Chyulu Hills National Park
“The Green Hills of Africa”
Chyulu Hills National Park; – simply called Chyulu National Park is a mountain range located in Makueni County in southeastern Kenya. Dominated by extinct volcanoes, Chyulu Hills forms a 100-kilometre-long volcanic field in an elongated northeast–southwest direction with its highest peak towering at 2,188 metres high above sea level.
Set perfectly in between Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli National Park, Chyulu National Park boasts striking and diverse landscapes, still showing signs of its volcanic origins. Featuring verdant rolling hills of endless green bush, great blue skies and spectacular landscape views, this is what the Chyullu Hills provide nature lovers with. Sadly enough, there isn’t much wildlife around.
One of Kenya’s little-visited parks, Chyulu National Park is a line of pretty green hills that rise above the arid plains of Tsavo. The park’s Upper Leviathan Cave is one of the world’s longest caves, and the hills here play an important role, acting as a water catchment zone, with its water feeding many permanent fresh water sources in the surrounding plains notably Mzima springs, Umanyi, Kibwezi, Makindu and the Tsavo river which feeds the Galana river.
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Chyulu Hills Landscape & Scenery
Chyulu is a rugged wilderness, with the core upland areas, which form the bulk of the national park, comprised mainly of dome-topped hills, in part covered by patches of open acacia woodlands and dense forests. The park is in addition characterized by jagged ridges, a magical land of black frozen lava studded with blazing red-hot poker trees. Taking an up-close view, these mountain hills are a dark world of black volcanic soil, black rocks, ash cones and barren lava flows, with some notable unexplored caves.
Chyulu National Park Attractions
The Leviathan; the park boasts of Leviathan, one of the longest lava tubes in the world, and the longest in Africa stretching 12Km long (Kisula cave). The porous nature of lava rocks has helped keep the surrounding areas abundant with fresh water thereby providing the perfect sanctuary for the region’s ample wildlife. Luckily, you’re only allowed to enter the cave in the company of a KWS ranger, with full caving equipment and with prior permission from the warden. When it comes to Chyulu, you can look forward to caving. This Upper Leviathan Cave is worth exploring.
Top Things To Do In Chyulu National Park
Discover some of the best things to do in Chyulu National Park. The setting and climate of Tsavo ecosystem allows for quality wildlife viewing all-round the year; from birding, bush sundowners, and guided nature walks. Let’s have a look at the notable activities that Chyulu National Park offers.
1. Game Drives Safari In Chyulu National Park
Similar to Tsavo East, and Tsavo West, guided game drives are the main activity in Chyulu National Park. Drives, which will take you around the park in search of wildlife and bird species. Therefore, the early morning and late afternoon game drive provides an ideal opportunity to explore the park. Also, the game viewing drives normally start as early as 6:00am. and involve the use of a 4X4 Land Cruiser Jeep with an open roof-top.
The game drives will also be visiting Tsavo National Park where wildlife is plenty; or afternoons spent at the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.
The Land Cruiser safari vehicles accommodate 6 seat passengers (everyone with their own spacious window seat) but can additionally seat up to 8 adults with an extra seat included and with one person sitting beside the Driver. The vehicle has a spacious game viewing roof, is more reliable, strong and spacious enough while also being marginally more comfortable than the only other option.
2. Horseback Safaris In Chyulu Park
For the more adventurous guests curious about Kenya horse safaris, discover the exciting horseback safari in Chyulu Hills. We’ll start-off with breakfast at the lodge, before we set out game watching on horseback, travelling in and around diverse landscapes. This wonderful adventure is set against the backdrop of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro.
The horseback safaris packages are well suited to all levels of travelers. Guests can also spot plains game within beautiful landscapes, as the rides take you from forests and deep savannah plains to dense bush woodlands, and clear springs. Horseback safaris allow you to get close to nearby wildlife.
3. Walking Safari In Chyulu Hills Park
Head out on an adventurous Maasai-guided walking safaris; perfect opportunity to experience the unique flora & fauna on foot. Discover Chyulu on nature walks with an experienced ranger guide, learning the small details and connectivity of your surrounding environment; – immersing you in the solace and tranquility of the wilderness.
4. Mountain Biking In Chyulu Hills Park
Another adrenaline filled activity in Chyulu Park is the Mountain Biking adventure that allows you to explore this rock and hill landscape, ideally placed between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. A rare chance to cycle pass oryx, the giraffes, gazelles, gerenuk, and the region’s most abundant antelope, the Coke’s hartebeest.
Guests staying at one of the ranches in the area, most owned by local Maasai communities, will have the opportunity to enjoy one of many mountain biking trails in the area.
5. Birdwatching In Chyulu Park
Together with Tsavo West Park, and the Taita Hills Sanctuary, Chyulu Park has an astounding number of bird species. With over 300 bird species recorded in the park. On a tour to Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills will bring you close to an abundance of bird species.
6. Bush Meals, Dinners & Sundowners In Chyulu Park
Delight in the wide-open sky and space of Chyulu Park on an unforgettable bush sundowner at Chyulu Park, where you will be served drinks and cocktails while watching the sight of the African sunset.
Guests can sip on a sundowner and spy on game from the sitting room, which overlooks a nearby waterhole. This happens as the sun begins its descent, the sundowner begins with a gentle evening game drive, arriving at the sundowner site just as the evening sky turns gold-pink, surrounded by nothing but scenic views framed by stunning landscapes and magnificent wildlife. (Can at times take place within the lodge premises).
Picnic Lunch: usually arranged during a full day game outing in the reserve so that one does not have to go back to the lodge or camp for lunch, the meal itself is in the form of packed lunch boxes which are provided by your camp or lodge by prior arrangement the night before to allow them adequate time to prepare the meal boxes. The meal will be enjoyed under a tree, on a scenic setting out in the wild.
Bush Breakfast & Dinners: in the case of a Bush dinner, this could also be an event in itself around a bonfire with entertainment such as light music or tribal dance performances. Bush meals are typically arranged at special chosen sites within Chyulu Park – generally located outside of but very near the respective Lodges or Camps. Expect the menus to range from multi-course fine cuisine to more casual bush barbeque meals, prices for these special meals vary widely starting from USD 70 per person all the way to USD 150 per person for a more luxurious bush meal.
Special Requests: the meals can also be arranged to cater for certain special dietary requirements such as gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and even restricted vegetarian such as for Indian Jain diets which exclude use of Onions or Garlic as ingredients. Though choices are limited for bush meals, in-house dining at the lodges or camps promises more dietary options. Make sure you make an early request for easy planning.
Animals & Wildlife In Chyulu National Park
In addition to the breathtaking landscapes and views, Chyulu Park is home to a collection of game, the plains to the southwest of the hills is home to a very wide range of wildlife, notably including giraffes, elephants, zebras and wildebeest. Predators including lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, leopards and servals are also present, but sightings can be tricky. The bird watchers’ paradise of Lake Jipe lies in the south-west corner of the reserve. In general, the wildlife densities are low.
Best Time For Wildlife Viewing In Chyulu National Park
While Chyulu Park is beautiful all year round, the best time to visit Chyulu Park for wildlife watching is in the dry months of (June to October) when the vegetation thins out and animals gather around remaining water sources. Still – the dry months from January to February also makes up a great time for wildlife viewing. The wettest months are April and November.
Birdlife & Birds In Chyulu Park
Chyulu is home to rare forest birds, and bird watching is a great activity for bird lovers in the dense montane forest of the western sector of the park. Some of the popular bird species include; Hartlaus Turacos, sunbird, speckled moosebird and white eared barbet. Trumpet Hornbill, Rare Basra reedwarbler, Sun bird, Yellow-billed Greenbul and Blue eared sparling. A drive to Lake Jipe takes us to yet another bird watchers’ paradise which lies in the south-west corner of the reserve.
Best Time For Bird Watching In Chyulu National Park
The wilderness of Chyulu Park offers very rewarding birding opportunities all year. Migratory birds arrive in the reserve around November and stay until April. However, be prepared with the weather changes, as short showers can start at any moment. That said, same case as Tsavo West, and Tsavo East, December to February or March are generally best for bird watching.
Best Time To Visit Chyulu National Park
Similar to Tsavo West & Tsavo East safari parks, though Chyulu Park can be visited year-round, wildlife watching is best viewed in the dry months from June to October and again from January to March; during this time there is little to no rainfall, and climate conditions in the park are favorable for wildlife watching. The animals can be spotted around the nearby water holes as they quench their thirst. Now this is a good time to plan a trip to Chyulu Park.
Chyulu Park’s wet safari seasons comprise November and April. During these months, wildlife (with water and food more widely available they will spread out) and is more challenging to spot in the long grass. However, if you are a bird lover, and would love to experience the lush green vegetation, then a visit during the wet season is perfect to enjoy a birdwatching safari as many migratory birds come here during this season; – getting wet is not an issue because it doesn’t rain daily.
The Weather & Climate At Chyulu Park
Together with Tsavo East, and Tsavo West, while planning safaris to Chyulu Park and the whole of Tsavo Ecosystem be ready to for a hot, dry climate with average temperatures varying in between 31°C/88°F during daytime and 20°C/68°F at night. For the morning game drives, we recommend you bring with you warm clothing. Given Kenya’s climate pattern, rainfall will be experienced in late April and November, bringing both the long and short rains, respectively. Though the rain tends to fall as short, heavy showers.
Generally, the conditions tend to stay hot and dry throughout the year at Chyulu National Park. The wet seasons in Chyulu National Park (November to May) can get particularly hot, especially during the break.
Dry Season In Chyulu National Park – June to October
These are the dry seasons characterized by sunny days – there is no rainfall.
June & July – Days are typically hot and sunny with pleasant temperatures of around 29°C/84°F.
August & September – Both months of August & September are characterized by a rise in daytime temperatures on an average of 29°C/84°F.
October – come October, expect a hot and humid climate, with temperatures increasing prior to the arrival of short November rains.
Wet Season In Chyulu National Park – November to May
Tsavo East’s wetter season is marked by short rains followed by the long rains. Remember, January and February are part of the dry months in between.
November & December – these months signals the start of the short rains in Tsavo East National Park. During this period, expect short afternoon storms with daytime temperatures at an average of 33°C/84°F, which can rise. In addition, the skies tend to be clearer & sunny days possible.
January & February – with the exact timing a little challenging to predict. These months break the rains and welcomes a dry season; – making it good for game viewing, with February labelled as the hottest month, temperatures peaking to an average of 30°C/86°F or even higher.
March, April & May – call it the long rainy season, usually kicks off late in March. Remember, it hardly ever rains all day, just surprising afternoon showers; – still pleasant temperatures characterized by sunshine & clear skies is experienced. Late April can receive the most of rainfall, with an estimated temperatures of around 30°C/86°F.
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Safari Tours To Chyulu Park
Want to visit Chyulu National Park? This is one of the most rewarding safari destinations in southern Kenya that you can easily add on a safari package to Masai Mara. Being close to Nairobi, you can easily start off with short Nairobi daytrip tours then proceed to Tsavo making it easy to visit in a short time frame, and combine it with other parks as well.
You have plenty of choices to pick from, Tsavo midrange safaris to Tsavo luxury safaris depending on your travel style.
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