The Sunday Mail
Bridal Veil Falls
Harmony Agere, recently in Chimanimani
Manicaland province’s mountainous district of Chimanimani is a place blessed with an assortment of mystic places and natural wonders.
Some of these places are Porkpie Mountain Range, the enormous Chimanimani Mountains and the scenic views of Corner Camp, among other attractions.
The attractions complement the charming picturesqueness of Chimanimani’s terrain thereby making it a perfect leisure destination for those who love mountain climbing and taking aerial views.Despite all the glamour and grandeur, it is the unheralded Bridal Veil Falls which serve as an appetiser to the greater charm of these highlands.
Concealed by the timeless flora of Chimanimani National Parks’ Eland Sanctuary, the falls are as elegant as a veiled bride and are becoming the darling of many tourists .
Plunging some 50m into a base, about 10m wide, the majestic Bridal Veil Falls provides a scintillating view at any time of the day.
The falls collect into a stony pool before meandering through a lovely picnic and camping site which was set up by The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority at the base of the falls. This camp provides a perfect opportunity for campers to steal a look at elands and baboons which wander in the sanctuary from time to time. This is before even mentioning the fresh air provided by the evergreen vegetation surrounding the falls.
It is these and other charms which have made the place the darling of hikers even those who do not like the physical challenge of trailing the mountains.
For those who like mountain hiking, a trail climbs up the mountain from the base of the falls up to the summit where one can take a look at the source of the falls. That the source of the river is right on top of the mountain has led locals to speculate that the falls are mysterious.
The sanctuary itself offers spectacular views of the Porkpie mountain range.
However, despite this place’s potential to become one of the major tourist attractions in the country, it seems neglected and underutilised. While the Chimanimani National Park has arguably been the least known nature reserve in the country, it appears worse for the Bridal Veil Falls. The road infrastructure to the falls and other natural attractions is not well articulated while the area is also short of affordable accommodation for travellers.
At present the park provides only basic facilities, catering for the self-sufficient explorer.
Parks authorities in Chimanimani say the area can increase its number of visitors if the place is well developed and marketed. However, despite the visible neglect, the Bridal Veil Falls’ splendour boastfully remains undisputed.Visiting the place will do little harm, if any, to your pocket. Rather, it is a perfect place to visit for those who have tight budgets. The entry fees for the Bridal Veil Falls are $3 for local visitors, $8 for those from Sadc countries and $10 for international visitors.
Camping per night costs $5, $8 and $10, respectively with children paying half the prices.
Other attractions in this area include viewing the rare Barrosus Palm tree and the unique rock formation of the Mawenje Mountain. Visitors to this part may also look forward to viewing the Nyakwaha and Haroni Botanical Reserves, as well as the Haroni and Mukurupiri waterfalls.
Visitors can also relax at the picnic site at the base of the Muhohwa Falls or take a plunge in the cool crocodile free pools along the Muhohwa River.
