Honde Valley: Zimbabwe’s hidden tourism gem
DRIVING down the meandering Mahwemasimike and Gwiriri hills, one arrives in the most beautiful part of Zimbabwe — the enchanting Honde Valley.
The twists and turns of the long-winding tarred road, the evergreen environs, the ever-flowing rivers and a vibrant people are a marvel and therapy for a visitor willing to exit their comfort zone and embark on an exhilarating journey to the valley.
The valley which forms part of the Eastern Highlands is about 120km from Mutare and about 115km from Nyanga.
Exploring deep into the valley is a worthwhile experience.
The enchanting Honde Valley which is Zimbabwe’s most kept tourism secret caught the hearts of many across the globe after a recent visit to the place by the intrepid trio of the Grand Tour, consisting of the renowned Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
Their mission was to capture the essence of the awe-inspiring destination for an upcoming episode of their iconic motoring show.
The trio’s legendary exploits from their days on the acclaimed British motoring magazine and television programme, Top Gear, are familiar to many.
Therefore, a photograph recently surfaced, revealing the three adventurers sheltered beneath the sprawling canopy of the Flamboyant Tree, and it went viral.
The image confirmed that the three had indeed discovered the well-guarded secret of Zimbabwe’s tourism scene, the Honde Valley, affectionately known as “Pamufirimboyi.”
The Flamboyant Tree, perched atop a hill, serves as a symbolic beacon and a testament to the unique charm of this destination. The unique tree is a beloved attraction among tourists, drawing visitors from around the world.
Its distinctive umbrella-shaped canopy provides a therapeutic vista, and in the backdrop of this photograph, one can spot two majestic mountains.
The distant one, painted in serene shades of blue and veiled in a white-like mist, is the renowned Nyanga Mountain.
Then there is the Milimani, a mountain where the prized macadamia nuts flourish.
The trio stood facing a tea factory and the scenic Mapokana Hills, creating a captivating tableau of Zimbabwe’s natural beauty.
Clarkson and his team were spotted with a collection of vintage cars sporting foreign number plates, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their visit.
Clarkson later tweeted on X: “My profound thanks to the people and Government of Zimbabwe for helping to make a very special Grand Tour Special, very special. We absolutely adored everything about your country.”
Since Clarkson shared this photograph on Instagram, it set the digital world abuzz, making rounds on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
The fervour is testament to the enchantment of Manicaland’s tourism sites, particularly the hidden treasure that is Honde Valley.
In contrast to their previous episodes filmed in neighbouring countries like Namibia and South Africa, this daring expedition has prompted reflection.
Many in the virtual world now question whether Manicaland, and Honde Valley in particular, are receiving the global recognition they deserve as premier tourist destinations within the country.
Popular blogger, Youtuber and Dutch traveller, Noraly Shoenmaker, fondly known as ‘Itchy Boots’, who has become famous for riding motorcycles across the world, rode to the mystique Honde Valley in 2021 and shared her adventures on the social media.
“Arriving in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands started with gorgeous sunshine. Little did I know at this point in time that I would wake up in the mid
dle of the night because of a torrential downpour. Guess what that did to the trail when I had to leave the next day?” she said.
There are bountiful tourism sites in the picturesque Honde Valley.
The name is common and popular, but most people are not aware of the tourism sites dotted in the area and the serenity it provides.
Generally, the valley is heavily dissected by large and small streams.
The area has deep and ever-flowing rivers, with the most common one being Pungwe River.
The river flows from the Eastern Highlands into Mozambique and drains into the Indian Ocean. The river is a good spot for white water rafting, kaeking and fishing.
There is also Nyamhingura and Nyamukombe rivers which are home to natural pools that provide the muchneeded hydro-therapy.
Honde Valley is also home to thick and green vegetation that includes plantations. The valley is home to Nyamombe River (not Nyangombe), which has a beautiful waterfall called Nyamombe as well as Nyawamba waterfall.
For hiking enthusiasts who wish to embark on an exploratory trek in the woods, there is Dzunzwa Mountain which has an adrenaline rush hiking trail that is more than 50km.
There is also a Turaco hiking trail where activities such as the sky run are undertaken.
The area boasts of special birds such as moustached grass-warbler, red-winged warbler, black-winged bishop, red-faced crimson wing, silvery-cheeked hornbill, white-eared barbet, grey waxbill and blue-spotted wood-dove, among others.
It is one of the few areas in Zimbabwe
that draws tourists from regional countries such as South Africa and Namibia. They visit to have a date with some unique and rare species of birds. This is called bird touring.
Other assets include agriculture tourism in tea, banana and macadamia nuts plantations.
Prosper Kuwa, representing Shambazuva Tourism, the custodians of Honde Valley Sightings, a Destination Management Company (DMC), said the extensive marketing of Honde Valley as a tourism site as well as the visit by popular celebrities to the site has awakened a new-found curiosity in the world to explore the wonders of this hidden African gem.
“Honde Valley is best described as one of the best kept tourism secrets because even if people know that there is a place called Honde Valley, they are not aware of the tourism assets in the area. The assets include rivers, magnificent mountains, thick forests and waterfalls.
“The Flamboyant Tree, for instance, is famous among tourists, especially international ones. The tree has majestically stood there for years and it can be seen from various angles as it is situated on top of a hill. Our post on X (formerly Twitter) appreciating Clarkson and his team’s presence generated interest for obvious reasons.
“When you visit Honde Valley, you are coming to a destination that gives you a completely new feel and experience of the best that Zimbabwe has to offer.
“Honde Valley is one of the premier birding destinations in Zimbabwe and offers a wide range of species not available in most parts
of the region, other than in neighbouring Mozambique. The valley is very fertile and it is one of the major tea producing areas in Zimbabwe,” said Kuwa.