The Tsavo, Chyulu Hills and Amboseli areas of southeastern Kenya cover vast areas of mostly dry, scrub-covered plateaus and open plains that have remained largely unaffected by human impact. Despite being located some 150 km to the east of the Gregory Rift - the eastern branch of the East African Rift Valley is the dominant geological feature in Kenya - huge outpourings of cinders and lavas occurred here during the previous two million years. The Chyulu Hills is one of the youngest volcanic ranges in the world. The attached satellite image reveals the more important features of the area, including Kilimanjaro, the dry lake bed and salt flats of Lake Amboseli and the lush slopes of the Chyulu Hills. The latter are comprised of numerous discrete cinder cones and lava flows, a remarkable contrast with the huge bulk of Kilimanjaro and the associated free-standing volcanic complexes of northern Tanzania.
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