Traditionally termed the ‘Bustani ya Mungu’ the same as ‘The Garden of God’ this Kitulo Plateau in fact one of a kind in the case of natural beauty. To nature lovers, it really is dubbed the Serengeti of Flowers. The whole park occupies a distance of 412sq km over southern Tanzania.
Kitulo National Park – Kenya
Kitulo national park can be found over the 2,600-metre high plateau with robust peaks of the Kipengere, Poroto as well as Livingstone mountains. The park is clearly fed by the meandering Ruaha river, volcanic soils, and montane grasslands that support not just the plants but in addition many wild animals for example reedbuck, eland among others.
Kitulo is definitely an uncommon botanical park, home to a complete 350 varieties of general plants and flowers, including 45 types of terrestrial orchid, that make wild wildflower display through the main rainy season from the end of November up to April. Examples of the species consist of the spectacular bright red-hot poker, a variety of aloes, proteas, geraniums, giant lobelias, and lilies in addition to aster daisies. Around 30 species are identified in southern Tanzania.
Kitulo can be extremely fascinating to birders. Tanzania’s only populace of the uncommon Denham’s bustard is an occupant, and the extinct blue swallow, the mountain marsh widow, Njombe cisticola as well as Kipengere seedeater. Typical species of butterfly, chameleon, lizard, and also frogs additionally enhance the richness of the park.
Getting there
Using the highway via Chimala, it is actually 78km east of Mbeya on the tarmac main road to Dar es Salaam, drive south along the rocky murram Hamsini na Saba road. The momentary park head office is actually located at Matamba on the exact same road, one more hour’s drive takes you to the plateau area.
Basic and irregular buses or commuter taxis are available but exclusive transport should be with 4×4 vehicles.
What to do
Zebra in Kitulo National Park
You will discover great climbing paths designed for open nature walks across the grasslands with vistas of roaming birds and even wildflowers.
Hill climbing to the neighboring ranges for instance to the Livingstone Mountains which in turn leads to the magnificent Matema Beach around Lake Nyasa.
When to go
The dry period starting September up to November is more and more appropriate for walking safaris however not as advantageous to nature lovers.
The weather is chilly and foggy from June until August.
Places to stay
Mbeya is packed with so much like luxurious hotels plus pleasant guesthouses; there are also 2 basic guesthouses when it comes to Matamba.
There isn’t any lodging from the park, for now, nevertheless, simple accommodation and meals are offered at the surrounding Kitulo Farm. A couple of fairly listed church-run hostels are located at Matema Beach.
