Chimanimani National Park is one of Zimbabwe’s finest mountainous wilderness areas and a very popular hiking destination located in the Eastern side of the country.
It has got a total of 17110 ha in size endowed with springs, spectacular scenic views and cultural aesthetic values and natural falls such as the Bridal Veil Falls.
It is a biodiversity hotspot with Afro-montane forests and an Important Bird Area (IBA). With 2,182 plant taxa, it has over 30 % of the total plant diversity in the country, of which 74 species are endemic to Chimanimani mountains. Wildlife in the Chimanimani national park is not abundant, but includes species such as eland, bushbuck and blue duiker.
The area is mostly covered with Miombo woodlands in the Eland Sanctuary.
How to get there
Access by road
Access by air
What to bring
- Binoculars, cameras, hiking/ walking shoes and wildlife reference books or smartphone applications.
- Food supplies enough for the stay.
- First Aid Kit (With antihistamines, plasters, arnica oil for sprains and an antiseptic for stings and cuts)
- Camping tents.
- Sleeping bag
- Torch
What to wear
If new to the region, March/ April and August / September are always good times to visit the Chimanimani National Park.
- Walkers should really carry warm, wind and waterproof clothes, a warm hat
Caution
- In the rainy season, it is not recommended to camp near a river but to stay on higher ground as flash floods are common and dangerous.
- Guided hikes up the mountain are highly recommended, but visitors are warned most are quite arduous and require a degree of fitness and stamina.
- Camping is at the visitors’ own risk and includes sleeping in Terry’s or Peter’s caves, actually disused mine shafts.
This is an ideal picnic and camping site within easy walking distance from the Chimanimani Village.
Tucked away at the base of high cliffs, where time seems to stop and all that’s to be heard are birds singing and the water trickling over rocks into a crystal-clear pool.
