Located approximately 200km from Nairobi and just 9km off the highway, the Chyulu Hills National Park is the gateway to the Chyulu Hills.
Chyulu is a haven for nature lovers. Its spectacular landscape offers views of rolling hills, endless lush greenery and black frozen lava. Famous for hiking and camping, Chyulu is a magical land for those who love the outdoors.
Directions and Access
To get there, you branch off the Mombasa Highway at Manyanga town and drive for approximately 9km to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) park gate where you will be required to pay a park entrance fee. Please note that they do not accept cash payments at the gate.
It is highly recommended that you use a four-wheel drive vehicle and be accompanied by an armed ranger. The ranger will also act as your guide since they know the park inside out. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) provides rangers at a fee.
There is also an airstrip (Kithasyo Airstrip) inside the park and a train station, Kibwezi SGR Station in Kibwezi.
Park Activities
Kisula Caves and Campsite
Explore the Kisula (Leviathan) Caves, the longest lava tubes in Africa and amongst the longest in the world at 11.5km. Please consult with your guide and follow their directions before exploring the caves due to safety concerns.
The campsite has a long drop toilet, a bathroom and a shelter with a picnic table and bench. Please note that water is not provided.
Satellite Hill and Campsite
Hike up the Satellite Hill and stay at the campsite. The hill offers spectacular views of the entire Chyulu range of hills and on a clear day, you will be able to view Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The campsite has a long drop toilet and a bathroom but no shelter so prepare with that in mind. There is a small trailer with water that can be used for washing and bathing. It can get pretty windy up there so be sure to set-up your camp close to trees and secure your tents and equipment.
Hiking
Other than camping, Chyulu is known as a hiking destination. The various hills offer several options for hikers to chose from depending on level of difficulty that they may desire. You will get to see some of the most spectacular views you will get anywhere in Kenya.
Game Viewing
Chyulu is not know for game viewing so don’t visit with that in mind otherwise you will likely be disappointed. If you are lucky, you may get to see a couple of elephants and/or giraffes but the denseness of the forest makes it hard to see any game save for the random antelopes that wonder onto the road.
This does not mean that there are no animals at Chyulu. They are just hard to spot. Some of the animals found in the park include elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, elands, giraffes, zebras etc.
Bird Watching and Wildlife
Bird lovers will however have their day as several bird species are found at Chyulu 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.
Various snakes also inhabit the hills including the black mamba, puff adder and rock python.
Local Flora
There is wild khat growing on and around the hills Khat from Chyulu hills is known as Chuylu, as opposed to Miraa, which is cultivated in Meru County.
