Kitulo National Park

　　    Kitulo National Park is a highland grassland and montane forest reserve situated in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, spanning 412.9 square kilometers. Part of the park lies in Mbeya Region, and part in Iringa Region. The protected area mainly includes the Kitulo Plateau and the nearby Livingstone Forest.

　　    Locals refer to the Kitulo Plateau as Bustani ya Mungu, meaning "God’s Garden." Botanists call it the "flower of Serengeti" and describe it as "one of the great floral spectacles of the world." As one of the important watersheds of the Ruaha River, Kitulo is renowned for its rich vegetation—not only orchids, but also astonishing yellow and orange torch lilies, along with a variety of tree ferns, geraniums, lobelias, and daisies, over 30 of which are native to southern Tanzania. Large mammals are not commonly seen, but there are some reedbucks and greater kudus roaming the open grasslands.

　　    Kitulo National Park is not only a paradise for botanists and hikers, but also attracts numerous birdwatchers. It is home to Tanzania’s only population of the rare Denham’s bustard, a breeding site for the endangered blue swallow, as well as region-specific species such as the mountain marsh widowbird, Kipengere seedeater, and Churring cisticola. Additionally, native butterflies, chameleons, lizards, and frogs add to the biodiversity of this "God’s Garden."

　　    Kitulo National Park Reason to visit: Tanzania’s most stunning botanical landscape Continent: Africa [Africa] Country/Region: Tanzania [Tanzania] Province/State: Mbeya and Iringa Regions [Mbeya and Iringa Regions]