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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.
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