Nyanga National Park is in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. It contains the highest land in Zimbabwe, with green hills and perennial rivers. Mount Nyangani, the highest point in Zimbabwe, lies in the centre of the park and Mutarazi Falls, Zimbabwe's highest waterfall, is in the south of the park.

Understand

One of the first national parks to be declared in the country. Most of its terrain consists of rolling downland, sometimes lightly wooded, lying at altitudes between 1,800–2,593 metres (6,560–7,544 feet). Nyanga National Park incorporates the former Mutarazi Falls National Park on its southern boundary.

History

The national park is one of the oldest in Zimbabwe, established as Rhodes Inyanga National Park, a bequest from Cecil Rhodes.

Get in

• 1 Bus terminus and shared taxis. Buses and shared taxis to Harare, Mutare arrive/depart from the city centre of Nyanga town. (updated Jul 2024)

Get around

The city centre of Nyanga is small and walkable.

To reach the Nyanga National Park or other natural sites, it is best to have your own vehicle. Alternatively, you can try and find a shared taxi from the bus Terminus in the city centre to drop you to the nearest road of the place you want to visit, then walk.

See

• 1 World's View (30 km northeast of Nyanga town via A14). If you don't drive, take a shared taxi from Nyanga city center (US$2, 20 min) to 2 Troutbeck, then walk for 8 km on the dust road following the signposts.
  The view of northern Zimbabwe is beautiful. From the parking, you can hike 30 min uphill on steep rocks to the summit (2000 m) then walk along the hill on small unmarked footpaths. (updated Jul 2024)
• 3 Mount Nyangani (Mount Inyangani). Highest summit of Zimbabwe (2592 m). (updated Jul 2024)

Mount Nyangani

• 4 Pungwe Viewpoint. (updated Jul 2024)

Pungwe Falls

• 5 Honde Viewpoint. (updated Jul 2024)
• 6 Mutarazi Falls. The highest waterfall in Zimbabwe (762 m), and the second highest on the Continent. Visitors may leave their vehicles at the car park and take a short hike to the edge of the escarpment for views of the waterfalls and the Honde Valley, approximately 800 metres below. (updated Jul 2024)
• 7 Nyangombe Falls. (updated Jul 2024)

Nyangombe Falls

• 8 Ziwa Ruins. (updated Jul 2024)

Do

There are numerous hiking paths leading to most of the waterfalls and many of the ruins, and along the rivers and mountains in the park. The main route up Mount Nyangani is a hike, and has views across the park, much of Nyanga District and further into Mozambique.

Short horse-riding trails are available around Nyangwe Fort, the Experimental Fruit Station and Mare Dam. There are longer trails into Warrendale, beyond Udu Dam. The trails start and end at the Pony Trails office, on the gravel road from the park headquarters to Mare Dam.

Fly fishing: The dams and rivers of Nyanga National Park are stocked with trout. The five dams and the Kayirezi, Mare, Nyamuziwa, Nyangombe and Pungwe Rivers are stocked with rainbow trout. Brown trout and brook trout are to be found in Lake Gulliver and Purdon Dam only. The park entrance fee includes a fishing licence, valid for all waters open to fishing, except for Lake Gulliver and Purdon Dam, for which a separate licence is available. Fishing is restricted to certain times of year.

Rivers in the park are free of bilharzia, unlike the rest of Zimbabwe. There is a natural swimming pool on the Nyangombe River, near the park headquarters, and a swimming weir on the Udu River below Udu Dam.

The park's five dams are all suitable for boating and boats are available for hire at Rhodes, Mare and Udu Dams.

Buy

• 1 ATM, South of city centre. There seems to be only one bank and ATM in Nyanga town and the ATM does not always work. Bring enough cash to cover your stay. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Souvenirs. There are many locals selling sculptures and other souvenirs on the dust road south of the city centre. (updated Jul 2024)

Also many grocery shops are around the bus terminus.

Sleep

Lodging

• 1 Village Inn, 238 Fisherman's Loop, Rochdale, ☏ +263 77 388 2182. Check-out: 11:00. Friendly staff, quiet gardens to sit and relax, alleys decorated with columns. You can also have dinner at the restaurant and there is a bar. Double w/ bathroom and breakfast US$75 on weekdays, US$45 on Friday and Saturday. (updated Jul 2024)