Darwendale recreational park is only 76 km west of Harare and it occupies a total area of 11200ha.Of this area, just less than three quarters is covered by the Lake Manyame water body.
Darwendale recreational park is only 76 km west of Harare and it occupies a total area of 11200ha.Of this area, just less than three quarters is covered by the Lake Manyame water body.
Darwendale recreational park is only 76 km west of Harare and it occupies a total area of 11200ha.Of this area, just less than three quarters is covered by the Lake Manyame water body. The park was officially opened in 1976 after the construction of a 2 meter dam. The Great Manyame Lake is a home to vast aquatic species like the Mozambique bream ,tiger fish and the hunyani salmon. Approximately 3100 ha of the park is reserved for smaller and less dangerous animals, mainly herbivores such as sable, kudu, water buck, bushpig, reed buck, common duiker, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, oribi and porcupine. The park sustains a variety of trees which gives the place a unique nature filled atmosphere.The tree species found in Darwendale include ;musasa ,munhondo ,mukarati, ficus, capensis, dicyrostachys, cinera, pseudolachnostlly,maprononeifolia,euphorbia ingens and diopyros.
The park has 2 self catering lodges overlooking the Great Lake .The lodges are located less than 2 km from the main entrance and have 2 bedrooms each. Each lodge has an open air braai point where visitors can catch the fresh water breeze rising from the sprawling lake.
The park has a communal camping site close to the boat launching point making it an ideal camping point for both fishing and water sport enthusiasts. There is an ablution block available for use by all campers.
The picnic sites are spread along the north-western shore of the lake. The beauty of the lake can be savored from the 10 rondavels at the picnic site. Each picnic rondavel has its own braai point.
The caravan sites are situated close to the camping sites and they both share the same ablution block.
| Conservation fees | |||||||
| Fee | Locals | SADC | International | ||||
| Daily conservation –day visitors | $3 | $8 | $10.00 | ||||
| Daily conservation-accommodated visitors | $1 | $3 | $4.00 | ||||
| Accommodation | |||||||
| Lodges (charged /unit/night) | $30 | $45 | $45 | ||||
| Camping(charged /person/night) | $5 | $9 | $9 | ||||
| Vehicle entry fees (paid once) | |||||||
| Saloon vehicles | $3 | $10 | $10 | ||||
| Touring activities | |||||||
| Fishing (per/person/day) | $5 | ||||||
| Picnicking (per group)6 people max | $5 | $9 | $9 | ||||
Visitors to Darwendale recreational park should get their supplies and fuel from Norton which is approximately 11 km from the park. The park does not have a convenience shop.
The park is accessible through Norton using the Robert Mugabe Highway. At approximately from Norton 23km, you turn right on to the Darwendale road. It is about 11 km from the main Robert Mugabe highway. Alternatively, visitors can also access the park from Lomagundi/ Chirundu road. Drive past Nkomo and Nyabira to Darwendale Growth point.3 km from the Growth point; you turn left into the road linking the Growth point and Robert Mugabe Highway. The road is well signposted to guide you to the park.
The best angling spot in the world and the perfect environment for your fishing tournament with a variety of fish species that include the tiger fish , babel, parrot fish, bulldog, spot tail, bass robusters and African mottled eel.
Explore the lake throughout the year with an assortment of water sporting activities that revitalise your body.
Take that walk in the park and meet the wild, blend with the thrilling game.
Enjoy watching and learning more about the birds of Africa at Darwendale recreational park.
That peaceful and calm environment for weekend picnics supported by a refreshing view of the lake. Life cannot be better than this!!
Food stuffs, toiletry, fishing gear, linen and utensils for campers only. Visitors may also need to bring a camera and binoculars as additional equipment for more enjoyable moments.
Email:
Telephone:
Reservationist +263 719 659 418
Tourism Manager +263 773 546 305
Inset from Zimpapers.
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority last week shot dead a hippopotamus that was damaging winter wheat in Nyanyadzi. The hippo, which had a calf, is believed to have escaped from Save Conservancy. ZPWMA ordered the shooting of the hippos after traditional leaders in the area reported that it was damaging crops and endangering lives. ZPWMA officer, Mr John Danfa, said they were still hunting for the calf which is believed to have found habitat along Save River. “Usually hippos move up and down rivers during the rainy season. We believe the two escaped from Save Valley Conservancy. They were both females and they do not usually click if there is no male.
“They are believed to have separated. We received reports from traditional leaders in Hot Springs and Nyanyadzi that these hippos were feeding on wheat and crops in their fields.” “People’s lives were endangered so the authorities ordered its killing. The first time we attempted to kill it, it was in the company of so many cattle and could not do anything.
Our officer teamed up with villagers to track it until last week when it was shot down in Nyanyadzi”. The officer is said to have fired 12 shots before the hippo died. The meat was shared by villagers. One of the villagers in Dirikwe village, Mr Tapiwa Munyati, said: “This hippo was becoming a threat to human lives in the area. It was being spotted near homes at night.
“There are vegetable gardens along one of Save River’s tributaries where it was being spotted.“We were told that hippos do not like light and the danger was that lives would have been lost.” “A villager survived death by a whisker recently when the hippo strayed into his homestead.“He went out of his house to investigate when his dogs were barking. He had a torch and the hippo advanced towards him. “Fortunately he managed to escape the attack and notified other villagers and the village head. We are appealing to the responsible authorities to make sure that the remaining one is also killed,” said Mr Munyati.