Kitulo Plateau National Park

Kitulo Plateau National Park sits on the Kitulo Plateau, in the remote southwest corner of Tanzania near the Zambian border. The park lies 2,600 meters above sea level, between the rugged peaks of the Kipengere, Poroto and Livingstone Mountains. The well-watered volcanic soil supports one of the finest wildflower displays in Africa: orchids, aloes, lilies, irises, proteas, giant lobelias, daisies and many more, some of them native only to this area.

Kitulo is one of the very few national parks in Africa set up mainly to protect its flowers. For botanists it's a dream, with more than 350 kinds of vascular plants, including 45 terrestrial orchids. Local people call it “Bustani ya Mungu,” which means “the garden of God” in Swahili.

You won't find many large animals at Kitulo, but you may see highland animals such as reedbucks, zebras and elands moving across the open grassland. What the park lacks in big game, it makes up for with its plants, birds and butterflies.

Bird lovers will enjoy Kitulo. It has a rich birdlife, including the rare Denham's bustard, which in Tanzania is found only here. You can also see plenty of threatened blue swallows, the mountain marsh widow and other highland birds.

Best Time to Visit

• Wet Season (November to April): The best time for wildflowers, especially orchids. The whole plateau turns into a sea of color.
• Dry Season (May to October): Good for hiking, with clear skies and wide views of the mountains around you.

Activities To Do

Here are some of the activities you can do:

• Walking safaris
• Game drives
• Canoeing
• Trekking safaris
• Cultural village tours

What to See

1. The “Serengeti of Flowers”

Kitulo has one of the most varied flower displays in Africa. In the wet season (November to April), the grasslands fill with color as orchids, lilies, irises and daisies bloom across the plateau.

2. Great Hiking at Kitulo

Unlike most parks in Tanzania, Kitulo is best seen on foot. Its hiking trails take you through green grassland, over rocky ridges and up to mountain viewpoints.

3. Rare & Endemic Plant Species

• Kitulo's orchids are well known among plant lovers, and several species grow nowhere else in the world.
• Other rare plants include the giant lobelia and balsams.

4. Unique Wildlife & Bird Species

Kitulo isn't a big-game safari park, but here's what you can look for:

• Rare primates such as the kipunji monkey, found only in the Southern Highlands.
• Birds such as Denham's bustard, the mountain marsh widow and the blue swallow.
• Endangered butterflies found only in this region.

How To Get There

Safari Van:

You can drive to Kitulo from Mbeya, which is 550 km away, or from Kigoma, which is 390 km away.

Flight:

You can take a charter flight to Kitulo from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.