Chyulu National Park
Verdant rolling hills of endless green bush, great blue skies and spectacular landscape views are what the Chyullu Hills provide nature lovers with. The park comprises of the Eastern flanks of Chyullu Hills including half the forest area. A magical land of black frozen lava studded with blazing red-hot poker trees. The hills hold no permanent surface water but rainfall percolating through the porous rock, feeds many permanent fresh water sources in the surrounding plains notably Mzima springs, Umanyi, Kibwezi, Makindu and the Tsavo river which feeds the Galana river.
By Road: From Nairobi, turn right at Kibwezi (Manyanga town) off Mombasa Road onto a sign posted road that leads to Kithasyo Gate
after 9km and Park headquarters. From Mombasa, the Park is also accessible from Tsavo West N. Park.
By Rail: The Standard Gauge Railway from both Nairobi and Mombasa terminus to Kibwezi for visitors looking for the rail
experience.
By Air: The Park has two airstrips (Mukururo and Kithasyo).
CHYULLU HILLS NATIONAL PARK |
Citizen |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
|||
Adults KSH |
Child KSH |
Adult KSH |
Child KSH |
Adult USD |
Child
|
|
300 | 125 |
300 |
125 |
22 |
13 |
MODE OF PAYMENT: Through Ecitizen (https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/ ) via MPesa, Visa Card, RTGS ,Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Security/Guided tour per guide:
• Ksh. 1,720 – up to 4 hours
• Ksh. 3,015 – Over 4 hours
Vehicle charges per day
No. of Seats KSH.
• Less than 6 seats KSH.300
• 6-12 seats KSH.1,030
• 13-24seats KSH.2,585
• 25-44 seats KSH.4,050
• 45 seats and above KSH.5,000
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.
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 reedwarbler, 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 alongthe 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-Pentilatropicalis 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.
The park doesn’t offer KWS self-catering accommodation but visitors keen on having a wild bush experience have the option of camping.
Camping:
Public campsites
Kithasyo
Kisula
Satellite
For this category standard amenities are provided; water, toilet/bathroom and kitchen area. Public campsites do not require prior
booking.
* Prevailing camping rates apply per person per day for both special and public campsites including other park charges.
Phone: +254 713 772 487
Email: chyulunp@kws.go.ke