VUMBA MOUNTAINS

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VUMBA OR BVUMBA MOUNTAINS ZIMBABWE


The Bvumba Mountains or better known as the Vumba Mountain form part of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. Carved out of ancient granite of almost 2600 million years old, the Bvumba Mountains lie on the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, almost 25 km from Mutare.

The characteristic early morning mist in the area gave the Mountains their name of Bvumba, being the Shona word for mist. The climate is cool and pleasant and many of Zimbabwe’s finest hotels are located in the Vumba Mountains. The area also has many coffee plantations.

You will see why some people call the area in and around the Vumba Mountains the “other face of Africa”. This part of Zimbabwe does not resemble the more familiar wide open plains, made famous in movies such as “Out of Africa”. Apart from the natural savannah woodland flora, such as “tree ferns” (Brachystegia), the Vumba Mountains also have deep ravines full of green moss, as well as Strelitzia, aloes and proteas on the higher ground. The Bunga Forest Botanical Reserve and Vumba Botanical Garden are two well-known Zimbabwean tourist attractions in the area. Try to plan your journey in Zimbabwe in such a way that you are here in springtime or summer. The multitude of colourful plants, such as begonias, hydrangeas and fuchsias will make your visit to the Bvumba Mountains unforgettable.

If butterflies are your passion, you will be able to see some very rare species here in the Vumba Mountains. Birdwatchers from across the world rate Zimbabwe’s Bvumba Mountains as one of the best places to see the rare Swynnerton’s Robin. There are also some mammals to be found here, including leopard and the perky Samango monkey.

The Vumba Mountains in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe have fascinated mankind from the ages of antiquity. The Chinhamapere Hill (on the Mozambique side of the Vumba Mountains) is a culturally important site dating from the Iron Age. The rock paintings done by hunter-gatherer inhabitants of the Vumba Mountains are 8000 years old and are an important part of the archaeological heritage of Zimbabwe. However, the Vumba Mountains continue to be part of the cultural and religious life of Zimbabwe, because the area is still used for healing, rainmaking and divining rituals. No visit to the Vumba Mountains would be complete without seeing the Chinyakwaremba – meaning “the hill that sat down”. According to Zimbabwean folklore, the hill sank as a result of an evil curse.

The Leopard Rock Hotel is perhaps one of the most well-known establishments in Zimbabwe. Apart from offering superb accommodation in one of the most beautiful places on earth, this Hotel in the Bvumba Mountains is home to the Leopard Rock golf course (Tiger Woods’ favourite). The Inn on the Vumba is a smaller hotel in the Bvumba Mountains, but also offers very good accommodation for visitors to Zimbabwe. The Inn on the Vumba is closer to Mutare than the Leopard Rock Hotel, but since there is no TV, telephone or internet access, might offer more peace and quiet.