Kitulo National Park

Why visit Kitulo National Park

Kitulo National Park is unlike any other park in Tanzania. Instead of big game, it protects a high grassland plateau at around 2,600 metres in the southern highlands, between the Kipengere, Livingstone and Poroto mountains. Locals call it Bustani ya Mungu — the Garden of God — and botanists know it as the “Serengeti of Flowers”.

During the rainy season, the plateau bursts into colour with wildflowers, including many species of terrestrial orchid, aloes, proteas, red-hot pokers and lilies, several of them found nowhere else. The park is also home to rare highland birds such as Denham's bustard and the blue swallow, and to butterflies and chameleons. Walking, scenic drives, photography and botany are the main activities, and the cool air and wide views make a striking contrast with the hot savanna parks.

When to go

The flowers are at their best during the rains, from roughly December to April. From June to October the plateau is dry and golden, good for hiking and for seeing its shape and scale. Nights are cold all year, so bring warm clothing.

Kitulo is reached by road from Mbeya and suits travellers interested in natural history and the southern highlands rather than first-time safari visitors. It combines well with Ruaha and Udzungwa. Ask us to plan a southern highlands trip.