The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
ADRENALINE-RUSH activities and merry making holiday packages characterise this festive season, with most accommodation facilities in the Eastern Highlands recording 100 percent room occupancy.
Unlike in recent past years when Covid-19-induced lockdowns restricted local and foreign tourists to visit their preferred holiday destinations, this year promises to be an exhilarating one for travel addicts and nature admirers.
Vumba — home to majestic waterfalls such as Nyachohwa, Chinamata, Marindi, Excelsior and Fangudu — is as magnificent as ever, with water flow currently higher than normal due to the heavy rains received so far.
This has provided a spectacular and beautiful view as well as a well-deserved hydrotherapy.
As one enjoys driving through the curvy roads, thickets and indigenous trees, the singing and chirping birds in Vumbawill be providing entertainment.
Friends of the Vumba (FOV) member and White Horse Inn director, Mr Frank Marembo said: “We are looking forward to hosting historic festivities in Vumba. Traffic has been encouraging and we expect more local and international visitors during this festive season. Salmon Mouse, Chilled Vichyssoise, Trout meuniere are some special dishes that will be in store for guests on Christmas Day.”
Osborne Dam, a magical wonder and Manicaland’s largest water body, is another place to be this festive season.
The breeze and the wave of the waters, especially during a boat cruising expedition, is a marvel which gives one the urge to explore more.
The vast fresh water is home to some fantastic species of fish such as Tilapia and catfish which has seen fishing being an added on the visitors’ holiday packages.
The beauty of the massive expanse of water which presents spectacular sunsets, water sports and good fishing can be a therapy and a solution to wind up the year.
Nyanga is also an ideal tourism destination during this festive holiday.
It is home to majestic tourism sites such as Mtarazi Falls, Nyanga Mountains, Nyangombe Falls, Worlds View, Udu Dam and Nyanga Ancient Ruins, among other sites.
In an interview on Tuesday, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe vice-president, Mr Brian Nyakutombwa said although room occupancy at all hotels in Nyanga is 100 percent full, visitors are trickling in for exciting activities such as skywalk, mountain hiking, treasure hunting and horse riding, among others, which arereadily available in Nyanga.
Nyanga is also home to Susurumba Mountain, which attracts hikers from across the world.
It takes about one-and-a-half hours to hike to the summit of the mountain, with spectacular views of Juliasdale at the top.
While animals such as monkeys and baboons are as friendly as ever, a hiker also devours the splendid view of trees such as pigeonwood, rauvolfiacaffra, acacia sieberiana and macarangamellifera along the way to the apex.
“It is one of the perfect moments where visitors enjoy the beauty of Nyanga and the Eastern Highlands. Traffic is encouraging and this is a boost for domestic tourism,” he said.
If one decides to travel to a lush and stunning Chirinda Forest Botanical Reserve in Mount Selinda, which is home to the Big Tree — the biggest tree in Zimbabwe — one can pass through an engineering marvel, Birchenough Bridge which is a valuable heritage site built over Save River.
With the river flowing below it as it meanders to the Indian Ocean, the view from the bridge creates memories that can be cherished for a long time.
Back in Mutare city, Golden Peacock Villa Hotel general manager, Mr Adonis Mutigwe said: “We have lined up exciting packages for the festive season which include Christmas carols, Christmas banquet and music from an array of deejays.”
Mutare/Vumba was ranked among the best tourism sites that hosted most participants through functions this year.
“The first half of 2022 saw 5705 functions being hosted. The Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare/Vumba regions dominated most in terms of functions held, accounting for a combined 71 percent at national level,” said Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive, Ms Winnie Muchanyuka.
Speaking at the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe annual congressrecently, Ms Muchanyuka said there is need to find strategic ways to promote Zimbabwe as a first choice Meetings Incentives Conferences Exhibitions Tourism (MICE) destination.
Inter Africa Buses founder and chief executive, Mr Leonard Mukumba who owns arguably the largest fleet of buses in the country said: “Business has been good this festive season and we are happy that people are now conversant with our timetables. All our buses are travelling with standard and stipulated number of passengers on board and have been getting to their destinations safely. We are urging our drivers and other public transport vehicle drivers to be cautious on the roads since they play a role in managing and avoiding road carnage.”
The festive season euphoria has already gripped Mutare, with people interviewed by The Manica Post this week indicating that they are geared to have fun with friends and family while others are set to travel.
“We are super excited that the time that we usually meet our old friends as well as relatives who will be staying away from us is upon us. The weather is also favourable for us travel freaks and we can also do our shopping freely.
“This is an exciting moment. We will travel to our rural areas in Hwedza on Friday (today), so we are winding up our Christmas shopping so that we will not struggle and try to get things done hurriedly at the last minute,” said a Mutare resident, Mr Tanatswa Chivaka.
Mr ArchfordTembo, who resides in the United Kingdom, but currently in Zimbabwe said: “I am enjoying the weather and the rains. This will allow me to travel to Chipinge and visit my people there and probably assist them with ploughing. I will also take the opportunity to visit some beautiful places in Manicaland such as the Mutarazi Falls Zipline and Skywalk, Nyanga Mountains and Nyachowa Falls which I heard is near Mutare.
“The exchange rate has stabilised and I am happy that I can properly budget. I am currently enjoying the festive season with my siblings as we drink and braai while celebrating the reunion.”
Club owner and businessman, Mr Wallace Gwarada, who recently opened a new entertainment joint in Dangamvura said: “This is a period where we usually make good business. Our patrons are coming through from as early as 10am and are spending the whole day buying beer and braaing while mixing and mingling with other patrons. The deejays are also working overtime as some imbibers are staying up untilthe wee hours drinking and playing pool.”
Mr Blessing Chiba, who runs a shop that sells cosmetics, clothes, shoes and weaves in Chikanga and downtown area of Mutaresaid: “This is one of the best festive seasons. Business has been really good. I am happy that people are coming in their numbers to do shopping. I will close the shop on Christmas eve before travelling to Nyanga with my family. This is the time to bond.”
Musician, Lionel “Caff” Matanda said he has some shows lined up for the festive season, while an excited elderly GogoMakoni said: “I am happy that my sons and grandsons are coming to see me after several months. I struggle with walking, so I cannot travel long distances. I will be able to meet my children and grandchildren at home. I got so depressed during the Covid-19 era as they could not visit me.”
