Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
RIVERS can be peaceful and serene.
Spending time near canals and rivers is associated with better mental wellbeing.
It can lower stress, decrease anxiety and relieve depression.
One may be ruminating over the past or being anxious of the future, but visiting water bodies, take a deep breath, marvel at the flowing waters, nearby towering mountains and sometimes soaking one’s feet in the not-so-deep waters may be gratifying as it allows your muscles to relax and eases the pain in your joints, helping you to exercise.
Being nearby those big rivers with a roaring sound of water flow makes someone feel small, wild and free. The solitude it brings allows curiosity and creativity to thrive.
Manicaland is one such province or rather tourism destination with a lot of rivers that may provide such hydrotherapy as well as stunning scenery without facing accessibility challenges, particularly road network.
Some of them offer activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking as well as picnicking.
Taking a drive and have a date with the soothing waters at these rivers may be an unforgettable experience, especially during the impending festive season.
Gairezi River
Gairezi River begins on the slopes of Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Nyanga Mountain situated in Nyanga.
As it winds its way north from the Eastern Highlands, and for more than 60 kilometres, it subsequently forms the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique before joining Mazowe and Zambezi Rivers — as well as the Luenha River, a tributary of Zambezi — at approximately 160 kilometres upstream. Visiting the site is quite a worthwhile experience.
It is one of the finest fly-fishing rivers in Africa and great picnic outing is a fantastic community run conservation area (campfire).
Activities such as kayaking and watercourse trout fishing can also provide a fulfilling experience.
The river has clear waters and it is safe to swim in.
Save River
The river’s proper name is Mutsave or Save, and it has played a major role in the history of the area.
The Savé Valley is noted for its relentless heat and the majesty of its baobab trees.
It is Zimbabwe’s largest internal river and rises south west of Marondera.
Save River was the route for the transportation of gold from the interior centred on Great Zimbabwe to the Indian Ocean Port Town of Sofala, in Mozambique.
At the Mozambique border, it is joined by Runde River, then crossing Mozambique to flow into the Indian Ocean.
Cat wheels and sporting activities are now common features in the river sands.
With Save River flowing below it as it meanders to the Indian Ocean, the view from Birchenough Bridge creates memories that can be cherished for a lifetime.
In November last year, thousands thronged Birchenough Bridge for the Save Beach jamboree where sporting and entertainment events were held.
Pungwe River
Pungwe River is a 400km long river in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It rises below Nyanga Mountain in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and then flows southeastwards through Manica and Sofala provinces of Mozambique.
Pungwe River enters Urema Valley, the southernmost portion of the Great Rift Valley, where it forms the southern boundary of Gorongosa National Park. Urema River joins it, and the river follows the rift valley southward.
Large seasonal wetlands form around Pungwe and Urema rivers in the rift valley section.
It empties into the Mozambique channel at Beira, forming a large estuary.
It is one of the major rivers of Mozambique and often causes floods.
Administratively, the Pungwe Basin covers parts of Sofala and Manica provinces in Mozambique, and a large part of Mutasa District in Zimbabwe.
Honde River
Honde River is in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe which runs through Honde Valley.
It flows from Nyanga Mountain on the western edges of Honde Valley where it is joined by several of its major tributaries, Mupenga, Buu, Mtarazi and Ngarura rivers.
Honde River forms part of the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border before flowing into Pungwe River which finally empties into the Indian Ocean at Beira.
Mwerihari River
Marovanyati Dam is located on Mwerihari River, a perennial stream with an annual flow of 182 million litres.
The dam provides sufficient water to ameliorate industrial and agricultural development in the district and has the potential to transform the lives of the agricultural communities that live along its banks.
Very good place to enjoy fishing, no dangerous animals very good natural dam views and mountains.
Among other reviews, this is what a visitor, Mr Freeman Njanina, had to say upon visiting Marovanyati Dam: “A very good place to enjoy fishing, no dangerous animals, very good natural dam views and mountains.”
