Zimbabwe as a whole is one sizable jewel safely nestled in Africa’s Savannah, or maybe we should call it a jewellery box containing stunning pieces, and Mutare is one of those. Formerly called Umtali during the colonial era, it’s the 4th largest city in Zimbabwe and located in what is known as the Eastern Highlands.
Not to be misled by the idea of Mutare being the 4th largest city in the country, it’s a small, almost quaint city, given that Zimbabwe is a fairly small country itself, both in population and geographical size. Despite that, it contains glimpses into the city and land’s history, making it a go-to place for history and art lovers.
The majority of buildings in the heart of town were built during the British colonial era, displaying the old Rhodesian architecture and city layout. You can see glimpses of the former colony throughout Zimbabwean cities and towns, but they appear clearest in the smaller cities like Mutare. Unlike the country’s capital Harare, and the 2nd largest city Bulawayo, Mutare has largely escaped too many changes.
You won’t lack for cultural activities in Umtali, with multiple places you can visit to quench your cultural thirst. Some of these places include:
Side note: You can also visit Africa University, one of Zimbabwe’s prominent universities; a private institution with about 1,200 students affiliated with the African United Methodist Church (a Christian denomination) if you would like.
It would be a crime to talk of Mutare without paying homage to the stunning views of the Eastern Highlands. Mutare was built in a mountainous area, nestled in a valley. The chain of mountains and deep valleys provide views to die for. The lush greenery stretches for miles across the Highlands. The native vegetation is preserved by the rough and inaccessible terrain of the mountains.
Of course Mutare and the Vumba mountains are only one part of the Eastern Highlands, which stretches from Nyanga Highlands, to the Chimanimani Mountains, then south to Chipinge. The mountains around Mutare form part of the frontier of the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border. You could easily drive along this region soaking in the different, spectacular views.
You won’t lack for things to do in Mutare, especially if you have an affinity for exploring, and enjoying the healing powers of nature. There’s plenty of opportunity to go hiking in the mountains, mountain biking, swimming in the lake, picnicking in the Botanical Gardens or Vumba mountains, bird watching, game viewing, fishing…the list is long. Of course you cannot visit Zimbabwe without sampling traditional cuisine as well. The assortment of food to choose from is quite varied. Additionally, not all of Mutare is urban and you can visit the more rural areas which are at the outskirts of the town. The rural Zimbabweans lead a slightly different lifestyle from the city folk.
There are many places in Mutare to stay once you visit, from hotels to lodges, bed and breakfasts, camping sites and Airbnb homes. The most popular place happens to be the Leopard Rock, a beautiful and luxurious resort, but not the only nice place to go. A guide from Tiritose Sustainable Travel could easily assist in finding and choosing the perfect accommodation that matches your taste and budget.
You would need a local guide for you to fully exploit the trip, showing you all the places you can visit, where to stay, interesting activities and the best times for these activities. Tiritose Sustainable Travel provides fabulous guided tours catered to the needs of visitors, and all you have to do is enjoy the trip. We want to ensure that your trip is worthwhile, both enlightening and enjoyable.
When you decide to take the wise decision of visiting Mutare, in Zimbabwe, here are some useful things to remember:
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