Chimanimani, Zimbabwe
Encyclopedia
Chimanimani is a mountainous area in the province of Manicaland
, eastern Zimbabwe
. The region is distinguished by large peaks,carved from a rifted quartzite block, the highest reaching to 2440 m (8005 ft) and stretching for some 50 km (31 mi), forming the border with Mozambique
. Between the village of Chimanimani and the border the ranges are gentler and more rounded. The national park is in the southernmost area of the Eastern Highlands, and is 150 km (93 mi) from the town Mutare
(known as Umtali until 1982).
at 2436m the highest point in Mozambique
, right after the border. Chimanimani is one of Zimbabwe's finest mountain wilderness areas and a very popular hiking destination. Close to the town are the scenic Bridal Veil Falls. Nearby is Chirinda forest, Africa’s southernmost tropical rainforest, harbouring strelitzia
s, wild orchids, tree ferns, cycads and rare trees. The forest is also home to the 1000-year-old Big Tree, a red mahogany (Khaya anthotheca
) nearly 70m high and 16m around. There is also an arboretum near the village.
During the Zimbabwe independence war, mountain passes in the Chimanimani area were frequently used by guerilla fighters between Zimbabwe and their camps in Mozambique
, who laid mines along local roads to disrupt the local economy. Because of this, the passes were heavily mined by Rhodesian
government forces. Land mines have continued to be a real hazard in the area, particularly after heavy rain.
. The name was changed in 1982, after Zimbabwean independence (1980). The name initially was made Mandidzudzure, but after consultation with local residents, this was changed again to the current one. According to the 1982 Population Census, the village has a population of 1,370. The village had a tourist office, a bank, grocery, curio shops and the faded colonial Chimanimani Arms Hotel. In 1995 it also had a travellers' hostel called Heaven, with a permaculture smallholding
which was a popular source of employment in the village. Frog & Fern Cottages on the way to Bridal Veil Falls provide Self Catering cottages within walking distance of the Village.
An African music and arts festival is organised each year around Easter. The dates for the 2010 Festival can be sourced through the recently resurrected Chimanimani Tourist Association.
Manicaland
Manicaland is a province of Zimbabwe. It has an area of and a population of approximately 1.6 million . Mutare is the capital of the province. -Background:...
, eastern Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The region is distinguished by large peaks,carved from a rifted quartzite block, the highest reaching to 2440 m (8005 ft) and stretching for some 50 km (31 mi), forming the border with Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. Between the village of Chimanimani and the border the ranges are gentler and more rounded. The national park is in the southernmost area of the Eastern Highlands, and is 150 km (93 mi) from the town Mutare
Mutare
Mutare is the fourth largest city in Zimbabwe, with a population of around 170,000. It is the capital of Manicaland province.-History:...
(known as Umtali until 1982).
Chimanimani mountains
Much of the range is composed of quartzite ridges, with Monte BingaMonte Binga
Binga is the highest mountain in Mozambique. It is located a few kilometres east of the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique in the Chimanimani Transfrontier Park in the province of Manica. Its height is above sea level....
at 2436m the highest point in Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, right after the border. Chimanimani is one of Zimbabwe's finest mountain wilderness areas and a very popular hiking destination. Close to the town are the scenic Bridal Veil Falls. Nearby is Chirinda forest, Africa’s southernmost tropical rainforest, harbouring strelitzia
Strelitzia
Strelitzia is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa. The genus is named after the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom. A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower, because of a supposed resemblance of its...
s, wild orchids, tree ferns, cycads and rare trees. The forest is also home to the 1000-year-old Big Tree, a red mahogany (Khaya anthotheca
Khaya
Khaya is a genus of seven species of trees in the mahogany family Meliaceae, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. All species become big trees 30-35 m tall, rarely 45 m, with a trunk over 1 m trunk diameter, often buttressed at the base...
) nearly 70m high and 16m around. There is also an arboretum near the village.
During the Zimbabwe independence war, mountain passes in the Chimanimani area were frequently used by guerilla fighters between Zimbabwe and their camps in Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, who laid mines along local roads to disrupt the local economy. Because of this, the passes were heavily mined by Rhodesian
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
government forces. Land mines have continued to be a real hazard in the area, particularly after heavy rain.
Chimanimani village
The village of Chimanimani was founded by Thomas Moodie in 1892 and in 1895 it was moved to its current site and was officially called Melsetter after Moodie's family home in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The name was changed in 1982, after Zimbabwean independence (1980). The name initially was made Mandidzudzure, but after consultation with local residents, this was changed again to the current one. According to the 1982 Population Census, the village has a population of 1,370. The village had a tourist office, a bank, grocery, curio shops and the faded colonial Chimanimani Arms Hotel. In 1995 it also had a travellers' hostel called Heaven, with a permaculture smallholding
Smallholding
A smallholding is a farm of small size.In third world countries, smallholdings are usually farms supporting a single family with a mixture of cash crops and subsistence farming. As a country becomes more affluent and farming practices become more efficient, smallholdings may persist as a legacy of...
which was a popular source of employment in the village. Frog & Fern Cottages on the way to Bridal Veil Falls provide Self Catering cottages within walking distance of the Village.
An African music and arts festival is organised each year around Easter. The dates for the 2010 Festival can be sourced through the recently resurrected Chimanimani Tourist Association.
Further reading
Childhood of a white country doctor's son in the Chimanimani area in the 1960s, and beginnings of the Second Chimurenga (civil war).External links
- Chimanimani Arts Festival
- Destination Zimbabwe: Chimanimani Official tourist site