Mutare

The conveniently-located city of Mutare, sometimes referred to as ‘the Gateway to the Eastern Highlands’ is found in the foothills of the Eastern Highlands and stretches up the sides of Christmas Pass, a mere eight kilometres from the Mozambique border.

Previously named ‘Umtali’, it was founded in the late 19th century and is the provincial capital of the Manicaland Province and the third most populated city in Zimbabwe. Locals refer to it as ‘Kumakomoyo’ meaning ‘place of many mountains’ due to its location within the boundaries of a curved valley south of the Imbeza Valley and north of the Bvumba Mountains, which separate Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Originally established in 1890 as a fort at the confluence of the Samba and Umtara rivers, the city underwent two notable evolutions, having been relocated twice to be stationed on the railway between Salisbury (now Harare) and Beira in Mozambique. The railway eventually reached the town in 1898. Attaining city status in 1971, Mutare has become an important epicentre for trade with railway links, pipeline transport as well as main routes connecting the coast with the capital of Harare, and inland regions. The city is further supported by mainstream industries such as forestry, dairy and citrus farming, mining, horticulture and food production. Two of Zimbabwe’s largest food manufacturers, Cairns Foods and Tanganda Tea, operate in Mutare.

The drive into Mutare from the west, via the winding six kilometre Christmas Pass on the Harare / Mutare highway offers picturesque views of what is considered to be Zimbabwe’s cleanest city. For first-time visitors to the city and those interested in the history of the Manicaland Province, a visit to the Mutare Museum showcases its history through a series of interesting archaeological, ethnological, transport and natural history exhibits.

Further cultural attractions include the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, the Murahwa Hills rock paintings and Iron Age Village, as well as the Cross Kopje memorial cross, erected in remembrance of the African soldiers killed in WW1.

ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation in the area includes campsites, self-catering establishments, lodges, guesthouses and hotels.

Mutare Caravan Park in town offers camping accommodation, but at the time of our visit the ablutions were not functional. It is not possible to book, but at US$10 per person, it is one of the cheaper camping spots in Zimbabwe. We also loved the little piece of bushveld heaven called Musangano Lodge Campsite, about 30 km from the city centre just off the A3 direction Harare.

BANKING:
Standard Chartered, ZB Bank, CBZ Bank.

BIRDING:
Birders will have the opportunity to spot the Swynnerton’s Robin, endemic to the Eastern Highlands.

CLIMATE:
Due to the city’s sheltered location against the mountains the climate is temperate with average annual temperatures of 19°C. Rainfall season is December to February, though heavy downpours can occur before and after this period. Typically, the hottest month is February and the coldest July.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Police number listed is for Mutare Central Police. Police also available in Odzi, 10km away. Contact +263(0)20 202 223.
There are no embassy facilities here. Embassy number is for Mozambican Consulate.

FOOD:
Pick n Pay supermarket and OK supermarket stock most items.

GAS-REFILLS:
Are at most hardware stores and fuel stations.

HEALTHCARE:
Dr tel no is for Dr Mutarara T/A Maranatha clinic. Hospital contact is for Mutare Provincial Hospital.

RECOMMENDED READING:
If you are staying at Musangano, you may be interested in reading The Last Resort by Douglas Rogers, an account of how the owners coped with tumultuous political upheavals in Zimbabwe.

ROADS INFO:
The road network in and around the city is tarred and in reasonable condition but beware the increasing number of potholes! The main routes are the A3 highway which runs inland towards Harare, passing through Rusape and Marondera, and the A9 which runs southwards in the direction of the southern Eastern Highlands and Chimanimani. To the east the EN9 links Mutare to Chimoio in Mozambique, as well as that country’s coastal city of Beira, in its central region. This road is often dense with traffic due to it being one of Zimbabwe’s primary routes to the duty-free port of
Beira. Travellers can also expect a lot of cross-border traffic with visitors commuting to the cities of Chimoio and Manica.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
There is a small airport serving Mutare which caters for light aircraft and chartered flights only. Banks, ATMs, fuel stations, mechanical repair outlets, leading retailers (such as Spar, Pick ‘n Pay and OK), pharmacies and medical facilities are dotted throughout the city.

TOUR SERVICES:
Tour services in Mutare are available on request.

TOW-INS & MECHANICAL REPAIR:
Tow-In services added is for Road Angels Pvt Ltd.
Alternative Tow-ins: +263(0)78 057 9261 / +263(0)71 808 4297 / +263(0)73 652 3424 (DRIVE Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance).

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