adminFreedom Mupanedemo
While still exploring the expansive Nyanga National Park, savouring the beauty of the rolling moorlands, cascading valleys and steep terrain that came with the occasional sighting of water bucks, kudus, zebras, impalas, wildebeast, among other plains game, we approached a signpost displaying directions to Nyangombe Falls.
We were right in the heart of Nyanga National Park, itself a scenic gem. With altitudes of between 18 00 and 2 593 metres, garden-fresh air wafted through, caressing our cheeks, we are just beginning to feel the tender love of nature.
Together with my colleagues, we vowed that our romance with the Eastern Highlands without making a date with Nyangombe Falls would be incomplete. We also agreed that even the hiking to the highest point of 2 593m on the famous Nyangani Mountain, seeing the breath taking view of Pungwe and its environs, and visiting the pit structures would be surely not enough if we did not visit Nyangombe Falls.
Obligingly, our car, a Toyota sedan responded to the increase in pressure on the accelerator and trolled off on the bumpy road aptly suitable for 4×4 vehicles, at times lurching and jerking as the going got tough.
We arrived at a car park that’s just a kilometre from the falls down the Nyangombe River and parked our vehicle there.
From this elevated position, the glittering waters flowing along the Nyangombe River looked fatigued as they negotiated the undulating and sloping terrain before pouring into the flooded creek.
From the distance, we could hear the thunder of the waters as they plunged into a pool, emitting films of smokes that filtered through tree branches.
Expectantly, we negotiated the descent, at times precariously finding grip on smooth bald boulders, forever embossed by feet of tourists flocking this natural wonder.
The noise from the plunging waters reached a crescendo as we drew nearer and nearer to the falls.
Finally, we were there and wow, Nyangombe Falls stared at us!
Volumes and volumes of frothing waters negotiated their way through caked grey staircases and rocks before plunging from the least 18 or so metres into a pool.
Breathtaking!
The resultant din of the falling waters was ear-pocking, with harsh waters looking as if they were pouring into a boiling furnace, only for the soothing atmosphere and fresh water scent to quickly allay any fears of being scalded.
Upon touching the ground, the falling waters splash generate a fine spray that nurses vegetation on a considerable piece of land around the falls.
You have to put on a jacket or find an umbrella to avoid being soaked.
The Nyangombe Falls are surely awesome, they are a natural wonder exuding an impressive look with the volumes and volumes of water falling off the cliff into a pool of thick milky waters.
As the waters continue with their journey after the plunge, the pool becomes shallower, showing crispy clear water.
The falls are protected by the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
A rusty barbed wire fence was erected to delineate where visitors should end but most tourists, lured by the beauty of the falls tend to trespass, getting into the pool to swim.
The water in the pool is always chilly cold but many choose to swim before they find a flat rock to lie on, basking in the warm heat of the sun.
Surely Nyangombe Falls are a true beauty, a hidden gem.
But interestingly, this gem is not frequented by tourists alone, even baboons have found the place so soothing and touristry.
It appears these apes are now so used to tourists visiting the falls that they no longer view people as a threat but as more civilised brothers from the other world.
They actually welcome visitors to the falls, keeping a short but safe distance as they mingle around with tourists exploring falls.
Also, the thicket that borders the falls and the winding Nyangombe River is home to a variety of bird species.
So birders visiting the Nyangombe Falls are in for an double treat, while enjoying the beauty of the falls.
A trip to Nyanga without extending to the Nyangombe Falls is for sure an incomplete trip! — Zimtravel.
Online Reporter