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Voykit pocket guide · Zimbabwe
Chimanimani
Two nights for hiking in Chimanimani National Park and the Bridal Veil Falls; one night if you only have time for a day walk. The town is small and the park is the reason to come.
Chimanimani is a small town in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, best known for the Chimanimani National Park and the Bridal Veil Falls. It is a hiking destination, not a sightseeing stop. Most travellers use it as a base for two nights, with one full day in the park and a half-day for the falls. The town itself has a few lodges and a basic shop, but no nightlife or restaurants beyond the lodges.
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (rainy season, trails may be slippery)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- US dollars are widely used; the local currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG, since April 2024), trades around 26–27 per US$ in 2026 and rules change often, so check before you travel.
- Daily spend
- Budget $15–25 excl. bed · Mid $25–50 excl. bed · High $50+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Econet and NetOne sell SIMs with passport registration; Econet has wider coverage.
- Emergency
- Police 995 · Ambulance 994 · Fire 993
- Plugs
- Types D, G · 220–240 V · 50 Hz · UK-style G is common; power cuts happen, so carry a power bank.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: US$10–20 per guest per day.; Camp staff: US$10 per guest per day in the communal box.; Restaurant: 10%.; Transfer driver: US$5.
- Water
- Treated tap water in Victoria Falls hotels; elsewhere drink bottled or filtered water.
- Toilets
- Western toilets at hotels and lodges; few public facilities on the road.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Park entry (per person per day) | $10 |
| Bus Mutare–Chimanimani (one way) | $5 |
| Dorm bed | $10 |
| Double room (lodge) | $15–50 |
| Camping (own tent) | $5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HRE · Harare International
- About 4 h drive; no direct bus — check
- BIP · Mutare
- About 3 h by bus or combi from Mutare; check
Typical fares
- Bus Mutare → Chimanimani
- about $5, about 3 h (check)
- Park entry fee
- $10 per person per day
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk: the town is compact and the park entrance is a 15–20 min walk from most lodges. For the Bridal Veil Falls, a 30 min walk from the town centre.
See and do
Known for
- Chimanimani National Park
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Hiking and adventure trails
- Outward Bound activities
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mutare | Local bus or combi, about 3 h | About 3 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- A few lodges within walking distance of the park entrance and the falls.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Mhoromho-ro |
| Thank you | Ndatendan-da-ten-da |
| How much is it? | Imarii?ee-ma-ree |
| Where is the park entrance? | Ndeipi nzira yekupinda paki?n-day-pee n-zee-ra ye-ku-pin-da pa-kee |
| I need a doctor | Ndinoda chiremban-dee-no-da chi-rem-ba |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Greet and ask about family before business; avoid: Rushing
- Elders: Lower your eyes slightly and use both hands to give or receive; avoid: Pointing at people
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Opinions on the government in public
- Dress: Modest dress in towns and villages; avoid: Camouflage prints
Scams and watch-outs
- The park gate closes at 18:00; start your hike early to have enough time.
- No ATM in Chimanimani; bring enough cash (US dollars) for accommodation and food.
- Mobile reception is patchy in the park; download maps before you go.
Chimanimani is safe for tourists. The main risks are slippery trails after rain, and the lack of ATMs — bring enough cash. The park gate closes at 18:00; do not hike after that.Chimanimani is safe for tourists. The main risks are slippery trails after rain, and the lack of ATMs — bring enough cash. The park gate closes at 6:00 PM; do not hike after that.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Chimanimani yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Chimanimani National Park
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Hiking and adventure trails
- Outward Bound activities
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Chimanimani, revision 5065684 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5065684
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/chimanimani). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.