The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
A VISIT to the country’s oldest nature reserve, Nyanga National Park, is like a foray into a timeless patch of human civilisation. It is a land where the past, present and infinite seem to be woven together.
The park was established together with Matopo National Park in 1926, making the two the oldest nature reserves in the country. The park stands as one of the phenomenal nature reserves in the country, with a wide variety of unique natural and man-made sites.
A stroll or drive around the 47 000-hectare park is an unforgettable experience. The sense of inner peace and harmony is unmatched.
The breathtaking beauty and beauteous environment of the spacious park which provides an unpolluted fresh breeze and spars that are ideal for your wellness draws adventurous travellers.
The national park is home to spectacular attractions that include waterfalls, historic sites, wildlife and mountain ranges.
One also needs to visit the area and enjoy unique gastronomy in trout fish. Trout fish is mainly bred in Nyanga due to the conducive climate conditions and cool spring waters.
Besides natural mystiques that the national park possesses, some adrenalin intriguing activities such as the Mutarazi Falls Zipline and the Skywalk have been created.
The Skywalk comprises two bridges that cut through the Mutarazi Gorge, thereby giving a full panoramic view of the falls.
Altitudes between 1 800 and 2 593 metres provide cool weather and fresh mountain air perfect for rest and relaxation. With its stunning mountainous views, numerous waterfalls, varied activities and unique flora and fauna, Nyanga National Park provides the visitor an unforgettable holiday experience.
The original park borders extended beyond Udu Dam along the east bank of Nyangombe River to the north of the current park boundary.
This expanded the national park to the north and east of Nyanga Mountain, thereby incorporating some important areas of montane rainforest and the sources of the Nyamuziwa, Gairezi and Pungwe Rivers.
The high altitude and frequent rains have seen the growth of natural forests and huge forests of pine trees that have been planted in large portions of the park.
The park is home to several species of antelope, including the waterbuck, wildebeest, zebra, klipspringer, kudu and eland; although their numbers are greatly depleting through poaching.
The splendour of mountains on earth is incomparable.
The park houses magnificent mountains that include the phenomenal Nyanga Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Zimbabwe at 2 592 metres and is the signature attraction in the district.
Annual rainfall totals are high (around 2 200mm), but long spells of dry weather occur during the winter period of May to August. The Nyanga Mountain is divided into seven levels or rather resting stages for guiding purposes and to allow people to take some breaks.
Among other hiking guidelines, a traveller, upon reaching level three, is not allowed to quit. You are also not allowed to hike alone without a Zimparks tour guide.
Again noone is allowed to hike in the mountain after 2pm. Nyanga Mountain has an eye-catching scenery and is home to leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, kudus and zebras which live in harmony with indigenous and exotic birds such as cape buntings, scarce swift and collared sunbird.
It is, however, difficult to talk about the beauty and the splendour of the mountain without talking about its enigma, deep and devilish bowls which have feasted on unsuspecting tourists of all ages.
The mountain is heavily pervaded with myth, legend and bizarre mysteries, with one of the known legends being colourful snakes surrounding a smouldering clay pot, as well as attractive gold bricks.
Within the park, there is also beautiful landscape — World’s View. The area, which is being managed by the National Trust of Zimbabwe, is a spectacular outlook on the escarpment of the Nyanga Downs Plateau in the Eastern Highlands mountain range.
It is situated at an altitude of 2 248 metres with a 600 metres drop to the plain below on the western side. So spectacular is the area that it even charmed Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his wife, Mrs Neo Jane Masisi.
“Nyanga is a hidden treasure, you should talk more about it as well as advertise it. Those who have never been here, better come. They will be in for a real surprise. It is really spectacular, there is a lot to see here,” said President Masisi after visiting the area last year.
The park also houses the majestic Nyangombe Falls. The ever flowing waters provide the much preferred hydro therapy. The Nyangombe River cascades down the rocks into a natural pool and a sandy area.
Depending on the skin you are in, a dip in the ice cold pool in the national park may just be what the doctor ordered for a natural healing dip that awakens one’s body.
The noisy, yet refreshing water leads to a sandy area where families and couples can have picnics. A serene flow of water sings a peaceful song.
The site is one landmark that defines the Eastern Highlands in general and Nyanga in particular. Hoteliers say the park has a strategic location in the Eastern Highlands.
However, there is an urgent need to improve accessibility through rehabilitating some of the roads that lead to the site.
A Nyanga-based hotelier, Mr Winfrey Madhlayo, who is also Pine Tree general manager said: “Nyanga National Park is our pride. It is a reserve where literally everything is available for a tourist to enjoy. The parks are well maintained.
“However, there have been calls for an urgent redress of roads that lead to some of the sites such as Mutarazi Falls Skywalk. So spectacular is the skywalk that there should be more frequent maintenance of the roads linking these sites as it will go a long way in improving accessibility.”
Veteran hotelier and Tourism lecturer, Mr Willard Madhombiro said: “Exploring the park is a lifetime experience that any traveller looks forward to. In so many cases, the visitor’s experience is overwhelming. Visitors are usually accompanied by tour guides to discover the fauna and flora.
“It is always a great and mesmerising experience to go through activities such as game drives and have a date with various animals. This is a rare experience as one does not normally see such animals anywhere.
“A tour into the park provides an exposure to several natural falls such as Nyangombe and the mystic Mutarazi Falls.
“Hopefully responsible authorities will join hands with other stakeholders to rehabilitate some roads, particularly the one that leads to Mutarazi, for a traveller to have a better experience,” he said.
