Vumba: Nature’s exhaustless generosity! The botanical garden is adorned with footpaths that enable visitors to explore the interior of the Reserve (Inset) Perennial streams that have formed a small lake

Isdore Guvamombe
Tourism Talk
This is a journey into nature’s exhaustless generosity. You feel it, you disappear in it and indeed enjoy nature’s grandeur and glory.  And, there is no place that makes you feel like that except Vumba also known as Bvumba in the heart of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe.

In the morning, slithers of startling clouds waft — again and again — their silver hue transforming light as it filters through the film of the silhouette horizon. In the final ascent to the City of Mutare, huge mountains form the eastern background, emotionally and artistically giving the sky an eternal kiss.

The scenery there is that of high massifs, juxtaposed with lush green natural forests, vast plantations of pine and wattle trees, perennially flowing rivers, crystal clear upland rivers cascading downslope, deep ravines and waterfalls.

South of this green mound lies the Bvumba or Vumba Range with a distinct flora and in the belly of these mountains are the Vumba Botanical Gardens, a must-see for all those who love peace and nature.

Run by National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the gardens are fit for a weekend retreat or even a single day’s retreat but they will certainly give you a taste of flora and, of course, rare fauna.

As the road serpentines past breathtaking scenes, an aura of scents from smiling flowers attracts you to roadside gardens, where birds, butterflies, common flies, bees and every little creature compete for nectar.

The feeling is good. The weather is unpredictable. The experience is congeal. This is a place you will never forget. Many people are forced to stop for picture moments, for, the scenario is irresistible. If you are a vixen, you might get stuck in illusions and allusions.

The Vumba Botanical Gardens and Reserve, located 32km from Mutare, are established on a portion of a farm formerly known as “Manchester”.

The nucleus of the combined area was bought by Government from Mr F. J. Taylor in 1957 and was proclaimed a national park in 1958.

In 1960, the name of the gardens was changed to Vumba National Park and again in 1975 to the present Vumba Botanical Gardens.

Known as Manchester Park then, the gardens became a tourist attraction and was visited by thousands during and after World War II.

Today 10 000 people visit the gardens annually from every corner of the globe.

The well-wooded park includes 159 hectares of landscaped gardens built around perennial streams that form a small lake.

Sheltered walks between indigenous fern trees lead to displays of banked hydrangeas, proteas and azaleas, begonias, lilies, aloes, fuchsias, cycads and many other  species.

A network of footpaths that enable visitors to explore the interior of the Botanical Reserve has been opened.

Vumba is well endowed with indigenous orchids and ferns. Strategically positioned, flowerbeds are encountered as one leisurely takes stock of the gardens.

A superb collection of the winter/spring and summer flowering varieties has been assembled for the visitors’ enjoyment throughout the year.

To complement the annuals, a herb garden, some roses, proteas, fuchsias, cycads, tea bushes, aloes, camellia, and palm sections have been set up.

The bird-life around the garden and in the reserve attracts a number of visitors.

Several species of birds can be recorded whilst strolling along the many footpaths.

Also found in large numbers is the Samango monkey, which is endemic to the Eastern Highlands.

The self-catering lodges in the gardens are very popular with visitors to the area.

A campsite with ablution blocks with hot and cold water systems is available in the garden.

Caravan sites with beautiful panoramic views and electric power points also have water borne sanitation.

There is also a swimming pool located by the camping site.

At nearby hotels, a number of activities can also be carried out. Provisions can be found from the nearby shops or hotels in the vicinity.

The Leopard Rock, one of Zimbabwe’s finest hotels, provides riding, golfing, tennis and other holiday activities. Seeing is believing!.

 

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