Masvingo

Established in 1890, near the Mshangashe and Macheke rivers in south-central Zimbabwe, Masvingo is Zimbabwe’s oldest town, and the capital of Masvingo Province. Originally named Fort Victoria, after Queen Victoria, it was developed as a military camp for the early British settlers travelling to Salisbury (now Harare).

It was renamed ‘Nyanda’ in 1982, the name derived from the Nyanda Mountain situated some 10 kilometres south of the city. The name, meaning ‘one with lice’ in Shona was unsurprisingly not well received by the local community, leading to protest action. After a few short months the town was aptly renamed ‘Masvingo’, meaning ‘fort’, after the medieval walled fort of Great Zimbabwe, a major tourist attraction near the town.

Masvingo gained city status in 2002. It is largely residential and is supported by tourism, cattle, sugar cane, tobacco and fruit farming on its outskirts. Masvingo is reputedly the location where the first cricket match in Zimbabwe was played. Rather than stopping in Masvingo solely for the purpose of refueling and replenishing supplies, it will be worth your while to take time to explore some of the city’s colourful and historical attractions.

Apart from the well-known Mutirikwi Recreational Park, formerly known as Lake Kyle, there are a variety of tourist attractions within a 30 km radius of Masvingo. The awe-inspiring Great Zimbabwe Ruins are probably the most well known of these attractions.

One of Zimbabwe’s lesser-known sanctuaries, the Mushandike Sanctuary is situated 25 km from the town, on the
Bulawayo Road. The area covers approximately 13 360 hectares of Miombo woodland, open grasslands and several rocky ridges, making it the perfect playground for kudu, duiker, sable, klipspringer and blue wildebeest. It is also the abode of several herds of zebra, a community of leopards and many birdlife species.

The Mushandike Dam occupies 417 hectares of the area and is a popular location for picnicking, boating, and fishing. The sanctuary is best visited in the winter months when the Mopane trees foliage bursts into bright autumnal colours.

The Zimbabwe Institute of Wildlife Conservation (ZIWC) is located within the sanctuary and is owned by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks). ZIWC manages the sanctuary and is responsible for receiving entry fees and issuing fishing licenses. They can be contacted on +263(0)71 705 1411 / 406 and ziwc@zimparks.org.zw.

Built between 1942 and 1946 by Italian POWs in memory of their fallen compatriots, the Chapel of St Francis of Assisi (sometimes referred to as the Italian chapel) is adorned with intricate murals across its walls and ceiling. Though no longer offering regular services, the chapel is open to visitors and Sunday Mass is conducted on occasion.

The Old Fort National Monument, erected in 1891, lies in the centre of the town. It was constructed as one of a
sequence of bulwarks to stand guard over the route from Salisbury (now Harare) to the south.

Further places of interest include the old steam engine at the train station, the Queen Victoria Botanical Gardens, the vibrant Masvingo Craft Market, and the Rosselli Art Gallery. This last mentioned showcases the work of artist Wendy Rosselli, often portraying the warm contrasting landscapes of Zimbabwe.

ACCOMMODATION:
The majority of visitors to Masvingo are Zimbabweans, hence self-drive and self-catering accommodation have been maintained to a certain extent. Due to lower tourist numbers compared to other parts of the country, Masvingo lacks boutique and luxury accommodation.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Hospital contact is for Masvingo General Hospital. Doctors contact is for Dr Chirengwa.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
Masvingo offers all services and facilities one can expect from a city. There are a number of supermarkets (including Spar and Pick ‘n Pay), fuel stations, ATMs, medical services and vehicle repair centres throughout the city.

TOW-INS:
Motor sales: +263(0)39 226 2646. Alternative tow-in: +263(0)78 057 9261 / +263(0)71 808 4297 / +263(0)73 652 3424 (DRIVE Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance). Road Angels: +263(0)77 212 2122(For emergencies).

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