Nyanga National Park, a three-hour drive southeast of Harare, is a favorite of the capital's residents who come here for trout fishing, climbing, horseback riding, canoeing (there are many dammed lakes), or simply for a walk. Ranging in altitude from 2,000 to 2,593 meters (with Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe's highest peak), Nyanga Park spreads its pine forests and rocky mountains over 47,000 hectares. In this hiking area, there is no shortage of natural and historical sights, giving a purpose to each walk: water bodies, waterfalls, peaks, viewpoints, remains and ruins of forts and villages ..The western part of the park was once the private estate of Cecil Rhodes. He acquired it for the purpose of growing apples and raising sheep. He spent the last years of his life on his farm near the Rhodes Dam. As a legacy of Cecil Rhodes, the park established in 1926 was one of the first national parks to be declared in the country. Established as Rhodes Inyanga National Park, it now incorporates the former Mtarazi Falls National Park. The boundaries of the park have expanded several times: the park almost doubled in size with the purchase of most of the Inyanga and Kwaraguza farms in the late 1990s. The acquisition of Nyazengu Farm in 2000, formerly an enclave in the park, completed the protection of the area.The vegetation of Nyanga is part of the highland forest-grassland mosaic. In particular, there are msasa, Mulandje cypress, giant tree fern, heather, flame lily, aloe, black acacia, and pine. The last two species, which were once introduced, are subject to eradication programs, as they are too invasive.Concerning the fauna, the attraction of this park, compared to others, is not due to the emblematic mammals. Even if it is not very visible, there is a remarkable diversity: different antelopes, leopards, hyenas, otters, the frog of the Inyangani River. A few buffaloes and lions have been spotted, they probably come from the Mozambican lands. The park is best known for its population of diademed cercopithecus. It also hosts a remarkable birdlife.In terms of topography, most of Nyanga National Park is underlain by granite. The highest mountains are composed of dolerite and sandstone. The harder dolerites form cliffs and ridges and the granite-dolerite contact often forms waterfalls. For example, the Pungwe River rises at the foot of Nyangani and flows south through the park before falling 240 m. Mtarazi Falls is 762 m high and is the highest waterfall in Zimbabwe and the second highest in Africa. In general, the park is well watered by numerous streams and rivers. The central and eastern parts of the park are part of the Zambezi River basin. Five dams have been constructed: Rhodes, Mare, Gulliver, Purdon and Udu.The western part is the most developed part of the park. Located a few kilometers from the main entrance to the park, the ranger and reservation offices have been established here. There are many sights to be seen here, including Nyangombe Falls and Nyangombe Swimming Pool, the two most important archaeological sites, Nyangwe Fort and Chawomera Fort, as well as the pit structures. This area also includes major recreational facilities, such as the five dams for recreation and water sports.At the heart of Nyanga National Park is the Nyazengu Private Reserve and Nyazengu Falls. But this part is mainly the area of Mount Nyangani, the highest peak in the country reaching 2,593 m.Much less developed, the southern part of the park is accessible by 4 x 4 until Pungwe View. After this point, the track deteriorates and it is better to continue on foot. The scenic road offers spectacular views. It appears on all the maps of the area and partly follows the Pungwe River. To facilitate the observation of the landscapes, headlands have been built: Pungwe View, Honde View, Mtarazi Falls View.Nyanga National Park is very well signposted and is only a few kilometers from Juliasdale, Nyanga and Troutbeck. From Harare, take the national road to Rusape and then turn off towards the park. However, it is also possible to reach Nyanga from the north by driving to Nyamapanda (at the Mozambican border) and then following the tracks through the communal lands. The journey is then much longer and more difficult (passes, defiles, hills...), but 60 km north of Nyanga, the road is again paved and crosses tea, coffee and cotton plantations. For the western part, the sectors of Udu, Nyanga and Nyangwe are the most directly accessible. Located a few kilometers from the main entrance to the park, they house the ranger office and the reservation office, as well as a multitude of inexpensive accommodations. Please note that the national park entrance fee applies only to those who leave the main road.

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