Declared a National Monument by the Zimbabwe Government because of its historical and cultural importance, Mavuradonha is a wilderness area whose name when loosely translated means ‘land of falling water’. Other people, however, suggest that the name refers more to the misty rains, which often hover over the mountain tops. It is seldom visited, neither by international nor locals who are not native to the area. As a result, it is one of Zimbabwe’s true wildernesses, with well-developed miombo woodlands as well as endemic succulents among other plant species that are unique to the Great Dyke region. Mavuradonha is located a mere three hours from Harare, with a rough terrain that is not suitable for low clearance vehicles.
The wilderness area covers approximately 600 square kilometres of savannah woodland, rugged and wild country and enjoys a cooler and moisture climate because the mountains intercept the north-east winds. The ground is rocky, steep and filled with elephant trails up and down the mountains. You will enjoy the baboon-barking, cicada screeching and the birds chirping away. It is surely one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Zimbabwe that is still intact, like virgin land. Within this unique wilderness area, you will find the Mavuradonha Mountains, with cotton farms on the one side and diverse wildlife on the other; the Malingura Hills; the Rwazi Plateau; and the Mvukwe Range; as well as the enchanting scenery that is part of the Zambezi Escarpment. The area oozes with natural history and archaeology due to the abundant sacred sites and is an anthropological haven due to the rich cultural and traditions endemic to the area.
A paradise for lovers of nature and isolated regions: in addition to free-roaming diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery, huge rock faces, meadows, steep mountains, waterfalls, San Rock Art (bushman paintings), caves, miombo forests and rivers await! The wilderness area is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) inhabited by over 290 bird species, including the Dickinson’s kestrel, miombo tit, broad tailed paradise whydah, kurrichane thrush, miombo wren-warbler, boulder chat, racket-tailed roller, Meave’s starling, several large eagles, white-headed black chat, miombo rock thrush, white breasted sunbird, miombo double collared sunbird, and black eared seedeater.
Similar to its more popular cousin the Eastern Highlands, Mavuradonha wilderness area is close to the Mozambican border and from the Eagle Creek Viewpoint, you will be able to gaze down the Muzarabani plains and see as far as Cabora Bassa. The Musengezi River Gorge on the other hand cuts a steep gorge through the mountains, creating an attractive scenery that stretches for miles and miles.
Mt Banirembizi – complex geological mix –
Nestled within the seldom visited but the only true wilderness in Zimbabwe, Banirembizi mountain rises above the Zambezi valley, to peak at 1000 metres high. At the peak of the mountain is where the Zambezi escarpment and the mass of the mineral-rich Great Dyke Range meet. You can expect wild and rugged terrain, leading to the waterfall, where you can camp overnight!
The Egyptian fruit bats: the evening flight of the Egyptian fruit bats at the Bat Cave whose numbers have been approximated to be above 20,000. It is the largest known colony south of the equator around 5 – 6pm.
Tengende Sculpture Village: It is the source of high quality art and an open air gallery. Get to watch soapstone sculptures being carved into meaningful objects by on-site artists. You will also see how the sculptures transfer their mood onto the art pieces. The artists use good quality serpentine and spring stone mined locally within the Great Dyke.
Waterfall dipping and swimming: The beautiful Sohwe Falls, whose source of water emanates from the sacred Bore Spring, a special place for the local spirit mediums. The most interesting thing is that Sohwe Falls has an upper and lower fall that forms natural pools and ponds, just waiting for you to take a dip and enjoy the magnificent view of the Valley. The falls are a great picnic spot and can be great for those interested in meditation and similar spiritual and healing exercises. The Tingwa Spring feeds the Tingwa river and creates rock pools making it a spot for exciting swimming and picnics as well.
Horse riding: you need some experience to fully enjoy horse riding. It is challenging and involves sleeping on a mountain top or the sandy floor of a cave.
Heritage sightseeing and cultural tours: The heritage tour in Muzarabani is something you may not find anywhere else. It is very unique and interesting as it shows heritage structures, trees and rivers outlining their importance in the lives of the local people and the role they played in the history of the Muzarabani community. You will visit the Mutota Kraal, belonging to the Kingdom of Mutapa of the 14th Century. The history of the Mutapa Kingdom is interesting, and one such story is the relationship between Mwenemutapa (Lord of the Conquered Land) and the Portuguese King, which resulted in the coat of arms gift in 1569. Our tour guides and tour leaders will be at hand to share these and other stories, legends and myths along the way. The San rock art provides a great deal of archaeological evidence and fascinating insights into historical evidence of the area. Interacting with the locals will always help you to understand the wilderness and how they live and maintain the beauty of the area. You can watch the “Dandanda” dance at the camp bonfire and listen to some interesting local stories.
Hiking and Wildlife tracking: The terrain is extremely rugged and wild with heavily wooded granite outcrops. Hiking to the Eagles Craig View is something that will make your trip exciting as the trail Mafura-Nzou takes about 3-4 hours to and from the viewpoint. The trail passes through paths used by elephants (hence the name) on their way to the Musengezi River for water. This hike is educational in every way as you will get to learn about elephant spoor identification and the contribution to the ecosystem. The Eagles Craig Viewpoint provides a breathtaking view of the Msengezi River as it meanders in the Valley, making its way down to the Zambezi River. Make sure you bring your camera and binoculars as the hike will give you plenty of photographic opportunities. The area houses 41 species of large and medium sized mammals. Buffalos, elands, sables, kudu, zebras can be seen regularly.
WHERE TO STAY
- Wilderness Eco-Lodge can accommodate over 150 people at full capacity, making it a good accommodation for groups at $35 per person per night. You can also camp if you are looking for an opportunity to fully connect with nature for as little as $15.
- Kopje Tops Lodge has 6 thatched chalets that accommodate 12 people and for the exclusivity of the entire camp for one night, you pay $200. The camp area gives you amazing views of the surrounding plains and trees. There is no electricity and they make use of a generator, however, I would say that’s not necessary and you should dare to disconnect with the everyday luxuries when you go out into the wilderness.
- The Bat Cave Camp is more rustic than Kopje Tops and has 4 chalets, with a private view of the bush and you can enjoy the evening flight of the Egyptian fruit bats at the Bat Cave Camp.
HOW TO GET THERE
Mavuradonha is only 180 km away from Harare and has one accessible road meaning you might need a 4×4 to access the rocky terrain, particularly in the rainy season (November to April). The area is generally accessed on foot once you are there and so you need to be prepared to walk with a guide.
The Muzarabani & Mavuradonha wilderness area is waiting to be explored by you. Book your tour with Tiritose Sustainable Travel and enjoy the walking safaris, waterfall dipping, hiking and heritage sightseeing.
For more inspiration, follow them on their social media handles:
Facebook: Tiritose Sustainable Travel – Home
Twitter: Tiritose Sustainable Travel (@TiritoseTravel)
Instagram: Tiritose Sustainable Travel (@tiritose_sustainable_travel)
Pinterest: Tiritose Sustainable Travel (tiritose_sustainable_travel) – Profile
LinkedIn: Tiritose Sustainable Travel | LinkedIn