BEST TIME TO VISIT CHYULU HILLS FOR A SOUTHERN KENYA SAFARI

Chyulu Hills National Park is an extraordinary Kenyan wilderness safari destination any time of the year, but the weather patterns do affect the landscape and animal behaviors. The dry season from July to October brings little precipitation to Chyulu Hills National Park, averaging half an inch or less each month; though early June dusts away the end of the long rains and late October welcomes the beginning of the short rains.

In the hot, dry season, any rain that does fall evaporates quickly in equatorial Kenya, leaving little of this vital resource for the animals to drink. African wildlife behavior in Chyulu is significantly influenced by the abundance or scarcity of water. During the dry season, you may observe unique behaviors that only occur when water is in short supply. The watering holes are more crowded, so locating fauna is easier, but the animals may be more territorial and less tolerant of each other, which can lead to confrontations between species.

Another unique behavior that has been noted as occurring only during the dry season is that of elephant families moving more quickly between water resources and foraging locations. The lack of rainfall also means that the vegetation is less dense, another circumstance that makes the animals easier to spot, but this also means that food is in short supply for the herbivores due to competition from other foragers, so these animals may travel to greener pastures where water sources are also accessible.



The short rains arrive in November and December, followed by a warm, humid, moderately dry period in January and February. The long rains arrive in late March and last until early June. The rainfall is heavy during these months, so the roads in Chyulu Hills National Park become quite muddy, and the logistics of your safari activities may be much more challenging.

This time of year, though, is when the vegetation is lush and green. Some ungulates like impalas are also giving birth, so you may have the delightful experience of seeing the newborns of several species take their first steps (read more on when is the best time to travel to Kenya with AfricanMecca).

All things considered, we recommend that you plan your wildlife-viewing travels in Chyulu Hills during the cool, long dry season. Certain events may mean that other times are best for you, though, such as the long rains when there are fewer guests, birthing herbivores and lower rooming rates at camps and lodges in Chyulu Hills and around Kenya.

Migratory bird species arrive in the park from October to April, transforming the landscape into a birdwatcher's paradise while the brilliant green grasses and flowers of the long rains create stunning contrasts with the distant Kilimanjaro. Your personal interests may lead you to arrange your nature tour around holidays and special events, and Christmas, New Year's and Easter are popular times for local and international guests to spend time in Kenya but not so much in Chyulu.

Select Our Highly Recommended & Unique Designed Chyulu Safaris By Camps & Lodges That You Want To Tour Visit & Experience

No matter when you choose to set off on your much-anticipated AfricanMecca bush holiday, Chyulu Hills will certainly far exceed your expectations. We highly recommend that you bring your camera with plenty of batteries and memory cards or film to take full advantage of the picturesque setting.

One of the most representative images is of Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop with two bull elephants standing in defense of their territories in the foreground, and you will find an almost infinite number of other images at every turn.

You should also pack a warm sweater, fleece or lightweight jacket as the temperatures can be quite cool during early morning game activities and for the evenings that you will spend under the vast African skies. A poncho or waterproof coast is also necessary if you should be traveling during the rainy season.