CHIMANIMANI’S TESSA’S POOL BECKONS ADVENTURE SEEKERS AND NATURE LOVERS

Long before it became a fixture on Zimbabwe’s tourism trail, Tessa’s Pool was simply a quiet spot where a mother brought her infant daughter to cool off beside a waterfall — a private moment that, decades later, has grown into one of the Eastern Highlands’ most treasured natural attractions.

The pool sits at the end of a series of cascades on the Hadange River, within the grounds of Outward Bound Zimbabwe, and takes the form of a thirty-metre-high waterfall feeding a pool some twenty-five metres in circumference at its base, complete with palm trees and a rocky beach. Its name traces back to the 1950s, when John Ball was building the Chimanimani mountain hut in his spare time, and his wife Lucy would often bring their baby daughter, Tessa, to the refreshing waterfalls and pools at what is now Outward Bound.

Tessa’s Pool ranks among Chimanimani’s most valued tourism assets, alongside sites such as the Nyakwaha and Haroni Botanical Reserves, the Muhowa and Mukurupiri waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls, the Eland Sanctuary, Mount Binga and the wider Chimanimani National Park. Visitors are advised to seek permission before visiting, given that the area falls under the management of Outward Bound. The Chimanimani Tourist Association office in the village can assist with enquiries where the school’s status affects access.

Beyond swimming in its clear waters, the site draws travellers for nature walks and hiking, photography, picnics, relaxation and general sightseeing, set against a backdrop of the Chimanimani range’s dramatic peaks. The surrounding area is characterised by rocky Brachystegia woodland, with sandy, quartzite-influenced soils supporting plant species typical of the region’s distinctive geology.

Access to Tessa’s Pool is straightforward relative to much of the wider Chimanimani National Park, which beyond its base camp is reachable only on foot. Small vehicles can travel as far as the park’s entry point, from where a scenic walk leads visitors to the pool itself, making it a comparatively accessible option for those without the time or inclination for a multi-day hike into the mountains. Standard national park entry fees apply for access, though visitors are advised that these are subject to change and should be confirmed in advance of travel.

Conservationists and visitors alike continue to urge that all rubbish be carried out after a visit, reflecting a broader effort to preserve the pristine character of a destination that remains, for many, one of the most rewarding short excursions within Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands.