​Overview – Nyanga NP

Nyanga National Park is not a classic wildlife destination. The main attraction lies in the scenery and birding. Also of interest are several archeological sites, including ruins of Iron Age villages and forts. Wildlife is scarce, but you might spot some antelopes and monkeys on a hike.

 
View Photos (7)
Best Time to Go November-April (birding and scenery)
High Season Never (The park is little visited)
Size 470km² / 181mi²
Altitude 1,126-2,430m / 3,694-7,972ft
+5 Photos

Pros & Cons

  • Great hiking country
  • Excellent birding destination
  • Good fishing opportunities
  • Rich in archaeological sites
  • Accommodation options available for a variety of budgets
  • Few safari animals
  • Human encroachment and lack of wilderness appeal
  • Few patches of indigenous forest remaining due to exotic forestry
  • Traveling by 4WD is essential in the Wet season

Nyanga NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

There are few safari animals remaining in the park but some small wildlife is resident, including klipspringer, reedbuck and greater kudu. Samango monkey is also spotted regularly.

Birding

Nyanga is one of Zimbabwe's birding hotspots. Over 300 species have been recorded, of which several are near-endemics. The park is part of the globally important Eastern Zimbabwe Mountains Endemic Bird Area (EBA).

Scenery

The landscape is dominated by rolling hills, studded with huge, smoothly rounded granite whaleback outcrops, which tower over steep gorges and wide valleys. The Pungwe and Honde rivers run in the valleys below the escarpment. The Matarazi Falls, Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall, drops 762m into the Honde Valley.

Weather & Climate

The weather and climate of Nyanga is comparable to that of Zimbabwe in general. More info:

Best Time to Visit

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

Getting There

Nyanga is usually visited at the beginning or end of a tour of the Eastern Highlands. The park is located 260km/162mi east of Harare.

Health & Safety

Please read our vaccinations and malaria page for Zimbabwe and our general Zimbabwe safety page for more info:

Want to Visit Nyanga NP?

Nyanga NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Emma Gregg  –  
United Kingdom UK

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.

Wooded hills and waterfalls
4/5

If you believe a safari just isn’t a safari if it doesn’t include a few Big Five encounters, Nyanga is unlikely to make your shortlist. To me, this park’s biggest appeal lies in its hiking potential. Naturally, hikers would argue that...

Full Review

All 6 Expert Reviews
Latest User Review
www.wlasnadroga.pl  –  
Poland PL
Reviewed: Aug 26, 2015
4/5

Nyanga Park has the biggest mountain in Zimbabwe and this was our goal to trekking there. This was the most empty Park in Zimbabwe we saw. But we recommend it even that you will not see too much animals. You can go to the mountains or see...

Full Review

All 6 User Reviews Write a Review