Kitulo National Park is one of the most unique national parks in Tanzania. In addition, this national park is blessed with various natural beauties, flora, and fauna. Also, Kitulo in Tanzania is surely a hidden gem with cool temperate climate, botanical significance, and distinct biodiversity.

Kitulo National Park sits between the Livingstone and Poroto Mountains and spreads across 413 square kilometers.  Also, it spans parts of the Mbeya and Njombe regions on an altitude of over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level.

Perched high in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, Kitulo is made up of various flowers. Hence, referred to as “Bustani ya Mungu” (The Garden of God) by the locals. Botanists collectively call it the great floral spectacles of the world. To sightseers, Kitulo National Park Tanzania is known as the “Serengeti of Flowers” because it’s filled with flora of over 350 species of plants.

Unlike other Tanzania national Parks, Kitulo is the only national park defined not by lions or leopards. But by living color, floral abundance, and quiet majesty. So, it implies that Kitulo National Park offers different kinds of safari experiences, less of chasing the Tanzania Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos). But rather it is more about embracing tranquility, rare flowers, and highland scenery in Tanzania.

Kitulo National Park was part of the Kitulo Plateau Catchment Reserve. As a result of its beauty, including wildflowers and endemic plant species, this reserve was declared a national park in 2005. So, this gained it the privilege of becoming the first national park in Africa primarily established to protect plant life.

Here is what to know about accessing and entry gates to Kitulo National Park. Note that Matamba Gate, found in the northeastern side of the park, is its main entry point. Kitulo National Park in Tanzania is accessed by both road and air means of transport.

• Getting to Kitulo Park in Tanzania by Road. Travel to Mbeya, which is 90 km from the park. Additionally, it takes about 2.5–3 hours to drive via Chimala and up the scenic Kipengere Range. Alternatively, opt for Njombe accessible via Makete Road, about a distance of ~120 km and 3–4 hours to reach this national park.
• How to get to Kitulo NP, Tanzania by Air. Songwe Airport in Mbeya is the closest airport to Kitulo in Tanzania for domestic flights. Charter flights are arranged with us, but note that Kitulo National Park doesn’t have its own airstrip. After, ground transport from Mbeya is required, taking about a 90 km drive from the airport to Kitulo Tanzania.

A cool temperate climate is what Kitulo Plateau National Park experiences. This surely differs from the hot, dry savannah climates of northern Tanzanian parks like Mkomazi. This national park is blessed with this kind of climate simply because it’s on a high elevation, unlike the other remaining 21 national parks of Tanzania. Kitulo National Park still experiences two main seasons, the dry and the wet season which run in different months of the year.

1. Wet Season (November–April): During this period, the park’s floral bloom peaks. Hence, causing a carpeting over the landscape in vibrant orchids, lilies, irises, and daisies. The temperatures of this park in this season usually range from 10°C to 18°C (50°F – 64°F).
2. Dry Season (May–October): This is also the worst time to visit Kitulo Plateau National Park. It’s because the vegetation dries up, and the landscape turns golden-brown. Also, its temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F) or lower at night.

However, these 2 seasons offer excellent safari experiences to tourists who visit Kitulo National Park. Hence, the park is perfect to visit all year through.

Nature lovers and botanists should visit Kitulo National Park for the best Tanzania things to do with family, couples, and kids on a budget. This park offers a great safari experience to those that have a sense of beauty and nature combined.  Here are the top safari activities in Kitulo National park Tanzania.

1. Floral Observation (Flower Safaris):

• This is the main safari activity to do in Kitulo National Park. Also, floral observation and Tanzania sightseeing tours in Kitulo are best done in months of December to April. These are peak flowering season in this Tanzania park. So, visitors observe various flower species in this park including Disa, Habernaria, and Eulophia species. Also, Red hot pokers and Giant lobelias are the other unique plant species to see in Kitulo Tanzania.

2. Hiking and Trekking in Tanzania’s Kitulo NP:

• With assistance from well-trained guides, sightseers engage in nature walks through the national park. Through this activity to do in Kitulo on a budget, you witness the beauty of the park close up. These Tanzania climbing tours in Kitulo National Park are carried out through rolling grasslands, forests, and mountains.
• Use trek trails such as Nhumbe Valley Trail and Mwakipembo Trail. Also, visitors choose to be involved in more challenging treks to Mount Rungwe or the Livingstone Mountains.

3. Bird Watching in Kitulo National Park:

• As we earlier discovered that Kitulo national park is home to over 400 species recorded. Visitors enjoy Tanzania birding experiences at Kitulo park. So, this safari activity is more rewarding, especially in the wet season when migratory species arrive. Birds are spotted from areas like Nhumbe Valley, Kitulo Plateau, and Kisiba Lake inside Kitulo National Park.

4. Photography and Nature Walks:

• Kitulo Plateau national park is truly a photographer’s paradise in Tanzania. It offers mind-blowing views with floral landscapes with flowers, birds, and butterflies, all great for photoshoots on your African trip.

The months of June to October are the best time to on a safari in Tanzania to Kitulo national park. Although this park is visited all year through, here are the reasons to visit Kitulo in the best time.

1. Roads to the park are dry like Nhumbe Valley Access Track and Kitulo–Livingstone Forest Edge Track tend are easy to navigate. Also, the Mwakipembo Trail Access Road hence leading to a more thrilling and less worrying adventure.
2. Animals during these months gather around the water sources in Kitulo national like Nhumbe River, Seasonal Streams, Springs and Wetlands. Hence, make it very possible and easy to witness  and track numerous animals as they are taking water.

Alternatively, the worst time to visit Kitulo national park is in the rainy Season months from November to May and Peak in March-April). Here is why.

1. During the rains, roads; Nhumbe Valley Access Track and Kitulo–Livingstone Forest Edge Track become muddy. Hence, make navigation into and inside Kitulo Tanzania park hard. The Mwakipembo Trail Access Road becomes slippery, increasing the risk of getting stuck most especially for standard vehicles.
2. Rivers like the Nhumbe River swell, and Mwatisi River, usually overflow from the catchment areas in this wet season. So, it affects the surrounding and causes more difficulties for safari  activities to do at Kitulo national park Tanzania.
3. Because of rain, water is clogged in many parts of Kitulo Park. So, makes it even harder to witness animals as they no longer gather in specific areas of the park. So, a few would be spotted in known water sites like Nhumbe River and Mwatisi River in Kitulo Plateau National Park.

We offer affordable luxury tour packages for Kitulo in Tanzania. Book your safari in Kitulo National park with us.