Chyulu Hills National Park
Dubbed the “Green Hills of Africa”, the breathtaking scenery is the central attraction of the Chyulu Hills National Park located in the Makueni county of southeastern Kenya. Established in 1983, Chyulu Hills National Park is operated by Kenya Wildlife Services.
Chyulu Hill’s volcanic origins contribute to the park’s rich and diverse ecosystems, including grasslands, thickets and montane forests. These diverse ecosystems are home to some of Kenya’s rare wildlife species, including bird species such as Shelley’s francolin and orange ground thrush.
Wildlife in Chyulu Hills National Park
In Chyulu Hill National Park has a low concentration of wildlife, although visitors have a good chance of spotting animals such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, and klipspringer.
Lucky visitors might also spot the region’s primates, Sykes monkeys and baboons. Although the park doesn’t have a large presence of wildlife, predators such as lions and leopards from Tsavo West National Park pass through the Chyulu Hills National Park. The park is also home to several species of reptiles such as rock python, puff adder, black mamba, lizard, gecko, and tortoise as well as various species of insects such as dung beetles and butterflies.
Chyulu’s unique ecosystem also offers a rich environment for birdlife. The park is home to over 300 bird species: bird enthusiasts may come across its extraordinary birdlife such as Hartlaub’s turaco, purple-crested turaco, Delegrogue’s pigeon, tambourine dove, African palm-swift, Eurasian nightjar, black crake, crowned lapwing, great egret, African harrier-hawk, mountain buzzard, African wood-owl, speckled mouse bird, and cinnamon-chested bee-eater. These birds can be seen across Chyulu Hills at spots including its savannah plains, forest galleries, and along Lake Jipe’s shores.
Chyulu Hills National Park Premier Attractions
- Chyulu Hills: Chyulu Hills, a mountain range within the park, isa 100 km long volcanic field offering spectacular views from the Chyulu Hills. It is one of the youngest volcanoes that last erupted in 1855, forming cylindrical passages known as lava tubes that were hollowed out by the flow of molten lava within the hills. This led to the formation of the Kisula caves, another highlight of Chyulu Hills.
- Kisula or Leviathan Caves: Chyulu Hills National Park is home toone of the longest caves in Africa: the Leviathan cave is 11 km long. During a visit, travellers can explore the cave and have the chance to see the cone-shaped stalagmites hanging fromthe cave walls.
List of Activities to do in the park
- Game viewing
- Birdwatching
- Bush walks
- Camping
- Horse riding
- Mountain climbing
When to Visit Chyulu Hills National Park
The best time to visit Chyulu Hills National Park for wildlife viewing is during the dry season, from June to October and January to February. During the wet season, the Chyulu Hills are a rewarding sight, but the poor road conditions make visiting difficult. Since a visit in the wet season can get tricky and sometimes dangerous, the dry season is an ideal time for wildlife and bird watching.
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