The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
CHIMANIMANI’S tourism sector is now up and running, with more tourism facilities having been rehabilitated following the devastating effects of the March 2019 Cyclone Idai which left hundreds of people dead and a trail of destruction.
Following a recent visit to Chimanimani, Post Tourism learnt that attractions such as Chimanimani Mountain, Outward Bound, Eland Sanctuary, Bridal Veil Falls, Vimba Wilderness, Moovah Park and Hanoni Falls are ready to host tourists.
Renovations and upgrading of facilities like Tree House in Tilbury and Chimanimani Hotel are at different stages to offer more services to a wider audience.
Tourists are exposed to adventure activities such as the nearby Outward Bound Centre situated on the foot of Chimanimani Mountain.
It offers a range of activities and life-skill programmes, accommodation and camping facilities and access to Paradise Pools.
Visitors can relax at the picnic site on the foot of Muhohwa Falls, take a plunge in the cool pools, or enjoy an exploratory walk in this area of outstanding natural beauty.
The craggy and hilly mountains, despite their imposing splendour remain under-appreciated, yet they offer spectacular outlooks from various peaks and excellent hiking trails that must be visited by anyone from any part of the world.
A drive to the mountainous and picture-square area is a worthwhile experience and with the pending Biosphere Reserve application and Transfrontier partnership with Mozambique, Chimanimani is on the verge of increased tourist traffic in the near future.
Zimbabwe’s Chimanimani National Park and Mozambique’s adjacent Chimanimani National Reserve protect parts of the range.
These two parks, together with a larger buffer zone, constitute Chimanimani Transfrontier Conservation Area.
“Our district tourism is on the rebound following the trail of destruction left by the devastating Cyclone Idai. The tropical storm also put Chimanimani on the world map.
“Initially people were flocking here for rescue and recovery missions, but now we want to move into the phase of rehabilitation and growth.
“That will show that we are a force to reckon with in the tourism sector and if the recent Biosphere Reserve approval is anything to go by, Chimanimani is a sleeping giant that has awakened and ready to take its place alongside the big players in the country and Southern African region,” said Chimanimani Hotel general manager, Mr Mandla Mataure.
“As one of the players, we have upped our game and plans are afoot in the near future to upgrade and rehabilitate our facility.
“Our directors are in the process of pursuing funding options to change the scope of the business and focus on a wider range of clientele as well as diversify our product offering in order to capture new markets.
“It has been a slow process with the Cyclone affecting us in 2019, then two years of Covid-19, but now we are confident the next two years will be very different for Chimanimani Hotel and we will wow our local and foreign guests with something they have not seen before in this part of the country,” added Mr Mataure.
Veteran hotelier and tourism expert, Mr Willard Madhombiro said Chimanimani Tourism is surely back and has urged Government, stakeholders and tourism players to device ways to market destinations like Chimanimani as they must be strategically positioned to fully explore their potential.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between mountains and lifestyle of people who stay in mountainous area. With mountain tourism, travellers should look forward to nature, novelty, adventure and freshness.
“Chimanimani provides tourists with an opportunity to have a glimpse to refreshing mountain tourism experience. It is a worldwide tourism sector whose niche is fast developing and every destination must strategically position itself to explore and harness the market. There are wide range of activities on offer while the rejuvenated Bridal Veil Waterfall is a marvel to watch,” he said.
A bird and tree expert, Mr Peter Magosvongwe said despite past disasters, Chimanimani is still home to gurney’s sugarbird, stripe cheeked greenbul, cape bunting, yellow streaked greenbul, singing cisticola, diedrick cuckoo, emerald cuckoo, scarce swift, mountain wagtail, taita falcon, collared sunbird and olive sunbird.
The mountains houses trees such as trema orientalis — pigeonwood, rauvolfia caffra — quinini tree, celtis africana — white stinkwood, bridelia micrantha — velvet bridelia, acacia sieberiana and macaranga mellifera.
For travel enthusiasts who wish to feel the splendour of being alone in a wild place, hiking to the apex and a walk around the forests will be a worthwhile experience.
A hiking to the apex of the mountain is arduous and requires extra fitness and stamina.
One may spend hours to reach the middle of Mount Binga.
However, one must exercise caution as it is believed that landmines that were planted during the liberation war are still there and continue to be a hazard.
