Three main vegetation types characterise the plateau:

• Well-drained grassland on volcanic soils with species like Aster transaniesis, Kniphofia Grantii, etc.

• Seasonally or permanently in undated bogs with species such as Lobelia and Gladiolus.

• Rocky ridges and associated talus slopes on soil derived from metamorphic rocks with species like Moraea callista and Romulea companuloides.

2. Flowers

The park is one of the incredible flower gardens of the world, with over 40 species of ground orchids alone. Flowers come out in their thousands, making an unparalleled carpet of colour, especially from late November to April.

3. Physical Features and Vegetation

Kitulo National Park is floristically rich with at least 350 species of vascular plants documented so far from the plateau. Kitulo highlands appear to be significant geographical grounds for species typical of the Eastern and Southern Africa region. They are extremely rich in endemic and rare species that are not protected elsewhere in Tanzania.

4. Mount Livingstone Forest

Some of the tree species in the forest are Hagenia abyssinica, Ocotea usambarensis, Juniperus procera, and Khaya anthoceca. The forest is also characterised by mountain Bamboo (Sinarundinaria alpina). Kitulo is rich in flora species with 350 species of high plants recorded, including 45 species of terrestrial Orchids, of which 31 species are endemic to Tanzania, 16 are endemic to Kitulo and Poroto Mountain, and at least 3 species are endemic to Kitulo National Park. Two species are only known to be in Kitulo and the adjoining forest. The abundance of plants in the wet season has been described as the greatest flora marvel of the World.

5. Nhumbe Valley

This is often referred to as the jewel of the Park, where small streams emerge from the grassy hill sides, sometimes cascading down in little waterfalls, thus forming the headwater for the Nhumbe River, one of the main tributaries of the Great Ruaha River. A Juniper forest occupies the gap of the valley, one of the most extensive in East Africa. They tower to 50 m high and are the tallest junipers in the world.

6. Nhumbe Waterfall

Its height is approximately 100 meters. The waterfall is 20 km from Mwakipembo main gate and takes one hour to walk down the waterfall and up to the picnic site. You can cool your body there and take brilliant photos.

7. Mwakipembo Waterfall

It is located along the road to Nhumbe valley, 4 km from Mwakipembo main gate, and its height is 8 meters. Orchid, everlasting, Erica, and Clematis uhehensis characterise the area.

8. Birds

Kitulo National Park is an important bird area (IBA) with a wintering site for various bird species from South Africa and Europe. Some species from North Africa, especially Abdim’s stock, use Kitulo as a wintering area. The plateau is also a home of breeding colonies of the Blue swallow and Denham’s bustard. Other endemic bird species include: Lesser kestrel, Pallid Harrier, Cisticola njombe, Kipengere Seedeater and Uhehe fiscal. Several waterbirds can be found at Dhambwe Crater Lake. These are: Yellow billed-duck, White-faced whistling ducks, Common teal, Open-billed stocks and Red knobbed coot.