The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
IMAGINE the thrills and experience of spending the night partying in a forest that is well-known for hair-raising ancient mystical occurrences.
Well, some of the revellers and tourists that throng the Domboshava Caves have had the unusual experience of either partying or camping in the sacred and mysterious Ndambakurimwa forest, which is located some 30 kilometres north of Harare.
It is one of the country’s lesser known but intriguing sacred natural heritage sites.
According to a legend, and as the name suggests, the forest could not be cleared for agricultural purposes. For Domboshava residents, the commonly accepted myth is that if one tried to clear the land, they would wake up to find all the cleared trees back in their original places. Also, the legend has it that if one went with an axe to cut the mostly Muzhanje trees, it would mysteriously disappear, never to be found again.
In another creepy account, a white tourist who had wandered deep inside the forest without a guide was shocked to discover that her long, curling hair had been mysteriously shaved.
With the reopening of the tourism industry, which had grounded to a halt because of Covid-19, both local and international tourists are set to once again make a beeline for the scenic Domboshava Caves. Among some of the major attractions are San rock paintings, the breath-taking geological formations and the natural scenic environment with wooded vegetation.
Flowing streams and pools and an arts centre make the Domboshava Caves a must-visit for adults, children, students, artists, photographers and fitness lovers.
Suitable for recreational picnics, parties and religious gatherings, the serene environs are ideal for walking trails and meditation.
Amid this heavily wooded area, serene and magnificent views, lies an equally fascinating establishment — the Domboshava Cave Affair. This is an unusual restaurant located right in the middle of the sacred Mazhanje Groove, a spitting distance from the national heritage site. Apart from offering exquisite lunches, braais, bush camps and picnics, the Cave Affair plays an important role in safeguarding the local culture, heritage and traditions. The joint is owned by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and is being leased to a local businessman.
The stone-and-thatch restaurant, which deliberately tries to preserve the mystique that is associated with the location on which it stands, mixes both ethnicity and modernity.
With modern cocktail bars that boast rustic designs, the restaurant also has a section that serves as the traditional Shona Dare — a special meeting place where men discuss important issues. Here, strangers often gather around a glowing fire and discuss, not only the serious political or social issues, but also engage in the usual chit-chat. It is, however, the forest area which is fascinating to any visitor. Apart from being used for traditional rainmaking ceremonies, Christians descend on the forest where they conduct all-night prayer vigils.
Revellers occasionally pitch their tents in the middle of the sacred forest, engaging in bush parties.
For those that do not prefer the “jungle”, then the adjacent recreational area is the place-to-be.
With well-manicured lawns, the outdoor recreational area is complete with a swimming pool, bathrooms, ablution facilities and a massive stage where live bands occasionally perform. Tree houses, slides and jumping castles are some of the attractions that endear the place to children. Pasi Goredema (45) has been running the joint for over 15 years.
“When I took over this place, just before I turned 30, it was then known as the Domboshava Hill and Caves Bottle Store, and we only had a small building. I had a meeting with the National Museums and Monuments and the local traditional leaders and it was agreed that this place must be preserved,” said Goredema, who inherited the joint from his late father.
“The community benefits from this heritage site and we safeguard it jealously. For me, it is not only about the business, it is about preserving our culture for the benefit of future generations.”
The businessman took advantage of the Covid-19-induced hiatus to improve the place.
“The shutdown gave us time to do maintenance work and to upgrade. We managed to expand the picnic area and build new water slides for the kids. A lot of improvements were made and now we are ready for a return to our heydays.”
For those that prefer to spend their weekends away from the hustle and bustle of city life, far from the “madding” crowd, Ndambakurimwa forest is the place-to-be.
