Chyulu Hills National Park

Description

The park boasts of spectacular cave systems and spots the world’s second longest lava tube (Kisula cave 11.5km long). The Leviathan. The porous nature of lava rocks has helped keep the surrounding areas abundant with fresh water thus providing the perfect sanctuary for the region’s ample wildlife.

Home to rare forest birds, bird watching is a great activity for bird lovers in the dense montane forest of the western sector of the park. Some of the bird species include: Hartlaus Turacos, sunbird, speckled moosebird and white eared barbet. Trumpet Hornbill, Rare Basra reed warbler, Sun bird, Yellow-billed Greenbul and Blue eared sparling.

The Chyullu ecosystem plays a vital role as a water catchment area for Kenya’s coastal towns as it is the source of Tsavo West’s Mzima springs. The forest ridges create their own rainfall in that the porous rocks absorbs the water like sponge and in turn the water percolates down into fast-flowing subterranean rivers. The park has three public campsites and their vantage locations offer spectacular views of the hills and mountains for nature lovers.

The flora and fauna menu is rich as it is breathtaking. Rough grassland and thickets give way to an arena of montane forest along the spine of the hills. A variety of large mammals include; Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, Zebra, eland, leopard, bushbuck, mountain, reedbuck, steenbok and bush pig, Black rhino.

Pockets of savannah grassland and mountain forest (Kinyozi hills, Army satellite, Kibarani and Mukau). The park is a habitat for unique plants that have cosmetic and medicinal values (Olea Africana, Sandal wood and acocanthera. It is also home to endemic butterfly-Pentila tropicalis Chyullu.

The gently undulating grasslands interspersed with dense areas of primeval forest and breathtaking views makes this Park great for hiking safaris, picnicking and game viewing.