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Some landscapes take millions of years to form. The Chyulu Hills took just 500. Born from a volcanic eruption so recent that Maasai elders carry the memory of it in their oral tradition, these rolling green hills are among the youngest mountains on earth, and among the most beautiful. Chyulu Hills National Park framing the vast plains of Tsavo, and lying within view of majestic Mt Kilimanjaro, are the Taita and Chyulu Hills. The Chyulu hills are considered to be some of the youngest volcanic mountains in the world, born out of the earth only 500 years ago.

The hills are bordered to the east by a sweeping expanse of black lava flow known as Sheitani, a Swahili word meaning "devil", the source of many local legends and a stark reminder of the volcanic forces that shaped this landscape. Within the park, Elephant herds roam freely across the green slopes, Cheetah hunt the open plains, and Maasai villages dot the surrounding wilderness, their presence adding a rich cultural dimension to the landscape. The views of Mount Kilimanjaro from the Chyulu ridges are among the finest in Kenya; unobstructed, vast and utterly unforgettable.

Just beyond the park boundaries, the wider region rewards further exploration. The Taita Hills; comprising three distinct groups, the Dabida, Sagalla and Kasigau, are home to a private game sanctuary sheltering Lion, Cheetah, Elephant and plains game, as well as the extremely rare Taita Falcon, a bird so ancient it appears in early Egyptian hieroglyphics. Near the town of Taveta, two beautiful crater lakes; Jipe and Chala, are fed by streams flowing down from the snows of Kilimanjaro. Chala is particularly breathtaking, its deep blue waters lying perfectly still beneath an unobstructed view of Africa's highest peak.

More remote than the well-trodden parks of southern Kenya, the Chyulu Hills offer something increasingly rare; true wilderness, wide skies and a profound sense of escape. This is the perfect destination for those who want to trade the busy safari circuit for something quieter, wilder and entirely their own. Make Chyulu Hills National Park your next destination.

The Chyulu Hills can be visited year-round, but the dry seasons offer the most rewarding conditions. The long dry season from June to October is the most popular time to visit; the skies are clear, the views of Mount Kilimanjaro are at their sharpest, and wildlife is easier to spot as animals move through the open hillsides and valleys. The short dry season from January to February is equally good, with excellent game viewing and fewer visitors on the trails.

The rains: the long rains from March to May; and the short rains from November to December, transform the hills into a deep, lush green and bring the birdlife to its peak. The trails can become slippery and some tracks impassable, so a 4WD vehicle is essential during these months. For horseback safari enthusiasts, the dry seasons are strongly recommended; the ground is firmer, the visibility is clearer, and the experience of riding across the open Chyulu ridges with Kilimanjaro on the horizon is at its most extraordinary. Whatever the season, early mornings offer the best game viewing and the clearest mountain views before clouds build later in the day.

Go on horseback safaris, ranger-escorted walking safaris, game drives and guided exploration of the Leviathan Cave; one of the longest lava tubes in the world, drawing adventurous visitors into an ancient underground world of solidified volcanic rock and extraordinary geological formations. The park's open hillsides and valleys offer rewarding birding, including sightings of the rare Taita Falcon, while the nearby crater lakes of Jipe and Chala and the Taita Hills, are well worth including in any visit to the wider region.