Level : Moderate

From    12000/$140

Verdant rolling hills of endless green, great blue skies and spectacular landscape views are what the Chyulu Hills provide to nature lovers. Large mammals include buffalo, bushbucks, elands, elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, reedbucks and giraffes along with various reptiles and insects. Horse riding, camping, mountain climbing and bird watching can be enjoyed in this hidden part of paradise.

Chyulu Hills is on the boundary of Amboseli plains and Tsavo plains. Rising to an altitude of 2188m at its highest, this 150km long mountain range situated 190km southeast of Nairobi was hived off the massive Tsavo West National Park in 1983 and its eastern slopes gazetted as Chyulu Hills National Park.

Chyulu Hills Hike N Park offers an exploration of the deepest known lava tube cave in the world. Some of its volcanic eruptions occurred as recently as 240 years ago, leaving behind the extensive Shetani lava flow and Chaimu Hill (and crater), both covered in black solid magna that is still barren and unweathered. Among the local community, the eruptions are still the subject of legends of evil spirits spewing fire from the earth.

An interesting feature of the Chyulu Hills is that it has no surface rivers, yet it’s the water catchment area for the surrounding plains. Its porous surface acts like a sponge, with all rainwater percolating into underground reservoirs, only to emerge about 50km due south at Mzima Springs in Tsavo West. It is estimated that the water takes 25 years to flow underground from the Chyulu Hills to Mzima Springs. Another oasis at the foot of the Chyulu Hills also benefitting from this catchment is Umani Springs, the lifespring of the lush 18,000 acre Kibwezi Forest to the North East of the mountains.

We drive up 35km into the park to “Satellite” point, once a training base for the British Army. This dry campsite location at an altitude of 1900m, remnants of structures built by the British army, including telecommunication masts on the adjacent hill and storage tanks, are still evident on the site.

During the month December following the short rains Chyulu Hills come to life with a new growth of grass, in sharp contrast to the scorched earth prevailing during the rest of the year. Communities living adjacent to the Chyulu Hills have a practice of starting bush fires during dry seasons to get rid of the long brown dry grass that grows here, and make room for the inviting tender new growth after the rain that is ideal for grazing their livestock. This is the best time to come hiking on the Chyulu Hills. This time of the year we will also find generous splashes of the spectacular red hot poker trees in bloom decorating the plains and depressions between rounded hilltops that make up most of the landscape.

Due to its spread and Chyulu Hills high animal activity, the numerous animal trails crisscrossing the open undulating landscape will provide convenient routes to take as you explorer this wide open wilderness under the guidance of a professional guide. With the whole of the Chyulu Hills Mountain Range spanning over 100km from one end to the other, we are spoilt for choice of directions to go wandering, hills to climb, and views to behold. Instead of dramatic cliff drops and deep valley, we will find gently rolling hills, groves of trees at the intersections between hills, and fantastic views all round. You’ll find curious natural phenomena like hills divided into two halves, one covered with grass and the other a forest, presumably as a result of winds not blowing bush fires to every corner of the hill.

What To Wear And Items To Carry

• Comfortable running shoes or hiking boot
• Hiking/gym pants (avoid jeans)
• Polyester T-shirt (like the football jerseys) carry an extra one to change after the hike
• Head-torch
• A change of clothes after the hike and for your travel back to Nairobi
• Sunglasses
• Hat/cap
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Drinking water bottle/Camel bag
• Sunscreen (Arimis oK)
• Energy Bars
• Poncho or a light Rain Jacket
• Safety; head torch, match and whistle
• Avoid unnecessary Items
• Finally, carry loads of fun with you and tag along with a friend!!