Perched at around 2600 meters above sea level between the rugged peaks
of the Kipengere, Poroto and Livingstone mountains, the well-watered
volcanic soils of Kitulo support the largest and most important montane
grassland community in Tanzania. Referred by locals as The Garden of
God, Kitulo National Park is “one of the great floral spectacles of the
world”, a rare botanical marvel and home to 350 species of vascular
plants, including 45 varieties of terrestrial orchid, which erupt into a
riotous wildflower display of breathtaking scale and diversity during
the main rainy season of late November to April.
One of the most important watersheds for the Great Ruaha River, Kitulo
is also the first national park in tropical Africa to be gazetted
largely for its floral significance-not only a multitude of orchids, but
also the stunning yellow-orange red-hot poker and a variety of aloes,
proteas, geraniums, giant lobelias, lilies and aster daisies, of which
more than 30 species are endemic to southern Tanzania. But Kitulo is
also attractive for bird watching, home to rare bird species. Big game
is sparsely represented, though a few hardy mountain reedbuck and eland
still roam the open grassland. Located about 100 kilometres from Mbeya
town in Southern Tanzania, Kitulo National Park (413 sq km) is a
botanist and hiker’s paradise. Wild flowers displays peak during the
rainy season between December and April excellent time for botanists,
while the sunnier months of September to November are more comfortable
for hiking but less rewarding to botanists. Conditions are cold and
foggy from June to August. Accommodation is available in Mbeya town.