Online Reporter
Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent
MANICALAND, with its cool, mountain air and rich ecological and cultural heritage, is fast becoming one of Zimbabwe’s most dynamic tourist destinations.
Once seen as a quiet retreat tucked away in the Eastern Highlands, the province has recently made headlines for all the right reasons.
According to the 2024 Tourism Trends and Statistics Report released by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the province recorded a remarkable 28 percent surge in national park entries, climbing from
58 853 in 2023 to 75 464 in 2024.
This growth has positioned Manicaland among the top five most visited national park regions in the country, outpacing traditionally more publicised regions like Gonarezhou and Hwange.
This shift in numbers is more than just statistical.
It signals a broader transformation in Zimbabwe’s domestic and regional tourism patterns.
While the Victoria Falls Rainforest remained Zimbabwe’s top tourist magnet with 604 778 entries in 2024 and Zambezi, Chinhoyi, and Matobo hold their traditional places in the tourism hierarchy, Manicaland is carving out its niche. Unlike single-park destinations, Manicaland’s strength lies in its diversity.
Its growing numbers are spread across multiple attractions—Nyanga National Park, Vumba Botanical Reserves, Chimanimani National Park, and Osborne Dam—each with unique offerings that together make
the province a complete tourism circuit.
Nyanga, the jewel of the Eastern Highlands, offers a blend of rugged highlands, cool climate, and ancient ruins.
From climbing Nyanga Mountain, Zimbabwe’s highest peak, to visiting the mysterious stone forts and pit structures believed to be remnants of early civilization, the park offers a layered experience that appeals to both adventure seekers and cultural explorers.
The Vumba, not far from Mutare, is a lush paradise of misty forests, rare orchids, and romantic trails, while Chimanimani boasts UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status and draws eco-tourists, hikers, and pilgrims to its sacred peaks and pristine wilderness.
Osborne Dam adds to the mix with its calm waters ideal for angling, boating, and family picnics, further widening the region’s appeal.
This spike in visitor numbers cannot be looked at in isolation.
Forbes Border Post — Manicaland’s largest international entry point recorded 145 077 arrivals in 2024, a dramatic leap from previous years.
This border contribution represents about nine percent of the national total of 1 613 901 tourist entries.
It is a significant portion for a single land-based post and shows just how strategically placed Manicaland is in regional tourism flows, particularly with Mozambique.
The increased accessibility through road infrastructure upgrades from Mutare to Nyanga and Chimanimani has also made previously remote areas more attractive to both domestic and international travellers.
As the tourism influx has risen, so too has hotel occupancy.
Mutare and the Vumba region saw an increase from 37 percent occupancy in 2023 to 42 percent in 2024.
Nyanga’s occupancy rose from 45 percent to 47 percent. These figures, modest at first glance, represent meaningful growth in a sector where percentage points can translate into millions in revenue and jobs.
Hospitality providers have reported improved demand for weekend getaways, conferencing facilities, and boutique experiences, suggesting that Manicaland is successfully attracting a mix of leisure, heritage, and business tourists.
This upward trajectory offers vast opportunities for investors and policymakers. For investors, the growing tourism interest makes Manicaland a compelling site for developing eco-lodges, mid-range hotels, heritage trails, adventure sports facilities, and wellness tourism hubs.
The cool climate, abundant water bodies, and scenic landscapes make the region ideal for year-round visitation, reducing seasonal risks and improving return on investment.
For policymakers, the numbers suggest a need to deepen support for destination branding, streamline access infrastructure, and invest in capacity-building within communities that serve tourists. Community-based
tourism is already showing promise in areas like Chimanimani, where local guides, homestays, and craft markets provide both authentic experiences for visitors and income for locals.
If nurtured carefully, these models can enhance sustainability while preserving the cultural and ecological integrity of the parks.
Nationally, Manicaland’s performance matters. It helps decentralise tourism flows from the overloaded Victoria Falls-Hwange corridor and distributes economic benefits across the country.
It also aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader economic ambitions anchored on devolution and inclusive development by positioning the Eastern Highlands as a viable growth node.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife now have a real opportunity to capitalise on this momentum through targeted promotional campaigns and incentives for park
infrastructure and private sector participation.
Still, challenges remain. Manicaland’s parks need improved signage, modern interpretive centres, and better packaging as tourism products.
International visibility is still limited; few overseas tour operators feature Nyanga or Vumba in their mainstream itineraries.
Yet, it is precisely this “under-discovery” that gives the region its untapped potential.
For tourists tired of the over-commercialised trails, Manicaland offers something quieter, cooler, and deeply rewarding.
The time has come to see Manicaland, not as a side trip, but as a core destination.
Whether it is hiking the sacred peaks of Chimanimani, fishing in the highland rivers of Nyanga, or simply enjoying the sunrise over the Vumba, this province is no longer content to linger in the shadows of its
more famous siblings. It is stepping into the spotlight — with data, demand and natural beauty to back it up.
