Zimbabwe ParksNyanga National Park is not a classic wildlife destination. The main attraction lies in the scenery, birding and archeological sites. Some antelope and monkey can sometimes be spotted on a hike.
Pros and Cons
- Great hiking country
- Excellent birding destination
- Good fishing opportunities
- Rich in archaeological sites
- Several accommodation options available for a variety of budgets
- Few safari animals
- Human intrusion on the park's territory and lack of wilderness appeal
- Few patches of indigenous forest remaining due to extensive exotic forestry
- Traveling by 4WD is essential in the Wet season
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 east of Harare.
Health & Safety
Please read our vaccinations and malaria page for Zimbabwe and our general Zimbabwe safety page for more info:
Emma Gregg
