Establishment: 2005
Area: 412.9 sq km.
Location:
Southern highlands of Tanzania, close to Lake Nyasa: between the Kipengere, Mporoto and Livingstone mountains.
Principalfeatures:
Floral vegetation, Mountains, Montane grassland community
Altitude:
2,600 meters above sea level.
Major attractions:
Wildflowers, vascular plants, variety of birds, endemic species of butter fly chameleon, lizard and frog.
Common animals: Few species present: they include mountain reedbuck & eland
Distance and time:
From chimala, 78 km east of Mbeya along the surfaced main road to Dar – es – salaam, head south along the rough but spectacular dirt road called “hamsininasaba” (57), after the number of hair pin bends along its length (Approximately 2 hours) to the temporary park headquarters at Matamba, from where it is another hour at a normal driving speed to the park. Erratic public transport is also present.
Best time to visit:
For wildflower lovers the best time is between December and April. For hikers good months are from September to November because it is sunnier.
Facilities:
Luxury hotels and guest houses are in Mbeya and so is the airport as well as Tour operators and Travel Agents. Guest houses can also found at Matamba. Within the park, there are campsites and picnic sites. Further down on the lake shore at Matema beach there is a conference centre, a tourist resort and hostels.