Kitulo National Park
Kitulo National Park is one of the best places to visit in Tanzania. Here you’ll find lovely views, many birds, big waterfalls, and rare plants. Locals call it “the Garden of God.” Plant experts name it “the Serengeti of Flowers.” It was the first park in tropical Africa made to save plants.
The park covers 413 square kilometers. It sits between three mountains: Kipengele, Livingstone, and Poroto. These are in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, in both Mbeya and Njombe areas. The park has mostly plants, with some animals, lakes, and waterfalls. Birds from South Africa, North Africa, and Europe rest here during their long trips. Large white storks stop here on their way to Europe.
The story of Kitulo began in 1870. That’s when British explorer Frederick Elton first saw the area. In the 1960s, the UN Food and Agriculture group took much of the land. They tried to grow wheat and raise sheep there. Both failed in this cool highland area. In 1972, they turned it into a dairy farm. Parts of this farm still run today. Over time, nature groups grew worried about the land. They asked for help to save it. On September 16, 2005, parts of the farm and nearby forests became Kitulo National Park.
The weather stays cool all year. Most days are between 14-18°C (57-64°F). In cold times, it can drop below 7°C (45°F).
You can see all of Kitulo in one day if you plan well. The longest trip is to Nhumbe Waterfalls. This hike takes about 3 hours in total. After that, you can walk through fields of flowers, rest at Mwakipembo Falls, and watch birds.
Interesting Facts About Kitulo National Park
- In 2005, this became the first national park in tropical Africa created primarily to protect its extraordinary plant life
- Storks rest here on their long flight from South Africa to Europe.
- To see Nhumbe Waterfalls, you must walk down more than 800 steps.
How to Get There
You can reach Kitulo from Mbeya two ways. The short way is through Isyonje. It’s 67km from Mbeya town and 85km from Songwe Airport. The other way, through Chimala, is about 105km. You can also come from Njombe through Makete, which is 165km.
From Dar es Salaam, you have three choices:
- Drive all the way
- Fly to Songwe Airport near Mbeya
- Take the TAZARA train to Iyunga or Makambako stations
After Chimala or Isyonje, the road gets rough. You should use a 4×4 car on this part. In the dry season, even a normal car might make it.
