What is the 'Garden of God'?

It is the local name (Bustani ya Mungu) for the Kitulo Plateau, protected as Kitulo National Park, a high montane grassland famed for its spectacular wildflower and orchid displays and dubbed the 'Serengeti of Flowers' by botanists.

When should I visit Kitulo for the flowers?

The wildflowers bloom during the wet season, roughly late November to April, which is the best time to see the plateau in full colour, though the roads can be muddy and a 4x4 is advisable.

Is the Mbeya region a safari destination?

Not in the classic big-game sense; the Southern Highlands are about hiking, crater lakes, wildflowers, tea estates and Lake Nyasa's beaches, making the region ideal for nature lovers and independent travellers rather than traditional game drives.

How do I get to Mbeya?

You can fly from Dar es Salaam to Songwe Airport (MBI) near Mbeya, or travel overland on the TAZARA Railway or long-distance buses along the Tanzam Highway; the town is also close to the Zambian and Malawian borders.

Destination guide

Mbeya Highlands

Tanzania's cool, green Southern Highlands, home to Kitulo's 'Garden of God', crater lakes and the shores of Lake Nyasa.

What's there

Places to visit

National Park

Mbeya Highlands

Kitulo National Park

The flower-carpeted 'Garden of God' plateau, the first national park in tropical Africa protected mainly for its flora.

Lake

Mbeya Highlands

Lake Ngozi (Ngosi)

A stunning crater lake near Tukuyu, the second-largest in Africa, set within a forested caldera rich in birds and monkeys.

Mountain Peak

Mbeya Highlands

Mount Rungwe

A dormant volcano and forest reserve near Tukuyu, home to the endemic kipunji monkey and rewarding hikes.

Hotel

Mbeya Highlands

Matema Beach (Lake Nyasa)

A tranquil beach on the northern shore of Lake Nyasa, backed by mountains, with fishing villages and pottery markets.

Tourist Attraction

Mbeya Highlands

Kaporogwe Falls

A dramatic waterfall near Tukuyu that plunges over a lava ledge you can walk behind, with views over the plains.

Museum

Mbeya Highlands

Mbozi Meteorite

One of the largest meteorites on Earth, a huge iron mass resting near Mbeya, a curious and popular stop.

Tourist Attraction

Mbeya Highlands

Mbeya Peak & Loleza Peak

The mountains overlooking Mbeya town, offering half-day hikes and panoramic views of the highlands.

Museum

Mbeya Highlands

Tukuyu highlands

A lush tea-growing town amid crater lakes, waterfalls and forests, a scenic base for exploring the region.