Kitulo National Park | Garden of God

Kitulo National Park

Welcome to Kitulo National Park (Garden of God)

A wilderness worth worth exploring! The montane grassland and the Kitulo Plateau make this area a stunning place to visit. The lovely view of the plains with some flowers which are the most beautiful creations of the ALMIGHTY created on the purpose to spread smiles to mankind through their sweet smell and attractive appearance including the birds make this place stay in someone’s heart forever. Wide rolling plains and grassland, butterflies, birds, plants and great views will also make your stay an unforgettable one.

The meager natural life in the park is made up by the hypnotizing plants, delightful birds and beautiful butterflies. Brief History of the Park The history of the park goes back to 1870, when Fredrick Elton, an Explorer visited the area. In 1960’s a large area was taken by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for Wheat and Sheep Schemes.

Since neither wheat nor sheep thrived in the area, in 1972 the area was turned to a dairy farm, which remains active to date. As a result of concerns from conservation bodies and various stakeholders, part of the farm, Livingstone and Nhumbe Forest Reserves were declared as Kitulo National Park on 16th of September 2005 by government notice 279. Kitulo covers an area of 465.9 sq km and is a botanist’s fantasy with more than 350 types of vascular plants including 45 earthly orchids. Local people allude to “Bustani ya Mungu” which signifies “God’s garden” in Swahili

Climate

Kitulo experiences a temperate climate which is influenced by altitude and the presence of Lake Nyasa. The maximum daily temperature varies from 14.5°c to 18°c and minimum ambient temperature ranges from 7°c to 8°c between December and April, and can go as low as 0.5˚c during June to August ,during this period frost occurs. The average annual rainfall is 1600mm ranging from 1500 – 1700mm. The rain season begins from October to May. Warm clothes are advised during a visit to the park. Therefore warm clothes are advised when visiting the park.

Cultural attractions

Mlivili cave is located along Matamba Ridge after Mwakipembo water fall and Usalama cave is about 8 kilometers away from Common works Junction, the road to Mbeya via Isyonje. During those days of intertribal war, the caves were used as the hiding point by indigenous people from Wawanji, Wakinga and Nyakyusa tribes from Mwakaleli

Birds

Kitulo National Park is an important bird area (IBA) with wintering site for various bird species from South Africa and Europe. Some species from North Africa, Abdim’s stock in particular use Kitulo as a wintering area. The plateau is also a home of breeding colonies of Blue swallow and Denham’s bustard. Other endemic bird’s species includes: Lesser kestrel, Pallid Harrier, Cisticola njombe, Kipengere Seedeater and Uhehe fiscal. A number of waterbirds can be found at Dhambwe Crater Lake. These are: Yellow billed-duck, White-faced whistling ducks, Common teal, Open-billed stocks and Red knobbed coot.

Location Description

In the southern highlands of Tanzania, Kitulo National Park lays among the alpine grassland and forest in a protected area, including the Kitulo Plateau (“Garden of God” as it is known to local people or “Serengeti of Flowers” to botanists) and Livingstone Forest. Due to the uniqueness of its flora, the Kitulo National Park was the first of its kind in tropical Africa to be created principally for shelter of its flora. This park is located in both the Mbeya region and Iringa region, covers 412.9 square kilometers (159 square miles), and is governed by the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).

Wildlife

Africas first new species of monkey for over 20 years has been discovered in remote mountains in southern Tanzania. (Rungwecebus Kipunji), this long-forest primate was first discovered by conservation biologist from the wildlife conservation society (WCS) on the flanks of the 2961 m (10,000 ft) Mt. Rungwe and Kitulo national park. Other wildlife animals are Bush duiker, Klipspringer, Abbots duiker, Mountain Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Rungwe Galago, Zebras, Black and white colobus monkeys and Impalas.

When to go

From December to April, wildflowers are at their peak of beauty. When it is sunnier (i.e. from September to November), there are more hiking opportunities but less for botany enthusiasts. In the summer months of June, July, and August, the weather can be foggy and cold.

What to do

While there are currently mediocre hiking trails, a formal trail system will soon be developed. In the meantime, there is open walking across the grasslands to observe the birds and inspect the wildflowers. If you are interested in hill climbing, there is a half-day hike from the Livingstone Mountains into the Matema Beach on Lake Nyasa.

Camping

Explore camping in the nature garden flowers is of another kind of experience. Mwakipembo Public Campsite with flash toilet, shades and Fire place. Maua Special campsite is at its nature environment reserved to maintain exclusivity for users.

Cycling

Grab your bicycle and heads out to the park connecting various attractions network. There are two different park connector loops for our visitors. The route is 22km, starts from mwakipembo entrance gate and passes through nguzo mbili, uwanda picnic site, mlivili cave, mwakipembo waterfall and back to mwakipembo gate.

Hiking

The Park is a hikers paradise with vast attraction to see while on foot like the Matamba ridge, numerous waterfalls, Mtorwi peak (2961 M) and experience the beautiful wild flowers up-close and personal.

How to Get to the Park

Dar Es Salaam is the international access to Tanzania through Julius Nyerere Airport and once you are already in Tanzania the only way to access Kitulo National Park is using a comfortable 4*4 Vehicle by road connecting from Dar es, Salaam on a surfaced main-road towards the south of Mbeya town then to the park headquarters found in Matamba approximately 78 Kilometers, You will drive south on the rough yet impressive dirt road following a number of thin sharp bends down but the views are really rewarding, all the way to the provisional park headquarters, and then from here you will drive on for another hour to the plateau.

Accommodation in the Park

There are no accommodations inside the park, so you will need to plan to stay in nearby Mbeya, which offers a variety of guesthouses and luxury accommodations.