Wildflower Displays
Between December and April, the plateau bursts into colour with orchids, lilies and red-hot pokers.
Tanzania National Parks
Kitulo National Park
Known locally as Bustani ya Mungu, the Garden of God, Kitulo is a highland plateau where hundreds of wildflowers bloom, a paradise for botanists, hikers and birdwatchers.
- Location
- Southern Highlands, Mbeya
- Known For
- Wild orchids & flowers
- Size
- 442 km²
- Best Time
- December – April (flowers)
Discover Kitulo
The Serengeti of Flowers.
Kitulo National Park attained national park status in 2002 and covers 442 km² in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, between the Iringa and Mbeya regions. It was established to preserve its outstanding plant and bird diversity and is the first tropical national park in Africa created mainly to protect flora.
Kitulo is known locally as Bustani ya Mungu, the Garden of God, and as the Serengeti of Flowers. Orchids, red-hot pokers, proteas, giant lobelias, lilies, geraniums and daisies carpet the plateau, and more than 30 species are endemic to southern Tanzania. It is also an important watershed for the Great Ruaha River.
Why Kitulo
A safari of a different kind.
Kitulo stands alone as the only site in Africa offering floral safaris rather than traditional wildlife holidays.
Endemic Plants
More than 30 plant species are found only in southern Tanzania, many of them on the Kitulo Plateau.
Rare Birds
Kitulo is a breeding ground for the rare Denham's bustard, and the endangered blue swallow may be seen.
Hiking
Open walking across the grassland, with views towards Lake Nyasa and the Livingstone Mountains.
Location
Where is Kitulo National Park?
Kitulo lies about 78 km east of Mbeya, near Chimala on the main road to Dar es Salaam. The park's temporary headquarters at Matamba are about 100 km from Mbeya town.
A visit to Kitulo can be combined with Lake Nyasa, the second deepest lake in Africa, and the beautiful beaches of Matema in the Mbeya region.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Kitulo story.
Kitulo's character changes dramatically through the year, from flower carpets to misty highlands.
Flower Season
The rains bring the plateau to life with hundreds of species of wildflowers and orchids in bloom.
Late Bloom
Some flowers continue to bloom as the rains end.
Cold & Misty
The park is cold and often foggy, with very little visibility during the day.
Dry & Clear
Warm, clear days that are good for hiking, though less rewarding for flowers.
What is the best month to visit Kitulo?
For flowers, visit between December and April; for clear hiking, September to November.
Flower season in full swing, with orchids and lilies.
Peak blooming across the plateau.
Colourful displays continue with the rains.
Late flowers and lush green grassland.
Blooming fades as the rains end.
Cold and misty, with limited visibility.
The coldest month, often foggy.
Cold and misty; not ideal for visits.
Clearer and warmer, good for hiking.
Dry, clear days with views to Lake Nyasa.
Warm hiking weather before the rains.
The first rains bring the start of the flower season.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Kitulo.
From open plateau to forest and mountain views.
PlateauKitulo PlateauRolling montane grassland that becomes a carpet of wildflowers in the rainy season.
HighlandsLivingstone MountainsThe mountains on the edge of the plateau, with views down to Lake Nyasa.
ForestLivingstone ForestMontane forest that adds to the park's rich biodiversity.
NearbyLake Nyasa & MatemaAfrica's second deepest lake and its sandy beaches, an easy add-on to a Kitulo visit.
Wildlife
Flowers, birds and highland life.
Kitulo is a paradise for botanists, hikers and insect lovers. Butterflies and other insects are drawn to the colourful blossoms, and these in turn attract a rich variety of birds.
Kitulo is a breeding ground for the rare Denham's bustard, and the endangered blue swallow may be seen. Reedbuck and other grassland animals roam freely across the open plateau.
6 animals to look for
Denham's bustard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Open grassland on the plateau
A large, rare bird that breeds on the Kitulo Plateau.
1 / 6
Blue swallow
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Grassland, during the breeding season
An endangered migrant that breeds in high grassland.
2 / 6
Southern reedbuck
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open grassland
Roams freely across the plateau.
3 / 6
Mountain reedbuck
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Rocky slopes
A shy antelope of the hills.
4 / 6
Wild orchids
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: The plateau, December to April
Kitulo is famous for its many species of terrestrial orchids.
5 / 6
Red-hot poker
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Grassland
Striking orange-red flowers that brighten the plateau.
6 / 6
The Garden of God
A plateau in full bloom.
During the rainy season, Kitulo becomes one of the great floral spectacles of the world. Over 350 species of plants, including around 45 species of terrestrial orchids, bloom across the plateau.
Walking through these fields of colour with the mountains around you is a truly unique experience, unlike any other safari in Tanzania.
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The story behind Kitulo.
For many years, the Kitulo Plateau was used for farming and grazing, and its flowers were threatened by illegal harvesting of orchid tubers. Conservationists and local communities worked together to protect the plateau.
Kitulo was declared a national park in 2002, becoming the first national park in tropical Africa created mainly to protect its flora. It remains a hidden gem of the Southern Highlands.
What makes Kitulo special?
It is a floral park, famous for wildflowers and orchids rather than big game, often called the Garden of God.
When is the best time to see the flowers?
From December to April, during the rainy season.
Can I visit in June to August?
The park is cold and foggy in these months, with little visibility, so it is not ideal.
How do I get to Kitulo?
By road from Mbeya, about 78 km east to Chimala, then up to the plateau.
What animals can I see?
Mainly birds and grassland animals such as reedbuck, along with butterflies and insects.
Can Kitulo be combined with other places?
Yes, with Ruaha National Park and Lake Nyasa.
Your safari starts here
Ready to explore the Garden of God?
Let Gip Adventure take you to Kitulo's spectacular wildflowers in the Southern Highlands.