Key facts
| Area | 465.9 km² |
|---|---|
| Location and distance | Southern highlands of Tanzania, 67 km from Mbeya |
| Getting there | Around 1.5 hours' flight from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, then around 2 hours' drive to the park entrance |
| Park fee per person per day | 30 USD, children aged 5 to 15 years 10 USD, under 5 years free, plus 18% VAT. |
| Best months | November to April for the flowers |
| Typical wildlife | Elands, buffalo, hares, highland birds, butterflies |
| Accommodation | Utengule Coffee Lodge |
Highlights and wildlife
The park protects one of the most important montane grassland ecosystems in East Africa across 465.9 km². You hike at an altitude of 2,600 to 3,200 metres across a wide high plateau between the Kipengere and Poroto mountains. Open highland meadows and gentle hills characterise the landscape; mountain ranges frame the plateau. During the rainy seasons, a great variety of flowers covers the plains. Kitulo is known above all for its many orchid species, quite a few of which are endemic. This concentration of rare plants is considered exceptional worldwide and has earned the park its reputation as the ‘flower park of Tanzania’. Orchids and other rare plants, not big game, are the main draw here.
Kitulo is not a classic big-game safari. Larger mammals live here only in low density. These include eland and occasionally buffalo, which stay in remote areas. You come across hares and rodents more often, the foundation of the local ecosystem. Birds matter more here: the park is considered an important area for highland and grassland birds, including several endemic and threatened species. Butterflies and other insects are also out in great variety and play a central role in pollinating the many flowering plants. The park’s true wealth lies in its flora. Watching wildlife takes a back seat.
Best time to visit
In principle, you can visit the park all year round; the best time depends on your interests. The best months for the flowers are November to April: during and after the rainy seasons, the highland meadows are in full bloom, orchids included. In the dry season, you hike on easier paths and have particularly clear views over the plateau, but the flower display is less spectacular. Because of the altitude between 2,600 and 3,200 metres, it remains rather cool all year round. So always pack warm clothing and waterproofs, especially in the flowering months.
| Month | Weather | Wildlife |
|---|---|---|
Rainy season and flowering | ||
Rainy season and main flowering period | ||
Clearer visibility, easier paths |
Fees and rules
The park fee is 30 USD per person per day. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 10 USD; children under 5 have free entry. 18% VAT is added to the entrance fees. As the ecosystem of the plateau is considered sensitive, you hike with your guide on the designated trails.
Getting there and combinations
You fly from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya in around 1.5 hours. From there, it takes about 2 hours on paved roads to the park entrance. The park lies 67 km from Mbeya, between the towns of Mbeya and Njombe. Your guide takes you directly to the entrance. You do not have to worry about the journey. Kitulo combines well with other destinations in southern Tanzania. In Ruaha National Park, you complement the botanical experiences of the highlands with classic big-game viewing. Nyerere National Park adds river and savannah landscapes. This creates a varied route between highlands, savannah and river.
