The Sunday Mail
MUZARABANI district in Mashonaland Central Province is popular for unflattering reasons.
In 2013, residents of Mucheke in Masvingo were stunned when they woke up to find a naked woman standing near a house in the high-density suburb in a case of suspected witchcraft. The suspected witch was from Muzarabani.
The Masvingo incident took place barely a week after another suspected witch from Muzarabani was found naked in Dzivaresekwa, Harare, on another woman’s bed with blood on her mouth.
Severe droughts and floods have often stalked Muzarabani and the villagers’ woes are further compounded by the hostile, unpredictable weather conditions.
Until the late 1980s, tsetse flies freely roamed the Muzarabani plains, infecting humans with the deadly sleeping sickness.
Weather conditions in Muzarabani are particularly harsh with temperatures averaging between 39 and 40 degrees.
However, for those that might want to enjoy the splendours of the wild, the Mavhuradonha Escarpment, which is adjacent to Muzarabani and is also part of the Zambezi Valley – this is the place to go.
The Mavhuradonha Escarpment, with its woodland, rocky hillsides and riverie vegetation, is one of the little-known tourist attractions in Zimbabwe.
Only a two-hour drive from Harare, the escarpment is home to the Mavhuradonha National Park, the only wildlife sanctuary in the country that is run and managed by the community.
Elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, elands and kudus, among other animals, freely roam the Mavhuradonha Mountains.
Forget about electric fences and other forms of barriers; in Mavhuradonda also known as Matusadonha, villagers keep to their homes and fields, whilst the animals confine themselves to the cover of the mountains.
Unlike animals from other places, Mavhuradonha animals rarely trespass into the villages.
The national park is regarded as a breeding ground for wild animals found in the Zambezi Valley.
From the Banirembizi View Point, large herds of zebra, sables, impalas and kudus, among others, can be seen roaming the environs. Banirembizi is a flat land that is located on the apex of a part of the Mavhuradonha Mountains.
Here zebra herds of up to 25, some of the biggest zebra herds to be found anywhere else on the continent, can be seen graciously feeding on the perennially green grass.
Unlike the unfriendly climatic conditions in the Muzarabani plains, the Mavhuradonha Mountains are blessed with a cool, moist climate, making it a perfect destination for getaways.
The rocky hills are a hiker and mountain climber’s paradise and other activities to be enjoyed in the national park include game viewing, bird watching and adventurous walking safaris.
Some of the star attractions are waterfalls, springs and natural pools.
At the Bore Springs, tourists can bath and swim in the natural swimming pools and ponds. For several metres, water plunges on the bare granite rocks, forming the beautiful Sohwe Waterfalls.
At the bottom of the falls is a natural swimming pool in which visitors can plunge into and cool themselves after a tough day of negotiating the terrain.
From the Eagle Creek View Point, one’s eyes can wander down the Muzarabani plains and as far as Cabora Bassa in Mozambique.
The Musengezi River, which has its source in Mvurwi, can be seen snaking its way through the mountains on its way to the mighty Cabora Bassa Dam.
Perched on top of the mountains, but hidden from view by a lush green forest is the little-known Mavhuradonha Wilderness Eco-Lodge.
Apart from offering spacious accommodation, the lodge also boasts of spacious grounds where tourists can pitch up their tents.
The Mavhuradonha Wilderness Eco-Lodge lies on the road from Centenary as it descends through the escarpment towards Muzarabani.
A stream flows through the lodge, giving a tranquil and picturesque retreat that will rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.
Water is drawn from a natural spring and the lodge can only accommodate 40 people.
Mr Lameck Adhaki, a vastly experienced game scout, professional hunter and tour guide, manages the exclusive lodge.
“Contrary to what many people think – we cater for almost everyone: schools, backpackers, families and we also organise conferences and braais. Those that will come down here will be pleasantly surprised,” Adhaki said.
Director of the Mavhuradonha Wilderness Eco-Lodge, Mr George Seremwe, says he has a dream for this little-known but beautiful resort.
“My dream is to transform the Mavhuradonha Escarpment into a well-known travel destination.
“The infrastructure is there, what has been lacking is a major marketing drive. We are also proud to be working with the local people,” said Seremwe.
A major player in the hospitality industry, Seremwe also operates other upmarket lodges, namely the Small World Lodges in Harare and Vumba.
