Kitulo National Park

While botanists have termed the Kitulo Plateau the “Serengeti of Flowers,” the local people refer to it as the Bustani ya Mungu (The Garden of God). This sustains one of the finest floral spectacles on Earth. Supporting up to 350 vascular plant species, including 45 types of terrestrial orchid, Kitulo is without a doubt an unusual botanical show of great scale plus diversity in the main rainy months starting at the end of November and April.

Rising high at around 2,600 meters or 8,500 feet between the rugged peaks of Livingstone, Kipengere, and Poroto Mountains, the well-irrigated volcanic soils of this Kitulo National Park support the largest and most important montane grassland in the entire of Tanzania.

Among the most important watersheds of the River Ruaha, Kitulo is known for its floral value—not only a great abundance of orchids but also the spectacular yellow-orange red-hot poker plus a diversity of Aster daisies, aloes, lilies, proteas, giant lobelias, and geraniums—of which over 30 species are endemic to the southern part of Tanzania.

Although a few mountain reedbuck plus eland may be observed wandering the wide grassland, large game is infrequently sighted.

But birdwatchers find Kitulo, a botanical as well as a hiking paradise, to be rather appealing. Together with a breeding colony of declining in number blue swallow plus such range-limited species like the Kipengere seedeater, mountain marsh widow, and the Njombe cisticola, the only population of the unusual Denham’s bustard in the entire Tanzania may be found here. Many endemic species of lizards, butterflies, frogs, and chameleons will help to increase the ecological diversity of this garden even more.

 

Size and location of Kitulo Plateau National Park

Found in southern Tanzania, this national park has a total size of 412.9 sq km, or 159 sq miles.

About 100 kilometers or 60 miles separate the park’s temporary headquarters located at Matamba from the town of Mbeya.

 

How to  reach  Kitulo Plateau National Park

The park can only be accessed using a 4WD vehicle by road connecting from Chimala, 78 kilometers east of the town of Mbeya, on a surfaced main road to Dar es Salaam, drive south on the rough but impressive dirt road   known as Hamsini Na Saba, following the number of thin bends down its length all the way to the provisional park headquarters found at Matamba, and then from here drive on for another hour to the plateau.

There is also basic public transportation available.

Air: Flights to Mbeya are regularly scheduled; from there, you will  need to arrange for ground transportation to Kitulo.

Activities to Enjoy at Kitulo Plateau National Park.

There are wonderful hiking paths that will eventually be formal trail systems constructed from.

Open treks throughout the large meadows in search of wildflowers and birds.

Ascending hills in the nearby ranges. From this park, a half-hour stroll leads you to the magnificent Matema Beach on Lake Nyasa.

Wildlife viewing.

Traveling around the park offers visitors the chance to see a variety of animals in their natural habitats, and the Poroto Mountains and Kipengere are two of the best places to do just that. As a result, the forestry park is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including chimpanzees, lizards, spiders, chameleons, steppe harriers, kipengere seedeaters, reedbucks, waterbucks, elands, and other bug and butterfly species. Primate species abound, including kipungi monkeys, vervet monkeys, and countless more.

Canoeing.  

Visitors to Kitulo National Park can enjoy kayaking on several of the park’s beautiful lakes, including Lake Nyasa and Lake Ngozi, the latter of which has the second-largest crater in Africa. More than that, they have the option to go canoeing from Matema Beach, which will put them in touch with locals and provide them a glimpse into their way of life, culture, and traditions.

Along with the aforementioned pursuits, visitors can enjoy the park’s many other activities, such as hiking and mountaineering from vantage points like Matamba Ridge, Nhumbe Valley, and the Livingstone Mountains; bird watching, thanks to the park’s 250+ bird species; and guided nature walks, with park rangers at each side to ensure everyone’s safety and show them the ropes.

 

What is the best time for visiting Kitulo Plateau National Park?

While from September to November are dry  months and more perfect for hiking, wildflower reveals the peak from December to April. Less satisfying to the botanists. It is cool and misty from June through August.

Kitulo National Park accommodation.

You are probably thinking about where to stay in Kitulo National Park now that you  are planning to visit. You can find a variety of hotels and motels in the communities surrounding Kitulo National Park, such as Mbeya Forest Hill Motel and Mbeya Paradise Inn, just outside the park.

Visitors to Tanzania can enjoy breathtaking safari experiences in the Kitulo National Region, a beautiful and peaceful wilderness region known not only for its wildflowers but also for its wild animals. In addition to the well-known Tanzanian parks housing wild animals, such as the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ruaha National Park, Selous Game Reserve, and countless more, Kitulo National Park would make an excellent addition to safaris including wild animals in Tanzania. Think about adding it to your safari schedule in Tanzania. In order to arrange a fantastic safari tour of Tanzania that includes a stop at Kitulo National Park, which offers incredible experiences apart from or in addition to Tanzania’s typical wild game national parks, you need to get in touch with your chosen tour operator.