Overview–zimbabwe

Nyanga National Park

Situated in Zimbabwe’s temperate Eastern Highlands, Nyanga National Park is not a classic wildlife destination but it holds considerable appeal to keen walkers. The main attraction is the scenery, which includes Rolling Meadows, montane forests, granite whalebacks, and Africa’s second-tallest waterfall. Large mammals are scarce but the park offers rewarding birding. Several Iron Age archaeological sites lie within Nyanga.

Best Time to Visit

Nyanga can be visited at any time. The birdlife is good year-round but at its best from November to April when migratory birds are present and many residents are breeding plumage. The scenery is at its best in the Wet season (November to March) or early in the Dry season from April to May. At this time, the vegetation is lush and green, and the air is clear and crisp. The sky gets very hazy towards the end of the Dry season. Wildlife viewing is hit-and-miss throughout the year. Unsurfaced roads might be difficult to navigate in the Wet season.

Scenery

The landscape is dominated by rolling hills and rounded granite whalebacks that tower above steep gorges and valleys such as those carved by the Pungwe and Honde Rivers. Mutarazi Falls, Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall, drops 762m/2,500ft into the Honde Valley. Just outside the park, World’s View is a 90-hectare/222-acre National Trust property offering stunning views over the lowlands to the west.

Activities

The most popular activity is walking. Trails include the short steep descent to the surging Nyangombe Falls and a flatter footpath to Mutarazi Falls (the world’s 17th tallest). For adrenaline junkies, a privately run zip line and skywalk can be found at Mutarazi Falls. History buffs will want to visit Rhodes Nyanga Museum, set in a granite stable built in the 1890s, and a nearby Iron Age fort and village.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Jan

Feb

Mar

Dec

April

May

Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: November to April (Birding and scenery)

High Season

From: Never (The park is little visited)

Size

From: 470km² / 181mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Home to all the Big Five, Hwange National Park is very accessible from Victoria Falls and excellent for overall wildlife viewing. Mana Pools National Park is an exciting and relatively off-the-beaten-track wilderness destination where walking safaris are the specialty. More remote still are little-visited Matusadona and Gonarezhou National Parks, which both host growing populations of elephant, buffalo, lion and other safari favorites.

Wildlife Highlights

Most parks in Zimbabwe support dense elephant populations. Numbers in Hwange peak in the Dry season (April to October), when several hundred elephants often gather around a single waterhole. Other Hwange specials include sable antelope, brown hyena, bat-eared fox, and springhare. Zimbabwe is generally a good destination for buffalo, hippos, lions, and the endangered African wild dog. The most reliable for rhino sightings is Matobo National Park.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for wildlife viewing is the Dry season (April to October). Animals are easiest to spot during the middle and end of the season, particularly from June or July to October, when they tend to gather around the few available water sources. Afternoon showers can be expected in the Wet season (November to March).

General Wheather

The climate of Nyanga is generally cooler and wetter than other parts of Zimbabwe. Mean daily temperatures are typically at least 5°C/9°F lower than the likes of Victoria Falls, nights are usually chillier, and rainfall is higher. Otherwise, the broad pattern of hot, wet summers (November to March) and cool, dry winters (April to October) is comparable to the rest of the country.

Dry Season –April to October – Winter

During the Dry season, there is virtually no rainfall, and humidity is low. Wildlife will concentrate around waterholes and rivers when other water sources dry up.

April & May – This is the end of summer. Temperatures are relatively cool, typically around 10°C/50°F in the morning and 28°C/82°F in the afternoon. The night-time temperatures start to drop. By May, the rain is almost gone.
June, July & August – Be sure to pack warm clothes because early morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold. The average morning temperature is 6°C/43°F. Afternoons will be more pleasant with temperatures around 25°C/77°F. Parks at lower altitudes will be warmer.
September & October – The heat gradually builds and peaks in October. The first rains sometimes fall in late October, bringing relief from the very dry conditions. The lower-lying areas get very hot with temperatures of 32°C/90°F and well above.

Wet Season –November to March – Summer

Practically all of Hwange’s rain falls over the warm summer months of November to March. Wildlife is more difficult to locate during this period, as animals tend to go deep into the bush.

November – This month is unpredictable and it might start raining some afternoons. Temperatures are between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 32°C/90°F in the afternoon. Parks in the central Highveld plateau will be colder, and parks at lower altitudes will be considerably warmer.
December, January, February & March – These are the wettest months, characterized by short but often dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. Nights and mornings are warm at around 18°C/64°F. Afternoon temperatures are around 30°C/86°F and the humidity is high, making it feel hotter.

Prons

Great hiking country
Excellent birding destination
Good fishing opportunities
Zipline and skywalk at Africa’s second-tallest waterfall
Rich in archaeological and historic sites
Accommodation options available for a variety of budgets

Cons

Few large mammals
Human encroachment and lack of wilderness appeal
Few patches of Indigenous forest remain due to exotic plantations
Off the main tar road, a 4WD vehicle is essential in the Wet season

How To Get There

Nyanga is usually visited at the beginning or end of a tour of the Eastern Highlands. The park is 260km/162mi east of Harare and the drive takes about 4 hours*.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.