Travel Guide Chimanimani

Chimanimani is a mountain range, a national park and a village located 148 km southeast of Mutare. It is a true haven of peace, a jewel in the surrounding mountains. Historically, Chimanimani was established in 1892 by two brothers, named Thomas and Dunbar Moodie. The name Chimanimani has been the subject of much discussion, with the village changing its name several times, from Melsetter to Mandidzudzure and back to the original Chimanimani. Originally, the term Tshimanimani, which means "to squeeze together" in the Manyika language, describes the narrow gorge through which the Musapa River forces its way. On the tourism side, the village has known long years without real tourist activities. Today, it is reborn from its ashes thanks to the new dynamism of the Chimanimani Tourist Association: visitors are welcomed as guests, young guides have been trained, the buildings are better maintained, the streets are much cleaner and the stray dogs have been sterilized. Easily accessible, Chimanimani has a few stores, a post office, a gas station and a bank. For travelers, it is the starting point for expeditions in the surrounding area and in the national park, and the offer of accommodation is varied. Chimanimani, on the other hand, suffered greatly from Cyclone Idai, which hit the region in March 2019. Nearly 170 people died in the floods.