Chyulu
Hills National Park
Background
Information
 The Chyulu Hills are situated 190
km South-East of Nairobi and 30 km South-West of Kibwezi.
They are of relatively recent volcanic origin and the range
is composed of ash cones and craters.
The hills hold no permanent surface water but rainfall percolating
through the porus rock feeds many permanent fresh water
sources in the surrounding plains, notably Mzima springs
and the Tsavo and Galana rivers.
The hills are relatively undisturbed
and shelter indegenous vegetation and wildlife. The park
comprises the eastern flank of the hills including about
half of the forest area. The park boundary runs down the
center of the hills along the line of the peaks. The western
half is part of the West Chyulu Game Conservation area,
owned by several Masai group ranches.
Climate:
The climate is hot and dry.
How To Get There
Roads:
Along Nairobi Mombasa highway, the park sign post is 1km
past the Kibwezi turn off. Park gate is 10km off the highway.There
is limited road network within the park and a 4 X 4 vehicle
with high clearance is highly recommended
Major Attractions
Breathtaking views from the chuylu hills,cave exploration,one
camp site next to park headquaters
Wildlife (Reptiles): Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Rock Python,
Geko, Tortoise, Lizard.
Insects/arthropods: Dung Beetles, Butterflies, Tsetsefly.
Common Animals: Buffalo; Bushbuck; Eland; Elephant, African;
Leopard; Pig, Forest Bush; reedbuck, mountain; Steinbok.
Common Vegetation
Rough grassland and thicket give way to patches of montane
forest along the spine of the hills, mainly above the 1800m
contour; the largest tract of forest is around the highest
peaks in the central southern portion. Characteristic trees
include ficus spp, Neoboutonia macrocalyx, Tabernaemontana
stapfinaa, Prunus africana, Strombosia scheffleri, Cassipourea
malonsana, Olea capensis and Ilex mitis with islands guarded
by Erythrina abyssinica. Lower down there are areas of Juniperus
procera forest and, particularly on lava flows, forest dominated
by the blue-stemmed Commiphora baluensis. The hills have
37 species of orchids, mostly epiphytes supported by the
heavy mists and the rare saprophyte Epipogium roseum. Notable
trees are Chionanthus mildbraedii and the most northerly
population of Podocarpus usambarensis |
