Nyanga

Nyanga is a town in Zimbabwe. At one time, the town was known as Inyanga. It is located in Nyanga District, Manicaland Province, in northeastern Zimbabwe, close to the International border with Mozambique. This location lies immediately north of Nyanga National Park in the Eastern Highlands, about 115 kilometres, by road, north of Mutare, the nearest large city. This location lies approximately 265 kilometres, by road, east of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe and the largest city in the country. Nyanga sits at an elevation of 5,509 feet (1,679 m), above sea level.

Mount Nyangani

Mount Nyangani, the highest mountain in Zimbabwe, lies about 20 kilometres, southeast of the town. Its highest peak rises to approximately 2,600 metres, above sea level. Nyanga is primarily a tourist town and is a popular tourist destination with its fishing, golf courses, mountain hikes and holiday resorts. The Mtarazi Falls, inside Nyanga National Park, are the highest waterfalls in the country, cascading about 760 metres, from top to bottom. The surrounding areas also contain many Stone Age and Iron Age archaeological remains such as pit structures, stone forts, terraces and pathways. Inside the town is the bustling township of Nyamhuka, around which there is an ever expanding growth of high and medium-density housing. Nyanga is also host to the largest army training camp in Zimbabwe, hosting recruits from across Africa.

The Nyanga region has long been regarded as a place of great natural beauty. In 1896, Cecil John Rhodes wrote to his agent: "Dear McDonald, Inyanga is much finer than you described.....Before it is all gone, buy me quickly up to 100,000 acres, and be sure to take in the Pungwe Falls. I would like to try sheep and apple growing." Rhodes displaced the inhabitants and the chieftainship of the wonderful place- the Sakarombes of the Lion-Zebra (Shumba-Nyambizi totem) who found refuge in the semi-arid areas of Nyanga in Ruwangwe. Nyanga has been made famous in Scotland by the Hamish Henderson song Freedom Come-All-Ye.

World's View, Nyanga

A visit to World's View in the Little Connemara lakes area of the Eastern Highlands mountain range above Troutbeck is a must for the visitor as it is the highest point in the country that can be driven to and has a breath-taking 270⁰ outlook from the toposcope.

The scenary has reminded many residents and visitors of the Scottish Highlands, particularly when the clouds are just scudding low overhead, or a mist hangs in the valleys.

There are a three small dams, or what would be lochs in Scotland, on Little Connemara, the largest of which is Lake Caree, and all are stocked with rainbow trout. Around fifty, or more cottages and houses have been built up here, with a few residents at home all year round. Some have well-developed gardens,

but the background scenery is made up of pine and wattle trees and areas of bare granite.

Plaques of black granite are imbedded in the stone work giving distances to around 30 cities, towns and well-known places in Africa. Rusape and it is claimed, Harare can be seen on clear days, but always up here the air is crisp and cool.

The site covering about 70 hectares is managed by the National Trust of Zimbabwe on the western edge of the Nyanga Downs plateau at an altitude of 2,000 metres and looks down on Nyanga village at about 600 metres. The grounds are well kept and fenced to keep out livestock, fire breaks have been cut and proteas planted and the area is lawned with picnic tables. Take your own food and refreshments as there are none available on site. In the immediate vicinity are two trout lakes surrounded by privately owned lodges.

There is a soap stone art gallery with hundreds of art sculptures. Meet the artists and negotiate the price before buying! The walk to the summit of World's View from the car park can be done by anybody who is reasonably fit within 30 minutes.

How to get here:

From Troutbeck: turn right onto the A14 tar road towards Nyanga village, 1.34 KM turn right onto gravel road marked Little Connemara Lakes heading to the left of Troutbeck Lake, 6.3 KM take the left road passing Tsanga Lodge, 7.6 KM take the right road, 8.7 KM reach World’s View car park. In wet weather this route requires 4WD as it gets very muddy and gullied by the heavy rainfall runoff.