Chyulu Hills National Park

Chyulu Hills National Park safari guide

Chyulu Hills National Park is a scenic alternative to Kenya's busier wildlife parks. The landscape is shaped by relatively young volcanic activity, with rounded green ridges, dark lava flows, forested slopes and extensive underground cave systems. The hills sit between the Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystems and offer wide views across southern Kenya, with Mount Kilimanjaro visible from favourable viewpoints.

Wildlife densities inside the park are lower than in classic game viewing destinations, so Chyulu is best approached as a landscape, hiking, caving and birding destination rather than a place to chase a long checklist of large mammals. Giraffe, zebra, baboon, blue monkey and smaller antelope may be encountered, while the wooded western slopes and surrounding conservation areas support a broader range of wildlife.

The volcanic caves are one of the park's defining features. Upper Leviathan Cave is part of an extraordinary lava tube system, while the forested upper slopes support orchids, butterflies and rich birdlife. The hills also form an important water catchment feeding springs farther south, linking the Chyulu landscape ecologically with Tsavo West National Park. A route combining Amboseli, Chyulu and Tsavo can create a safari with more variety than a wildlife only itinerary.

Planning your visit

Dry season travel from June to October and January to February is generally easier, while rain can make access roads and cave exploration more difficult. A capable four wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended. Current visitor guidance and park information are available from the Kenya Wildlife Service Chyulu Hills National Park page.