Kitulo National Park: Trip II

Overlooking the valley to the south. 

Our first visit to Kitulo National Park was in the dry season and as a result we were excited to visit in the wet season. After all, the park is most famous for its flowers. Although the park does not have much wildlife the unique setting of a highland grassland is a treat in itself.

We arrived on Saturday in the afternoon and enjoyed a drive through the north part of the park. We tried to reach a waterfall on the east end of the park but unfortunately the road was blocked by a tree fall. It was unfortunate as we had successfully passed through an extremely muddy area and were feeling good only to have to turn around and struggle through the mud again without having seen the waterfall. However, the ride back to the campsite was nice and we enjoyed a lookout point across the south end of the park.

The campsite was greatly improved since the last time we stayed and they have even built two permanent structures nearby. They are a bit of an eyesore as well as a visible phone tower but it's part of what comes with a recently gazetted park. Kitulo was used in the past for grazing and there are even villages and farms directly on the border and interwoven around the park. Locals drive motorcycles and buses through the park which takes away from the aesthetic a bit. Still, there are parts of the park and recently opened roads that allow you to drive to the isolated part of the park and feel the unique isolation and environment.

Grassland in the evening. 

Beautiful cloud cover in the morning.