Chyulu Hills

The Chyulu Hills are located about east of the Kenya Rift. The hills consists of several hundred small flows and cones. Volcanism in the area started about 1.4 million years ago in the northern parts of the hills, and over time the volcanism propagated towards the southeast. These volcanoes are still considered active, since their last two eruptions (Shaitani and Chainu) occurred in 1856. Kibwezi town is located northeast of the Chyulu Hills. The Chyulu Hills do not have any permanent rivers, but rainfall on hills feeds the Tsavo and Galana rivers and Mzima Springs on the surrounding plains. == Ecology ==

Lower parts of the hills are composed of grassland and thicket, while above roughly is dominated by montane forest. The forest contains Neoboutonia macrocalyx, soccerball fruit, African cherry, Strombosia scheffleri, Cassipourea malosana, black ironwood, and African holly. Some isolated parts are dominated by Abyssinian coral tree. Lower parts of the forest are dominated either by African juniper or Commiphora baluensis. Cape buffaloes, bushbucks, elands, elephants, bushpigs, Masai giraffe, leopards, lions, mountain reedbucks, steinbok, wildebeest and Grant's zebras. Cheetahs are found at the plains of Chyulu Hills. Various snakes inhabit the hills, like black mamba, puff adder and rock python. There is wild khat growing on the hills, which is picked by local people. There is also some cultivation of khat around the hills. Khat from Chyulu hills is known as Chuylu, as opposed to Miraa, which is cultivated in the Meru County. == Conservation ==

The Chyulu Hills National Park comprises the eastern flank of the hills and is operated by the Kenya Wildlife Service. == References ==