Chyulu Hills

The Original Safari Destination

Chyulu Hills

The Chyulu Hills offer the quintessential African landscape experience and more. Tucked between the famous Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystem, with splendid views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the verdant Chyulu Hills, are a string of dormant and extinct volcanoes that have given rise to lush green hills, lava flows and craters.
The Chyulu Hills were the inspiration for Ernest Hemingway’s book ‘Green Hills of Africa’.
Chyulu Hills National Park boasts some of the deepest known lava tube caves in the world, a feature that has placed the park on the world map, attracting visitors from all over the world. The numerous lava tube caves, collectively known by the local community as Kisula Caves, criss cross the depths of Chyulu Hills. The Upper Leviathan Cave has been extensively explored and at 11.5km long, and has been established as one of the longest caves in the world.

highlights

The Kisula Caves complex

The chance to explore one of the deepest lava tubes in the world. The lava tubes are an attraction that has secured the Chyulu Hills on the world map. Levithan cave is considered the longest and deepest lava tube which was segmented by the movement of tectonic plates. The caves are frequently visited by geologists and volcanologists.
Caves in Chyulu Hills
Elephants in Chyulu Hills

Large Tuskers

Between Tsavo & Amboseli, the Chyulu Hills are part of the migratory routes for the bull elephants. The famous large Tuskers frequent the area moving between the breeding herds of Tsavo & Amboseli.

Walking Safaris

With stunning landscape with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and caves to explore, the Chyulu Hills is one of the best places in Kenya for hiking. A 15km hike from the park headquarters, through rugged unspoilt countryside, will get you to one of the entrances to the Kisula caves. The hike should take about 3 to 4 hours one way. It is also possible to access the caves with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. This national park has wildlife so it is highly advisable to go with an armed escort from the Kenya Wildlife Service, who is familiar with and willing to guide you inside the caves. (Apparently, some of the rangers are superstitious about caves and unwilling to escort visitors.) The best time to hike in the Chyulu Hills is from May to July and October to December.
Walking Safari
Little Bee Eater

Wildlife / birdlife

Though this national park has a low density of wildlife species, different wildlife, such as eastern black rhino, eland, masai giraffe, leopard, lion, zebras, cheetah and more can be seen as they around in search of water and pasture. Many different bird species can be seen in the endless plains, ranging from the endemic to native species, as well as forest birds.

Horseback riding

Horse Riding in the wild offers a unique experience. Riding through the diverse landscape, riders can get closer to wildlife in their natural environment without the disturbance of a vehicle.
Horse Back Safaris in Kenya

Best time to visit

The Chyulu Hills are known as the green hills of Africa, and to see them as lush as they have been described by Ernest Hemingway, would mean to visit after the rains have fallen. Usually the best time is between December – March and June – October.
Best time to Visit Chyulu Hills

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