Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, trails may be slippery)
- Airports
- HRE · BIP
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zimbabwe ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zimbabwean government sources; if you will cross to Zambia, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zimbabwe ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or border posts.
- Zimbabwe ↗Bring enough US dollars in small, clean notes; do not rely on ATMs or foreign cards outside Victoria Falls, Harare and lodges.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chimanimani995 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chimanimani, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?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…Zimbabwe-wide
- SIM or eSIMEconet and NetOne sell SIMs with passport registration; Econet has wider coverage.Zimbabwe-wide
- Tap waterTreated tap water in Victoria Falls hotels; elsewhere drink bottled or filtered water.Zimbabwe-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10%.Zimbabwe-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Zimbabwe-wide
- SafetyChimanimani is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets at hotels and lodges; few public facilities on the road.Zimbabwe-wide
- Emergency numbers995 police · 994 ambulance · 993 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on public holidays; tourist businesses at Victoria Falls stay open.Zimbabwe-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHRE Harare International (About 4 h drive; no direct bus — check).
- Getting aroundWalk: the town is compact and the park entrance is a 15–20 min walk from most lodges.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus Mutare–Chimanimani (one way)check$5
- Museum or sight ticketPark entry (per person per day)$10
- Budget bedCamping (own tent), a night, per personUS$5
- Mid-range bedDouble room (lodge), a night, per roomUS$25
- High-end bedDouble room (lodge), a night, per roomUS$50
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$15 · Mid US$30 · High US$60
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HRE Harare International (About 4 h drive; no direct bus — check) · BIP Mutare (About 3 h by bus or combi from Mutare; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chimanimani: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
15 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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 & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 3 h
Local bus or combi, about 3 h
Mutare is the nearest city with more services and the gateway to the Eastern Highlands.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few lodges within walking distance of the park entrance and the falls.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $15–25 excl. bed
- Mid
- $25–50 excl. bed
- High
- $50+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (lodge)1 × 2 nights × US$25 | US$50 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$30 | US$120 |
| Park entry fee (per person per day)2 × US$10 | US$20 |
| Bus Mutare–Chimanimani (one way)2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$20 |
| Trip total≈ US$55 per person per day, bed included | US$220 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Park entry (per person per day) | $10 |
| Bus Mutare–Chimanimani (one way)check | $5 |
| Dorm bed | $10 |
| Double room (lodge) | $15–50 |
| Camping (own tent) | $5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The park gate closes at 18:00; start your hike early to have enough time.The park gate closes at 6:00 PM; 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 995
- Ambulance
- 994
- Fire
- 993
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChimanimaniChimanimani
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kune iyi adiresi, ndapotaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police995
- Ambulance994
- Fire993
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Mutare → Chimanimani: about $5, about 3 h (check)
- Park entry fee: $10 per person per day
Say or show
- Mhoro — Hello (mho-ro)
- Ndatenda — Thank you (n-da-ten-da)
- Imarii? — How much is it? (ee-ma-ree)
- Ndeipi nzira yekupinda paki? — Where is the park entrance? (n-day-pee n-zee-ra ye-ku-pin-da pa-kee)
- Ndinoda chiremba — I need a doctor (n-dee-no-da chi-rem-ba)
Cash only in Chimanimani; no ATMs. Bring US dollars.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chimanimani. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, trails may be slippery) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Chimanimani National Park and Bridal Veil Falls with opening hours, fees and trail conditions.
- Eat pages for the lodges that serve meals (Heaven Mountain Lodge, Farm House).
- Transport page for the bus/combis from Mutare with departure times and fares.
Sources
Ask about Chimanimani
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