Referred by locals as “Bustani ya Mungu meaning The Garden of God” also nicknamed “Serengeti of Flowers” Kitulo National Park is one of the great floral spectacles of the world. It is the first National Park in the tropical Africa to be established primarily for its floristic importance. It is a botanical paradise where 350 species of vascular plants, including 45 varieties of terrestrial orchid which erupt into a riotous wildflower, display a breathtaking scale and diversity during the rainy season from late November to April.

In addition to being a botanists and hiker’s dream site, Kitulo is also alluring to birdwatchers. It is home to Tanzania’s only population of the rare Denham’s bustard alongside a breeding colony of endangered blue swallow and mountain marsh widow, Kipengere seedeater and Njombe cisticola. Endemic species of chameleon, lizard, butterfly and frog are part of the biological wealth of Kitulo. It is well known for its stunning yellow-orange red-hot poker and a variety of aloes, proteas, geraniums, giant lobelias, lilies and aster daisies, of which more than 30 species are endemic to the region.

Wild flowers displays peak during the rainy season between December and April excellent time for botanists, while the sunnier months of September to November are more comfortable for hiking but less rewarding to botanists. Conditions are cold and foggy from June to August. Accommodation is available in Mbeya town.