Originally the Park was an estate belonging to Cecil John Rhodes who arrived there by coach from Umtali in 1897. He was so captivated by Inyanga's beauty that he bought 820 square kilometers, which he bequeathed to the state in 1902 when he died. Part of Rhodes' homestead still stands at what is now Rhodes Hotel. It is a little museum exhibiting items of furniture used by Rhodes himself, giving an insight into the colonial lifestyle of his time. The Park is a lovely wilderness area home to a number of herbivores, leopard and baboons.

Transport: Public transport does not go to Nyanga on a regular basis, but for those with their own vehicles good, full-width tarred roads from Harare/Rusape and Mutare go to Nyanga National Park; the distance from Harare is 275 km and from Mutare, approximately 80 km. The entrance is beyond Juliasdale and Parks Reception and Offices are clearly signposted.

Accommodation: The Park has three picturesque dams overlooked by fully equipped, self-catering lodges: Udu, Rhodes and Mare, all of which are serviced and have fire-places for cosy evenings.
Udu the newest camp where lodges are attractively thatched has electric lights, 'fridges and kettles.
Rhodes accommodation is brick under thatch also with electricity throughout.
Mare is the oldest, built in the mid 1950s where lodges are built of stone, wood or brick. Here you would experience cooking on old wood stoves, skillfully managed by lodge attendants. There are electric lights, 'fridges and kettles. If camping or caravanning is your forte, there are two sites one near a good natural swimming pool on the Nyangombe River, and the other on the Mare River. Both sites are serviced with ablution blocks, water taps and braai-places.

Should you be advised that all accommodation is booked, try the Nyanga Parks Office from where one quarter of the lodges are reserved for allocation. Tel. 263-298, 274 or 384, Fax 263-298-778, Address P Bag 2050, Nyanga. To secure a trout fishing permit apply here.

It should be noted that National Parks does not run any transport system within the Park.

WHAT TO SEE

Many scenic drives along the network of gravel roads are accessible to the normal family car. They lead to pretty dams and historic sites.

Historic Sites are evidence of an ancient race. Huts were built to resist the generally wet conditions and to fend off unwelcome intruders. The main rafters of a hut were taken below ground level and solidly anchored while the thatching almost reached ground level. The hut stood on an artificial platform in the centre of which was a stone-lined pit up to six metres in diameter and two metres deep. Entrance to the pit was a covered passage. Of note is extensive terracing on many mountain-slopes where with utmost patience and hard work they made a livelihood for themselves.

Mt Inyangani (the highest point in Zimbabwe, 2592 m) rewards the climber with panoramic views of surroundings. A relatively easy climb to the summit takes approximately two hours. Visitors are warned not to climb Mt Inyangani if there is low cloud and to familiarise themselves with, and adhere to, climbing rules. These are displayed on a board in the car park at the foot of the mountain.

Nyangombe Falls are attractive although not spectacular. The pool at the bottom of the Falls is a popular swimming place, but beware of slippery rocks.

Trout Research Centre and Hatchery are within walking distance of Mare Dam lodges. Here visitors will be amazed at the hundreds of trout swimming around leisurely in ponds. Some are used for breeding, others are taken to stock dams and rivers in the highlands.

Pungwe Gorge and Falls are well worthwhile a day visit along scenic roads (no shops!) where visitors will find lovely picnic spots along the Pungwe River. Swimming is safe in the crystal clear water. During the rainy season only 4 wheel drive vehicles should be used to reach the Drift.

What to pack: Summer days are temperate, although hot enough to enjoy a bracing swim; take a raincoat and umbrella, light day garments, and something warmer for early mornings and evenings. Winter mornings and evenings are very cold, days are sunny with a nip in the air. Clothing that can be taken off easily as the day warms up is best. If you plan to go walking a small rucksack with water bottle would be a good idea.