Key facts
| Area | 465.9 km² |
|---|---|
| Location and distance | Southern highlands of Tanzania, from Mbeya via Isyonje 67 to 70 km or via Chimala and Matamba 103 km |
| Getting there | Around 1.5 hours' flight from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, then two approaches to the park entrance, the shorter one via Isyonje taking around 2 hours by road |
| 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 | Late November to April for the flowers |
| Typical wildlife | Zebras, mountain reedbuck, duiker, 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 around 2,600 metres across a wide high plateau between the Kipengere and Poroto mountains; Mtorwi in the east of the park reaches 2,961 m. Open highland meadows and gentle hills characterise the landscape; mountain ranges frame the plateau. During the rainy season, 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. According to TANAPA, zebras, mountain reedbuck, duiker, klipspringer, bushbuck and black-and-white colobus monkeys live here. A special feature is the kipunji, a monkey species that TANAPA records for the slopes of Mount Rungwe and Kitulo National Park. 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 late November to April: during and after the rainy season, the highland meadows are in full bloom, orchids included. In the dry season, you hike on easier paths; from May to August, the plateau and mountains are often shrouded in mist and cloud, and visibility is at its clearest towards the end of the dry season from September to November, but the flower display is less spectacular. Because of the altitude of around 2,600 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 | ||
Mist May to August, clearest views September to November, 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. The shorter route via Isyonje covers 67 to 70 km, takes around 2 hours and ends on an unpaved road. Via Chimala and Matamba it is about 103 km, with gravel and hairpin bends after Chimala. Kitulo lies between Mbeya and Njombe; according to the team in Arusha, the journey is feasible by 4x4 during the rainy season, but significantly more weather-dependent. 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.
