VUMBA BOTANICAL GARDENS: WHERE ZIMBABWE’S BEAUTY BLOOMS IN THE MIST

Hidden deep within Zimbabwe’s picturesque Eastern Highlands, just 32 kilometres from Mutare, lies one of the nation’s most peaceful and magical escapes: the Vumba Botanical Gardens. This 159-hectare botanical paradise, also known locally as Bvumba (meaning ‘mist’), is surrounded by cool, misty mountains and is a haven for biodiversity, attracting both nature lovers and explorers.

The well-wooded Park features 159 hectares of meticulously landscaped gardens built around perennial streams that form a small lake. Visitors can leisurely wander along sheltered walks among stately indigenous tree ferns and azaleas, encountering strategically positioned flower beds filled with a superb collection of ferns, orchids, hydrangeas, proteas, and azaleas that provide colour throughout the year.

Vumba offers more than just flora; it is a rich wildlife sanctuary. Visitors frequently spot wildlife, including the rare blue duiker and large numbers of Samango monkeys, which are endemic to the Eastern Highlands. The area is also a renowned destination for birdwatchers, with numerous species recorded along the network of footpaths that crisscross the Botanical Reserve.

Managed by the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), Vumba provides excellent facilities for extended stays. Options include self-catering lodges (such as the two-bedroom Hydrangea and Azalea lodges), as well as dedicated camping and caravan sites with communal ablution facilities and beautiful panoramic views. Whether visitors seek inspiration for photography, a quiet picnic spot, or peace connected to nature, the Vumba Botanical Gardens—where Zimbabwe’s beauty truly blooms in the mist—is a must-see gem that never disappoints.