Chyulu Hills National Park

Description

The Chyulu Hills are a volcanic mountain range pitted with volcanic cones and barren lava flows. Surface water is rare, but nevertheless it is an important water catchment area for Mombasa and was gazetted in 1983 to protect this water source. Weird cylindrical tunnels were formed shortly after volcanic eruption and created the longest lava tube in the world.

Tsavo East and Tsavo West Parks are popular for short visits due to their proximity to the Mombasa coast, but the Chyulu Hills is neglected on most tourist itineraries. None of these parks get crowded.

Animals, Birds of Tsavo & Chyulu

The enormous size of these parks with many remote corners, makes them important for their bio diversity. Wildlife congregates around waterhole’s particularly in the dry season. Game includes buffalo, zebra, giraffe, oryx, lion and leopard.

More than 50 different kinds of mammal’s graze, browse, hunt and scavenge in the grasslands and bush country of the Tsavo West. Zebras are always seen slaking their thirst near Tsavo West’s luxurious game lodges. Among the more unusual of the animals are the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope that browses on the higher, sweeter leaves of the acacia thorns.

Carnivores are also abundant in the park. Tsavo West is known for its ‘Roaring Rocks’, which if climbed gives views usually only seen by the eagles and buzzards that whirl around these cliffs. There is a quite a variety of wildlife and birdlife in the park. Over 600 species of birds have been recorded.

Moreover, game viewing is easy. Animals include the leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, crocodile, mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and porcupine

Some 500 species of birds have been recorded in the Tsavo West area, including many migratory birds on their flight south

Seasons

The weather in Tsavo is pleasant for most of the year.

Rainy Season

There are two rainy seasons. The long rains are generally from March through to May and the weather is hot and humid. The short rains arrive in the warm months of October to December.

Dry Season

January to March is hot and dry and July to October is warm and dry.

Tsavo Facts

• Chyulu Hills Area is 741 Square Kilometers Altitude: 1,500 – 2,160 meters above sea level
• Tsavo West area is 3,500miles² (9,065km²) rising between 5000-6,000ft (152-183 metres) above sea level
• There are some interesting geographical features in Tsavo, including the Lugard, and the Mzima Springs (the source of much of Mombasa’s fresh water).
• At Mzima you can walk down to a large pool, a favourite hangout for hippos and crocodiles. There is an underwater viewing chamber where you can observe thousands of primordial looking fish. Sadly, you are not going to spot crocodiles or hippos in the chamber.
• Breath-taking views from the Chyulu hills, cave exploration, one camp site next to park headquarters

Emergency contacts are given to you to assist with any cases of emergency travel, change of reservation, cancellation of itinerary through the following phone numbers:

• 0724 554 852
• 0771 242 793
• 0772 531 688