Off the Beaten Path

Discovering our local the hidden gems

Chirinda Forest and the Big Tree

Big Tree is the tallest indigenous tree in Zimbabwe, and a declared National Monument. The tree is 65 metres tall and 4.5 metres wide. Its age is approximately 1,000 years. The tree is located in the centre of Chirinda Forest in southeast Zimbabwe at the southernmost part of the country’s Eastern Highlands.

Kazuma Pan National Park

Black smudges of black shapes. Brilliant black coats, a white proud blaze ever so slightly standing out from the burnt black woodland. It is fire season and the antelope is Sable. A group of around 7, 8, and 9 females was sitting under the shade. A bull was standing sentry a short way apart, the gatekeeper to Kazuma Pan.

All the specials. All there. It is a landscape so different and so unlike the majority of Zimbabwe’s wilderness areas. It is like something out of a storybook.

Kazuma Pan National Park is 31,300 hectares (77,000 acres) and sandwiched between the Matesi Safari Area in the north and south with a gateway into an adjoining protected area in Botswana. It is well worth a night or two.

Chewore Lodge and Campsite

Chewore is luxurious holiday lodge and campsite which is located at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chewore Rivers, within National Parks territory. Chewore gives a direct view of the water making it a cool and charming location.

The Lodge is made up of five chalets in a secure set up which gives a clear view of the river as well as an amazing sense of being close to nature. There is a communal lounge area where guests can take meals, enjoy some refreshments by the bar, or just sit back and unwind. By day guests may enjoy cooling down by the swimming pool.

The Chewore campsite comprises ten riverside camps which are equipped with food preparation table (work area) and an overhead light, freezer and barbeque area. Each camp has its own ablution facilities which have hot showers and flushing toilets. Inclusive in the rates campers will be provided with filtered water, however, fuel, firewood and ice are sold separately.