Beautiful forests in Zimbabwe

Chirinda  Forest (picture by B. Wursten)

Now in the Chirinda area. An area of absolutely beautiful forest. I found it to be similar to the Bvumba forest, but the canopy is higher, the trees bigger and older. Coming from the border quite late in the day you can find a place to stay. You can see your maps the obscure marking, “Big Tree” and  a couple of signs saying the same. What  is this Big Tree ? Ah Yes, Its very enormous.The Chirinda Forest Reserve covers about 950 ha of primary evergreen forest on the slopes of Mt Selinda in SE Zimbabwe. It is one of the larger protected forest areas in the country with a unique combination of tropical and subtropical vegetation species. Most impressive are the towering specimens of forest trees, such as Chrysophyllum gorungosanum, Ficus chirindensis, and the famous "Big Tree", Khaya anthotheca, Argomuellera macrophylla, Celtis mildbraedii, Strychnos mellodora and Strychnos mitis are among the rare species, whiare only found in the Chirinda Forest.

Mount Selinda (picture by B. Wursten)

Its flat and there is even a braai area, albiet somewhat overgrown, so we decide to camp there for the night. In the dying night we take a quick walk to find the fabled tree. It turns out to be a big tree, the legends are true. Its a huge tree reaching up above the canopy, with ancient roots spreading out into the underbush.

That night, trying to finish off some of the cans we’d inherited from the Morrungulo food, we dine on tinned asparagus and butter beans with tomato, served on water crackers. It goes down well. After dinner we sat in the dark and watched while hundreds of blinking fireflies layed trails of dashes in the forest around us.

Bvumba Forest (picture by B. Wursten)

In the morning after another walk in the forest you can head to the closest town, Chipinge, where we stop for a new tyre and some supplies, then we drive on to the next stage of our adventure, a hike in the Chimanimani mountains.The Bvumba Mountains, in the Eastern Highlands is overflowing with life all year round. The lush botanical gardens and luxuriant forests are fantastic for walks, espeically for those interested in botany and bird watching. The mountains offer some spectacular views over the highlands and tropical lowlands of Mozambique. With plenty of activities and accommodation to choose from, the mists of Bvumba mountains make it a great escape from the heat.