Fact About the Kitulo Plateau National Park
- Size: 412.9 sq km (156.902 sq miles)
- Location: Southern Tanzania. The temporary park headquarters at Matamba are situated approximately 100km (60 miles) from Mbeya town.
Getting there
4×4 drive only. From Chimala, 78km east of Mbeya along the surfaced main road to Dar es Salaam, head south along the rough but spectacular dirt road – called Hamsini na Saba (57) after the number of hairpin bends along its length – to the temporary park headquarters at Matamba, from where it’s another hour’s drive to the plateau. Basic and erratic public transport is available.What to do
- Good guided hiking trails on the plateau and other environments – exist and will soon be developed into a formal trail system.
- Open walking across the grasslands to watch birds and wildflowers.
- Hill climbing on the neighbouring ranges. A half-day hike from the park across the Livingstone Mountains leads to the sumptuous Matema Beach on Lake Nyasa.
When to go there
- The superb scenery: open montane grassland is a unique environment for Tanzania
- Endemic or near endemic species of plants animals
- A heaven for nature – loving Tourists specializing in plants
- Wildflower displays peak between December and April. 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
- Mbeya is serviced by everything from luxury hotels to simple guesthouses, while two simple guesthouses also exist in Matamba.
- There is no accommodation in the park as yet, but very basic accommodation and meals are available at the adjacent Kitulo Farm nearby Matamba village 10km from the park gate.
- Three special campsites are planned within the park, catering to fully equipped campers.
- Two moderately priced church-run hostels are situated on Matema Beach.
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