Chyulu Hills National Park, also known as the Green Hills of Africa, is one of the most scenic national parks in Kenya. It features a beautiful range of green hills, open landscapes, and clear blue skies. The hills stretch for about 150 kilometers, with the highest peak rising to 2,188 meters above sea level.
The park covers an area of 741 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest national parks in Kenya. It receives an average rainfall of 200–700mm per year, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C.
Within the park lies the longest lava tube in the world, forming a volcanic field that extends about 100 kilometers.
Park Overview
Chyulu Hills is part of the Tsavo Conservation Area, which includes Kibwezi Forest, Tsavo East National Park, and Tsavo West National Park. Many visitors combine a trip to Chyulu Hills with Tsavo West for a complete safari experience.
The park’s rainfall feeds important water sources such as the Galana River, Tsavo River, and Mzima Springs in the surrounding valley. However, there are no permanent rivers in the hills because the volcanic rock and ash are too porous to retain water. Rainwater seeps through the rocks and takes about 25 years to emerge at Mzima Springs.
Entry Fee
- Foreign Non-Residents: $25 for adults and $15 for children
- Foreign Residents and East African Citizens: 300 KES for adults and 215 KES for children
Visitors must show valid identification or residence documentation to qualify for the discounted rates.
History
The Chyulu Hills still display signs of volcanic activity that began around 1.4 million years ago in the northern part of the range and later spread southward. The last known eruptions at Shaitani and Chainu occurred in 1856, and these areas are still considered geologically active.
Chyulu Hills are among the youngest mountain ranges in the world. They were featured as the Ngong Hills in the film Out of Africa. The park was officially gazetted in 1983 after separating from Tsavo West National Park.
Wildlife
Chyulu Hills National Park is home to a wide variety of animals including buffalos, elephants, leopards, bushbucks, giraffes, elands, cheetahs, wildebeests, bush pigs, mountain reedbucks, klipspringers, and steenboks.
Reptiles such as pythons, puff adders, and black mambas can also be found here. The park is also home to rare eastern black rhinos and giant forest genets.
Things to Do in Chyulu Hills National Park
Bird Watching
The park is a paradise for bird lovers, with numerous bird species including: Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Shelley’s Francolin, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground Thrush, Olive Sunbird, Secretary Bird, Helmeted Guineafowl, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Pearl-spotted Owl, African Pygmy Falcon, and many others.
Mountain Climbing
With altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,160 meters, the park offers some of the best mountain climbing experiences in Kenya. There are several established trails where visitors can enjoy scenic views of the valleys below.
Horse Riding
Horseback safaris offer a unique way to explore the park. Visitors can ride through open plains and get close to wildlife such as antelopes in their natural environment. It provides a peaceful and intimate way to experience nature compared to vehicle game drives.
Wildlife Watching
Game drives in Chyulu Hills provide a chance to see black rhinos, cheetahs, reedbucks, wildebeests, and other animals. The park’s open landscapes make wildlife viewing enjoyable and rewarding.
Nature Guided Walks
For travelers who prefer to experience nature on foot, guided walks are available on designated trails. These walks are led by trained rangers and allow visitors to enjoy the park’s vegetation, birds, and animal life up close.
Hiking
Chyulu Hills is one of Kenya’s best hiking destinations, suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. The hills offer moderate trails that lead to scenic viewpoints and natural attractions.
Cultural Visits
The Chyulu region is home to the Maasai and Kamba communities, known for their rich traditions and cultural practices. Visitors can learn about their daily life, music, dances, and beliefs. Cultural visits are a great way to experience the local way of life.
Horse Riding Safaris
Another exciting activity in Chyulu Hills is the horse riding safari, which lets you explore wildlife areas on horseback. It’s a peaceful and eco-friendly way to see zebras, giraffes, and antelopes up close.
What to See and Do – Chyulu Hills National Park Attractions
Beautiful Hills
The green hills of Chyulu are one of the park’s main attractions. These beautiful landscapes represent the true beauty of Africa’s countryside, with wide grasslands and lush vegetation that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The Leviathan Cave
The Leviathan Cave, found at the edge of the Nyiri Desert, is one of the longest lava tubes in the world. It has two main sections:
Lower Leviathan, which stretches 2,170 meters long and reaches a depth of 70 meters, and
Upper Leviathan, which extends 9,152 meters long and reaches a depth of 408 meters.
Together, these sections make up the Leviathan Cave (or Kisula Cave), measuring about 11 kilometers in total length. It is the longest cave in Africa and one of the most fascinating natural wonders in Chyulu Hills National Park.
Scenery
The landscapes of Chyulu Hills offer some of the best views in Kenya. From the green hills to the golden savannah valleys, the park provides peaceful and scenic surroundings that are perfect for photography, sightseeing, and nature walks.
Tsavo Conservation Area
The Tsavo Conservation Area, also known as the Tsavo Ecosystem, includes Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park, and South Kitui National Reserve, along with neighboring community lands.
Together, these protected areas cover about 42,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest wildlife habitats in Kenya. Visitors can see a wide range of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and many bird species.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
In the past, the Tsavo region had one of the highest populations of rhinos in the world. However, heavy poaching in the late 19th and early 20th centuries caused a severe decline.
To protect the remaining rhinos, a special area was fenced and established as the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Today, this sanctuary is one of the best places in Kenya to see black rhinos and learn about conservation efforts aimed at saving them from extinction.
Kisula Lava Caves Exploration
The Kisula Lava Caves are another fascinating feature of Chyulu Hills National Park. These caves are among the deepest lava tubes in the world, with the most recent volcanic eruptions believed to have occurred about 240 years ago.
The Leviathan Cave, stretching over 11 kilometers, is the largest and most famous of these caves. Exploring these underground formations is a unique and adventurous activity for visitors to Chyulu Hills.
Makindu Sikh Temple
Located near the park is the Makindu Sikh Temple, a historic religious site built in 1926 by Sikh workers who helped construct the Uganda Railway.
The temple serves as an important place of worship for Sikh visitors and a cultural landmark for anyone interested in religious tourism. Travelers can stop here on their way to or from Chyulu Hills to learn about its history and community role.
Mzima Springs
The Mzima Springs consist of four natural freshwater springs that originate from underground water flowing from the Chyulu Hills. These springs are located in Tsavo West National Park and provide a vital water source for many animals and birds.
Visitors can enjoy clear views of hippos, crocodiles, and fish through underwater observation points, making Mzima Springs one of the most relaxing and rewarding places to visit near Chyulu Hills.
Amboseli National Park
Visitors to Chyulu Hills National Park can easily combine their trip with a visit to Amboseli National Park, located nearby. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds, scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, and rich birdlife, with more than 400 bird species recorded.
The park offers some of Kenya’s best wildlife viewing experiences and is an ideal complement to a Chyulu Hills adventure.
Location
Chyulu Hills National Park is located between Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Park in Makueni County, southeastern Kenya. It is about 232 kilometers from Nairobi and 150 kilometers from the Great Rift Valley.
The nearest town is Kibwezi, located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of the park.
Best Time to Visit
The park is hilly and mainly visited for hiking and climbing. The best time to visit is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During this time, the trails are dry and easy to hike, and wildlife viewing is also more rewarding.
Accommodation
There is limited accommodation inside Chyulu Hills National Park except for Kathisayo Campsite and Kiboko Campsite.
Visitors can stay in lodges and camps around the park such as:
Savannah Paradise Hotel, Shushan Palace, Ambokili Lodge, Camp Ya Kanzi, Ol Donyo Lodge, Finch Hattons Camp, Amboseli Getaway Hotel, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Tawi Lodge, and Kamboyo Guest House.
