Kitulo National Park Travel Guide
Garden of God
- Ratings:
- Be the first to rate this.
-
Reviews:
-
Be the first to write a review
Kitulo, which has recently become a fully protected National Park, is situated on the Kitulo Plateau, which forms part of Tanzania's Southern Highlands. It is understood that the area, which is known locally as the "Garden of God," provides a home for a wide variety of wildflowers such as balsams, bellflowers, honey-peas, irises, lilies and orchids.
Located partly in the Iringa and Mbeya regions Kitulo covers an area of 413 sq. km at a lofty altitude of between 2,500 and 3,000 metres. The history of the park dates back to 1870 when Fredrick Elton, an explorer, visited the area. The plateau was then named Elton Plateau after his name. In the 1960's a large area was taken over by United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization for wheat and sheep schemes. It later became a dairy farm (which still remains active). Following conservation concerns, parts of the farm, Livingstone and Numbi Forest Reserves have been declared a National Park.
Attractions in Kitulo National Park
As well as flowers, the Park has vast expanses of rolling upland grassland, rounded hills which stretch away to the horizon, waterfalls, rivers and crater lakes. The Kitulo plateau itself is characterised by three main vegetation types - well drained grassland, bogs and rocky ridges. The Kitulo highlands also hold endemic and rare flora and fauna species not protected elsewhere in Tanzania.
Relaxing
Head for the Numbi Valley, often referred to as the jewel of the Park, where small streams emerge from grassy hillsides - a perfect spot to unwind.
Getting Around
The main gateway to the region is the highland town of Mbeya which is connected by road from Dar es Salaam and neighbouring countries, or the TAZARA railway (Tanzania/Zambia). The Park can be accessed from the south via Makete or from the northwest via Mebya and Isonye (60 km from Mbeya).
Kitulo National Park Reviews
Why not be the first and add your review below?