Nyanga National Park, Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe (all you need to know about visiting it)

.

.

.

Click on the subheadings below to jump to their contents:

1. Introduction
2. Contact details
3. Directions, road conditions & type of vehicle to use
4. Accommodation (self-catering) & conservation/ entry fees
5. Nyangombe Natural Swimming Pool
6. Chawomera Fort plus views
7. Wild animals experience
8. Nyamuziwa & Nyangombe Waterfalls
9. Nyangani Mountain
10. The Six Dams
11. List of activities to do in Nyanga National Park

NB: It is strongly advised to read all the reviews on this site in their entirety to ensure that the destinations really suit all your needs & preferences.

Introduction

After visiting this park countless times since I was younger, I was not at all expecting it to have as much impact on me as it did. How can “just” being surrounded by mountains, wild animals & waterfalls make one feel as if they are high on something? I felt like I was floating in the air at some of the altitudes. I felt an enormous boost of confidence… I was at peace! Even days later, as I type this, I still feel calm, collected and a deep sense of peace. What can I say… that is the effect only nature can give to one.

Contact details

The booking process was quite straightforward. I decided to first make a call and this initial communication was with Anne. She was such a pleasure to deal with. The second communication going forwards was now with Everjoy via WhatsApp messaging. He was attentive, patient and communicated clearly. Both Anne & Everjoy made it clear that they would contact me should anything change with regards to my booking or anything else. That, together with how they were already communicating, made me feel like what was happening was more than just a monetary transaction to them but that they also genuinely wanted me to have a chance to visit & experience the beauty within the park. So kudos to them for giving me that vibe – it is always the personalised & seemingly small things that give everlasting impressions. Their Call/ WhatsApp number is +263773500399.

Directions, road conditions & type of vehicle to use

Nyanga National Park is a game park located in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. To get to it from Harare you take the Mutare road which is tarred & is in relatively really good condition, which a smaller vehicle will manage with ease. You then take the left turn off at the first traffic lights in Rusape, where there is a clear Nyanga/Juliasdale sign post. Harare to Rusape is about 173km. This road will connect with the Juliasdale road & if you are a passenger brace yourself for a treat of the spectacular & well patterned mountainous views, with stunning gorges & ridges. There is also a line of some flat top Acacia trees at around 65km from the turn off in Rusape which you need to give a second to appreciate. This road is not as great as the Mutare road is, as it has some patches of potholes here & there. However, a small vehicle can still manage.

As you continue on this road you will get to a Y junction which is on a curve with a huge Troutbeck Inn billboard. The road to your right goes to Mutare so you want to continue following the road you are already on, & as you curve with it, you will see some Nyanga National Park sign posts just a few metres from the Troutbeck Inn billboard. From this point up until the turn off to Nyanga National Park,  the tarred road becomes smooth again, without potholes (at least none that I noticed). Before reaching this turn off, you will pass Montclair Hotel which is approximately 78km from Rusape, & just an an additional 11.5km will get you to the Nyanga National Park turn off. There are clear sign posts so it is not easy to miss. You will drive just 200m before turning left again to the park’s boom gate, which is also where the tar ends. From then on it is now only dirt roads in the park. There are clear sign posts to help you navigate within the park and do ask for a map. The one we were provided with had some parts faded, especially the key. It still does help, however, I do hope that by the time you visit, a clearer map would be available for you. I would also recommend a 4 wheel drive if the plan is to explore the park as much as possible, especially during the rainy season. There are however some areas like the Nyangombe Natural swimming pool (more of it coming below) which can be accessed with smaller vehicles. If you wish to hire a vehicle you can contact Presley Car Rental on +263772546880

Accommodation (self-catering) & conservation/ entry fees

Please note that my following review on the accommodation at Nyanga National Park is strictly based on the thatched chalet which we stayed in, which is Rhodes 1A, as I didn’t get a chance to look at the other chalets. Rhodes 1A is a couples’ chalet & the first thing that stood out for me even from the outside is the size. It is quite big & spacious with large windows which allows for great views & maximum aeration. 

.

As I opened the kitchen door, walking in, I was pleasantly surprised to see the modern renovations (incorporated in the whole chalet). All the floors are tiled with good quality, stylish & bright coloured tiles. This choice of colour does help with assuring one that the chalet is indeed spotlessly clean. The kitchen has whitish cupboards with all the basic utensils one might need. You can also always check with them if there is anything specific you need in case it is not there. In our case, (bearing in mind that we are not foodies), the kitchen met all our needs. The sink is placed right in front of the window so while washing the dishes you can have a magnificent view of the mountains in the distance.

.

The large & cosy sitting & dining area have beautiful, modern curtains & gorgeously crafted reed seats with some real comfy cushions. These seats face the fireplace, which (the fireplace) did a wholesome job of warming the entire room during the evening. We also did not pay any extra fees for the firewood so that was nice.

The room is of course made complete by the large windows – the first one facing the same side as the kitchen windows & the second one facing the opposite side where the remarkable Rhodes dam is. There is also a door which leads to the verandah from the sitting area, just a stone’s throw away from the dam’s periphery. You can imagine my amusement & excitement seeing all this beauty & thinking to myself, “This is all going to be mine to take in for the next few days”. I didn’t even help hubby to offload our luggage as I was already now completely immersed in my own world with all the epicness I was finding myself in the midst of. 

.

After briefly checking out the dam, I rushed to the bedroom & it is quite decent too. It has a double bed which I totally loved. It was covered with clean white sheets & a thick blanket plus another one folded in case it gets cooler. The comfort the bed gave was an effortless 10/10 for me. I was also super chuffed when I opened the curtains to see that the windows also give the same stunning views as the dining windows give. What a view to wake up to! The bedroom also has an open, fitted wardrobe of a decent size and can fit 2 people’s clothing perfectly. 

.

From the bedroom, I then checked out the bathroom which is the opposite door. I don’t think I have ever been to a tourist destination with such a large bathroom. The shower space has enough room for more than two people. And YES, there was a consistent supply of hot water for the duration of our stay, powered by an electric geyser.

The geyser has its own room in the chalet so that allows for residents to never run out of hot water, which otherwise would have been less likely if it was a shared geyser. We also had electricity the whole time we were there. One thing that stood out for me in the bathroom is the basin sitting on a varnished log. Oh! I loved it! It has a combination of different textures & shapes which were just pleasing to the eye.  The windows also have a mountainous view – meaning that, no matter the room you are in, you are bound to have the natural world right in your eyes.

I believe these renovations are still work in progress as I noticed some markings on the bedroom, bathroom and dining walls, where it seems that some furniture  was removed. So I’m guessing the walls will be cleaned & re-painted soon. The dining table set also looked a bit worn out and there may have been some slight roof leaking near the fireplace & the door to the verandah. I suppose it is also just a matter of time before it all gets sorted out. 

Overall, it is a very well thought out, clean, cosy & modern looking accommodation surrounded by a lot of stunning views. It costs $USD50 per night for the whole chalet with 2 beds, payable in RTGS at bank rate. Conservation fee/ entry fee is $2 per day if you are accommodated there, $5 per day if you are a day visitor & $5 per vehicle for both. These fees are also payable in RTGS at bank rate. There are other types of chalets which accommodate bigger groups, such as, the 4 beds & 6 beds chalets which range from $USD70 to $USD90 per night per chalet for locals, payable in RTGS at bank rate. Please note that the fees will vary depending on whether it is low season or peak season. There are also camping & caravan sites. For up to date rates please contact Nyanga National Park on +263773500399 before your visit.

All the chalets are self catering, however, if you wish to eat out there are a number of surrounding hotels which you can eat from such as Rhodes & Montclair Hotels and Troutbeck Inn. During our stay we had our meals at Troutbeck Inn and Rhodes Hotel. 

Nyangombe Natural Swimming Pool

This natural pool is an all time favourite. I wouldn’t visit Nyanga National Park & not pass through it. I remember the first time at this pool, I was in awe looking at it. Of course, like many, I underestimated how cold the water would be just because of how overpowering its beauty was. The outside temperature was also blazing hot so you can imagine the delusion. However, it does feel really comfortable & soothing as you submerge your feet or body in it. So do not let the initial shock deter you from giving your body the much needed calming effect. The reason it is my favourite site & first stop soon after arriving is because, after spending hours sitting in the car, the walk into this pool is heavenly. I can feel all my joints getting relaxed starting with the toes as my body disappears into this water-body. I love to sit at this natural pool for a good while in peace & quiet as I let all the cations created by the movement of water fill me up. I wouldn’t have asked for anything more  as a welcome treat :).

Chawomera Fort plus views

If there is one thing that I have learnt when it comes to visiting a game park, it is that you will never have the same experience twice. It will also take several visits (if ever) to get to a point where you really would have explored every part, seen & experienced everything nature has to offer in that area. Even though I had been to this park countless times, I had actually never taken the road that leads to the Chawomera fort. If I’m to be honest, I’m more drawn to natural phenomena than man made structures, so it being a fort, it was just never my priority. How wrong was I to judge it prematurely though. I’m so glad that my husband suggested for us to take this route on this day & I was just too excited to suggest otherwise. 

The drive was spectacular with the height of Msasa trees grabbing my attention as always. They become shorter & shorter (the canopy almost touching the ground) the higher you go in altitude. This is something that I have observed only in Nyanga. For that reason, the moment we started our ascent my eyes were fixated on the roads as I admired this sight. 

The size of rocks used to build the fort & how high they had to climb from the ground made me wonder just how challenging that whole process must have been. It  also made me think about how spoiled we are to have all the machinery we have at our disposal.

Unfortunately, on the first day of our visit to this fort, it ended up raining (just at the top of that mountain), before we could explore it enough, but the views surrounding the fort were simply irresistible. They ended up making us visit this place the following morning again. One of the highlights there was the floating effect it gave which was sensationally incredible. That is also where we got the astounding view of the large wildebeest herd which I’m about to share just in the section below. So the repeat visit to this fort was definitely worthwhile. 

Wild animals experience

I know the feeling of being in the presence of endless phenomenal landscapes can be overwhelming but please do not forget to keep an eye out for some awesome animals too, including several bird species with outstanding colour variations. 

This time we managed to spot an absolutely stunning Bushbuck, casually browsing by the side of the road. He was kind enough to let me take a few shots of him without disappearing into the thick bush. 

The large & stunning herd of wildebeest spotted at Chawomera fort then became the second mammal species we came across. This beautiful herd was so much fun to observe its dynamics & interactions. We had to use some binoculars for this as they were a bit of a distance… By the way, did you know that a group of wildebeest is called a confusion lol. Whoever came up with this one must have really had something against this species. I can see why that name was chosen though considering how skittish they are sometimes & quick to stampede with many of them not knowing the exact reason for that. Being one of the most hunted species however, this seemingly “confused” behaviour does save many from being short lived. So there is definitely a method to their madness :). 

Among these wildebeest were a couple of adult Zebras which were highly playful, seemingly having a blast of a time. This was one of the cutest & inspiring things I observed on this trip. I guess it just reminded me of how (even us as humans) need these playful moments in our lives too no matter how old we are. And what better place can you let that inner child in you come out than somewhere with wildlife & nature, as everything else surrounding you in that moment will be just Wild & Free. 

We later saw several other zebras during the duration of our stay including the very last day as we were now doing our final drive out. They were standing by the side of the road as if to give us best wishes on our journey back home.

Nyamuziwa & Nyangombe Waterfalls

Among the things that make the Eastern Highlands a superior destination in addition to the wildlife & mountainous landscapes are most definitely waterfalls. In Nyanga National Park, several waterfalls originate, many of which are not easily accessible therefore not popularly known. For some reason when I have visited Nyamuziwa falls in the past, I haven’t really been that impressed. This time however, I would swear that something about this waterfall had changed. It could be the rainy season that has increased its volume but My Oh My!…was it not  just marvellous! The road to these falls branch out from the road that goes to the Nyangani Mountain within the National Park. There are clear signs that lead to this glorious waterfall so it is quite easy to find. 

The second accessible waterfall in the park is Nyangombe falls. These falls are not to be missed too if you visit Nyanga. They are magnificently wide with so much power, it’s soothing to watch. To get to them, while on the main road, you drive past the Nyanga National Park turn off & proceed as if you’re going to Nyanga town. Just a couple of km there will be a sign post directing you to your left. From there you just follow the sign posts until you get to the parks offices & they will give you further directions & any other assistance you may need. The gentleman who was there when we went was exceptional. He seems to be a naturally friendly person which is a great trait to have as it makes it a lot easier & comfortable for visitors to ask questions. 

Nyangani Mountain

After visiting the Nyamuziwa falls make sure to proceed to Nyangani Mountain. The drive to the mountain is not short of sites to view. There is even a waterfall that can be spotted from a distance, becoming clearer & clearer as you get closer to the Mountain. It becomes even more visible if you decide to hike the mountain up to stage 2. Nyangani mountain is a real masterpiece that deserves its own dedicated blog post. I will therefore be giving it the respect that it deserves soon so do watch out for that blog. If you wish to hike though make sure that you have a tour guide with you & do look at these 10 Hiking Tips to help you prepare for your hike. 

The Six Dams

I was pleasantly surprised to see just how gorgeous all the dams in the park are, actually. I’ve been to places where they have a pond & call it a dam which is a bit disappointing. So whenever I hear of dams I’m a bit weary & that’s how I ended up not visiting any of the dams when I’ve visited this park. Again, I was wrong. The dams are definitely worth writing home about. You already know how I felt when I saw the Rhodes Dam which is in front of the Rhodes chalets. The other dams include Gulliver dam, Mare dam, Purdon dam, Nyanga dam & Udu dam. All these dams are spectacular but the one that stood out the most to me is the Gulliver dam. Maybe this is because the other dams are right in front of chalets (which is a great thing to wake up to if you are a resident there). However, if you want a secluded dam away from people for some peace & quiet then Gulliver would be the go-to dam. 

List of activities to do in Nyanga National Park:

The conservation fee (which is an equivalent of entry fee) is paid at the same time that you pay for your accommodation so for all the sightseeing activities there will not be an extra charge, including at Nyangombe falls & Udu dam. Day visitors are most welcomed too.

The activities include:

• Game drive (with own vehicle)
• Hiking Nyangani Mountain (a tour guide is needed)
• Nature walk
• Sightseeing of:

– Nyangombe Falls

– Nyamuziwa Falls

– Several Forts

– Pit structures

– Trout hatchery

– Nyangani Mountain

– 6 Dams

• Canoeing
• Braaing
• Fishing (including trout fish)

For further clarity or bookings please go ahead and contact the Nyanga National Park office on +263773500399. If there is one place on this Earth that you must most definitely visit in this lifetime (even multiple times), it is Nyanga National Park. There is just so much to experience, you won’t even know where to begin. I will probably have to do part 2 to do justice to this park. I wish you the very best in your 2022 travels.

Remember to always have a little intimacy in your life & as always I’m talking about Intimacy With Nature.