya’s most picturesque parks located in Makueni, South-Eastern Kenya. This park lies just close to Tsavo city in Kenya and it is popular for its remarkable landscape which comprises of endless hills plus an ever-green vegetation making it a true Green Hills of Africa.
Chyulu Hills National Park has existed as a national park since 1983 when it was established and like most protected areas in Kenya, it is also governed by Kenya Wildlife Services. It is one of holidaymakers’ most favorite destination while on Kenya safari tour. It is an expansive protected area occupying 741sq.kms of land area. Chyulu Hills National Park takes its name from Chyulu Hills (2188m).
Location
Chyulu Hills National Park is located in the Eastern part of Kenya, Makueni County. It is situated between Tsavo National Parks and Amboseli National Park, 200kms from Nairobi Capital City and 150kms East of Kenya Rift Valley and from Kibwezi Town about 30kms.
History of Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya
The history of Chyulu Hills National Park dates back to 1983 when it became a national park. It joins Tsavo West National Park in the north-west, and its western flank hills it extends to West Chyulu Game Conservation which is managed by Masai ranchers.
Wildlife species
Chyulu Hills National Park is blessed with diversity of wildlife mostly comprising of mammal species. The park’s iconic species of wildlife to expect to explore include the Maasai giraffes, Eastern black rhinos, Grant’s zebras, bush bucks, elephants, Steinbok, buffaloes, leopards, elands, bush pigs, cheetahs, reedbucks, monitor lizards.
Bird species
An estimated population of about 300 bird species are confined within the various habitats of Chyulu Hills National Park with Lake Jipe being its significant bird watching site. These include African grey flycatchers, white eyed slaty flycatchers, bronze sunbird, scarlet chested sunbird, ruppell’s robin chat, Thrush nightingale, francolinus shelleyi, olive sunbird. Others include lemon dove, African green pigeon, Eurasian nightjar, white backed vulture, pearly spotted owlet, purple crested coucal, alpine swift, crested guinea fowl, helmeted guinea fowl, great egret, tambourine dove, African harrier hawk, speckled mouse bird.
The spectacular sceneries
Chyulu Hills National Park is one of the spectacular protected areas in Kenya most popular for its breathtaking sceneries. The park is blessed with diversity of natural features such as the barren lava, volcanic ash cones, and caves beneath the hills, black rocks and many more.
Chyulu Hills
The Chyulu Hills comprise of a chain of hills and includes the Eastern flank of the hills and several small flows and cones. These formed due to volcanic eruption dating back to about 1.4million years. These hills last recorded their eruptions in 1856 but they are still listed among the active volcanoes.
The Chyulu hills are generally steep, dusty and offer challenging trekking experience to enthusiastic hikers on Kenya hiking safaris. The hills consist of acacia trees that become dominant and to the south, trekkers can enjoy the breathtaking view of park’s vast plains and Kilimanjaro.
Levithan cave
The Levithan cave is one of the amazing natural features holidaymakers on Chyulu Hills National Park safari shouldn’t miss to explore. It is one of the longest and deepest lava tubes on earth. This cave is also called Kisula cave and consists of different sections; the upper and lower Levithan.
Levithan cave separated due to tectonic plate movement, the hot lava that flowed beneath a cooled crust that resulted into creation of the Lower Levithan. Levithan cave comes in a cone shape and features hanging stalagmites.
Vegetation
Chyulu Hills National Park features a distinct vegetation ranging in its varied parts. On the lower slopes of the hills, there exist grasslands and thickets. On the top part about 1800m it is dominated by the montane forests comprising of tree species like oleo capensis, prunus Africana, stapfiana and others.
WHAT TO DO IN CHYULU HILLS NATIONAL PARK.
Wildlife viewing
Chyulu Hills National Park is one of the best places in Kenya visitors can visit to enjoy game viewing. Some of the park’s interesting species of wildlife to expect to come across on game viewing/game drive (in the morning or afternoon) include leopards, zebras, elands, bush pigs, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, birds, elephants, lions.
The best months of the year to visit Chyulu Hills National Park for game viewing is from January to February and June, July, August, September and October.
Birding
Chyulu Hills National Park is one of Kenya’s birder’s haven. Bird watching in this park is interesting as you come across amazing bird species. The park’s notable bird species to expect to sight include purple crested coucal, Eurasian nightjars, African green pigeon, scaly francolin, helmeted guinea fowl, black crake, grey heron, cuckoos, brown snake eagles, alpine swift, lemon dove and great egrets.
Expect also to sight for the scarlet chested sunbirds, African grey flycatchers, white slaty flycatchers, francolinus shelleyi, and stephanoaetus coronatus. These incredible species of birds range from the park’s forests, Lake Jipe and savanna plains. Birding in Chyulu Hills National Park is best as a solo activity or combined with game viewing or game drives.
Hiking safaris
Hiking in Chyulu Hills National Park is remarkable. Hikes are conducted starting from the base of Chyulu Hills up to its summit. You take on the existing trails with opportunity to also sight other interesting creatures such as the Skye monkeys, baboons, bird especially the Eurasian nightjars, purple crested coucal, African green pigeon, brown snake eagle, grey heron, black crake, alpine swift, crowned lapwing and others.
Bush walks/cave exploration
When it comes to nature, Chyulu Hills National Park truly blessed with a lush green vegetation, birds, wildlife. These can be explored on bush walks or cave tours. The unique plant species this park is endowed with include woodlands, acacia trees, orchids and others.
The guided bush walks or cave tours are conducted with the park guide on lead. The cave consists of the upper and lower sections.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is an exciting experience and exceptionally, the best way to indulge yourself into the wilderness of Chyulu Hills National Park. It is a unique way to see the park’s diverse species of wildlife while on the horseback rather than in a vehicle. You ride via the park’s plains while spotting creatures like giraffes, cheetahs, birds, antelopes, zebras and others.
Cultural experience
Chyulu Hills National Park safari holiday also includes cultural visit to the Maasai Community for a thrilling cultural experience. It is a perfect way to interact with the Maasai, learn about their traditions, norms and enjoy their dances.
Camping
Camping should be a must-do on safari in Chyulu Hills National Park. This is an exceptional opportunity to get close to nature, explore and experience what this park has to offer the world when it comes to nature.
When to visit?
Chyulu Hills National Park Kenya is open to holidaymakers on Kenya safari all year-round. But wildlife/game viewing experience is best done during the following months of the year; June, July, August, September to October-the long dry months of the year or during the short dry season starting from January, February.
The advantage of visiting Chyulu Hills National Park Kenya during the dry months is that these are months most of parts of the park remain dry since it records the least rainfall amount. This is one reason why most holidaymakers prefer them for game viewing as it is easier to navigate through the park game tracks. Traveling during the wet months (March to May or November to December) is also good but these are the months when there is plenty of rainfall. Most of the park’s game trails get muddy and traveling to enjoy a game drive/game viewing becomes a little challenging. This is when the park’s vegetation also becomes dense which makes it hard to have clear sight of wildlife and also to take photos of wildlife.
While on a safari to Chyulu Hills National Park, it is essential to park the right gear no matter the season. First, have a rain jacket, daypack, camera, safari clothes, insect repellents, snacks, bottle of drinking, safari hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, sanitizer, toiletries and others.
Accommodation
Chyulu Hills National Park doesn’t have plenty of accommodation choices but it has a few comfortable ones for your overnight stay. They include Kathisayo Campsite, Ol Donyo Lodge, Kiboko Campsite, Shushan Palace, Kanzi House, Savanna Paradise Hotel and others.
Access to Chyulu Hills National Park
Chyulu Hills National Park is reachable by road or by air. By road, it is 250kms from Nairobi capital city and Mombasa. If you are at Tsavo West National Park, it is easier to get to Chyulu Hills National Park. Visitors can drive through Kibwezi and then access the park using 4WD vehicle. By air, fly from Jomo Kenyatta Airport or Wilson Airport up to Ol Donyo Lodge airstrip.
Entry fees to Chyulu Hills National Park Kenya
There are 3 categories of visitors that are charged for accessing Chyulu Hills National Park for a safari holiday. They include citizens, foreign residents and foreign non-residents. The entry fee paid by adult Kenyans/Citizens is Kshs300, children pay Kshs. 125. Adult foreign residents pay Kshs 600 and children Kshs. 255; foreign non-residents pay $22 and children $13.
