Kitulo
Size:
442 sq km (172 sq miles).
Location:
Southern Tanzania. The temporary park headquarters
at Matamba are situated approximately 100km (60 miles)
from Mbeya town.
How to get there:
4x4
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 Hamsinina
Saba (57) after the number of hairpin bends alongits
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.
To do:
Good hiking trails 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.
Wildlife:
Denham's
bustard, Blue Swallow, Mountain Marsh Widow,
Cisticola njombe,
Kipengere Seedeater, Mountain Reedbuck,
Eland, Chameleon, Lizards,
Frogs.
Best time:
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. Three special campsites
are planned within
the park, catering to fully
equipped campers. Two moderately priced
church-run hostels are situated on Matema Beach.
Source: TANAPA.
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Download here a pdf with a
more detailed description of this park.
