Online Reporter
Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent
THERE are some journeys where the destination is only half the story.
Then there are those unexpected detours that turn an ordinary weekend outing into an adventure worth writing home about.
For travellers driving between Harare and Mutare, Nyathi Eco Game Park in Makoni District offers precisely that kind of detour.
Situated just a few kilometres off the highway along a well-maintained dirt road, Nyathi is one of those places that can easily be overlooked by motorists rushing between Zimbabwe’s two major cities.
But turn off the highway and the landscape quickly changes. The noise and movement of the main road give way to a more tranquil environment where wildlife, water and the outdoors take centre stage.
I discovered this recently during a weekend outing with friends and what initially seemed like a simple getaway turned into an unexpectedly adventurous experience.
The game drive is undoubtedly one of the park’s major attractions. Visitors have the opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife, including giraffes, eland, impala, wildebeest and baboons.
Watching a giraffe emerge against the natural landscape or spotting a herd of impala moving through the bush provides the kind of simple pleasure that reminds you why wildlife tourism remains such an important part of Zimbabwe’s tourism offering.
But Nyathi is not only for those who prefer to admire wildlife from a safe distance. For the more adventurous visitor, there are opportunities to encounter some of the park’s more intimidating residents, including large pythons. And for those with an appetite for serious adrenaline, walking with lions takes the wildlife experience to an entirely different level.
It is the sort of activity that makes you appreciate the difference between watching wildlife on a screen and finding yourself close enough to feel its presence. The park also has a water-based dimension. When water levels permit, visitors can take to the water on speedboats, canoes and kayaks, offering another way to experience the surroundings. The availability of these activities naturally depends on seasonal water conditions, but when they are operating, they add a welcome element of adventure to the experience.
After a day of wildlife and outdoor activities, there is little that beats a good Zimbabwean meal. Our lunch was suitably local and hearty, sadza accompanied by braaied pork and chicken. It was uncomplicated food, but exactly the kind of meal that feels right after spending hours outdoors.
For those wishing to stay longer, Nyathi also offers accommodation in lodges designed with an African-inspired architectural character. We unfortunately did not spend the night on this particular visit, but the lodges provide an option for visitors who want to turn a day trip into a weekend escape.
What may ultimately be one of Nyathi’s strongest attractions is accessibility. You do not need to plan an elaborate safari expedition or spend hours travelling deep into the countryside. The park is conveniently located a short distance from one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways, making it a potentially attractive stop for families, groups of friends, tourists and motorists looking for something different along the Harare–Mutare route.
For travellers accustomed to treating the Harare–Mutare highway merely as a route to somewhere else, Nyathi provides a good reason to slow down. Sometimes, the most interesting part of the journey is the place you almost drove past.
