The well-watered volcanic soils of Kitulo, which are situated at an altitude of around 2600 meters above sea level between the craggy peaks of the Kipengere, Poroto, and Livingstone ranges, are home to Tanzania’s biggest and most significant montane grassland group. Locals refer to Kitulo National Park, also known as Bustani ya Mungu – The Garden of God, as “one of the great floral spectacles of the world,” a rare botanical marvel that is home to 350 species of vascular plants, including 45 varieties of terrestrial orchids. During the main rainy season, which lasts from late November to April, these plants explode into a riotous wildflower display of breathtaking scale and diversity.

The first national park in tropical Africa to be gazetted primarily for its floral significance, Kitulo is one of the Great Ruaha River’s most significant watersheds and is also known for its abundance of orchids, as well as 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 a desirable location for bird watching because it is home to uncommon bird species. Although there are few large animals, the wide grassland is nevertheless home to a few resilient mountain reedbuck and eland. Kitulo National Park (413 sq km), which is around 100 kilometers from Mbeya town in Southern Tanzania, is a haven for botanists and hikers.

To reach the park, one has to drive from Chimala town along with the Dar es Salaam to Mbeya highway, then climb the scenic plateau through 57 pin-corners through the spectacular rough road known as “Hamsini na Saba” or Fifty-Seven by the number of its pin, sharp corners.

After few hours of slow driving on the 4 x 4 car, one reaches Matamba the temporary park headquarters, about 50 km south of Chimala.

Open walking safaris through the grasslands watching birds and wildflowers, hill hiking on the neighboring ranges during the day gives a visitor fantastic views of Lake Nyasa and its beautiful Matema Beach down the mountains.

Wildflowers blossom between December and April, and the summer months from September to November are best to visit the park. From June to August the entire park is foggy with no visibility during the daytime, and it is hardly possible to view its beauties.
Accommodation is available at Matamba and Chimala, but for a more comfortable stay, Mbeya municipality, some 100 km away is an option.

Before its transformation into a tourist park, the area was a livestock ranch set for breeding Merino sheep from Australia and European cattle breeds. British officers mapped the area in 1920 for ranching purposes.

Because of its cool and moderate weather similar to Mediterranean or European conditions, the area has since then attracted a number of British and American settlers who reared livestock and practiced small-scale tourist projects.

The beautiful scenery of the land below makes the park an ideal place to pay a visit. This unique scenery brings it closer to the northern Tanzania nature parks of Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Kilimanjaro.

When fully flocked, Kitulo National Park will be the leading nature conservation park in Africa, specializing in orchid holidays with fewer wildlife itineraries. It will add a new product to Tanzania’s wildlife-based tourism, which so far, has been competing with other destinations like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.