Chyulu Hills National Park

Chyulu Hills National Park: Where Natural Wonders Abound

The Chyulu Hills National Park is a true testament to the raw beauty of nature. Located in southeastern Kenya, the Chyulu Hills form a 100-kilometer-long volcanic field that stretches out in a northeast-southwest direction. The highest peak in the park towers at 2,188 meters above sea level, providing a panoramic view of the stunning landscapes below.The park’s Leviathan Cave, also known as the Kisula caves, is a natural wonder that spans a staggering 11 kilometers, making it one of the longest caves in Africa. Visitors to the park can explore the cave’s winding tunnels and marvel at the awe-inspiring rock formations that have been formed over millions of years.The Chyulu Hills are located approximately 150 kilometers east of the Kenya Rift, and are made up of several hundred small flows and cones. The volcanism in the area started over 1.4 million years ago in the northern parts of the hills and has since propagated towards the southeast. These volcanoes are still considered active, as their last eruptions occurred in 1856, with the Shaitani and Chainu eruptions.The park’s main gate is situated in Kibwezi, in the Makueni County, and is part of the Tsavo conservation area, which also covers Tsavo West National Park, Tsavo East National Park, and the Kibwezi Forest. The Chyulu Hills also played a starring role in the movie Out of Africa, standing in for the Ngong Hills.The Chyulu Hills National Park is a melting pot of biodiversity, with a range of flora and fauna that is sure to amaze. The lower parts of the hills are made up of grasslands and thickets, while the higher elevations are dominated by montane forests. The forest is home to a range of unique plant species, including Neoboutonia macrocalyx, soccerball fruit, African cherry, Strombosia scheffleri, Cassipourea malosana, black ironwood, and African holly. Some isolated parts of the forest are dominated by Abyssinian coral trees, while lower parts are dominated by African juniper or Commiphora baluensis.The Chyulu Hills are also home to an array of wildlife, including eastern black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, bushbucks, elands, elephants, bushpigs, Masai giraffes, leopards, lions, mountain reedbucks, steinbok, wildebeest, and Grant’s zebras. Cheetahs are found on the plains of the Chyulu Hills, while various snakes, such as black mambas, puff adders, and rock pythons, inhabit the hills.The park is also home to various bird species, including 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. Some of these bird species are endemic to the park and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.Local people have also taken advantage of the park’s rich resources, with wild khat growing on the hills and being picked by the community. Khat from the Chyulu Hills is known as Chuylu, as opposed to Miraa, which is cultivated in the Meru County.The Chyulu Hills National Park was formed in 1983 and is operated by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The park comprises the eastern flank of the hills and forms a northwestern continuation of Tsavo West National Park, while the western flank of the hills is covered by the West Chyulu Game Conservation.Chyulu Hills National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable experience of Kenya’s natural beauty.