Unveiling the magnificent Cecil Kop Nature Reserve

Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
NESTLED in the picturesque and scenic Eastern Highlands is a spacious and majestic site – Cecil Kop Nature Reserve.
Located just three kilometres from Mutare city lies the beautiful recreational facility that has become a preferred relaxing site for local, regional tourists, especially nature enthusiasts.
The site is a sanctuary for wildlife lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This animal park invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature, offering a unique opportunity to observe various species in their natural habitats. The serene environment is perfect for leisurely strolls, photography, and simply soaking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
The 1 500-hectare wildlife reserve consists of three distinct areas, the Tiger’s Kloof, the forested north eastern mountain face with numerous springs rolling down to the dam and surrounding Msasa woodland; Thomson’s Vlei with its undulating grasslands and the Wilderness Area of heavily wooded forest, gullies and springs.
On a good and lucky day, a visitor may have a spectacular glimpse of wild animals such as giraffes and a crocodile in Tiger Kloof Dam, kudu, vervet and samango monkeys and baboons.
Like so many of Zimbabwe’s less well-known attractions, visitor numbers are severely reduced due to lack of positive news about the country and this has a direct impact on the revenues of each site.
A visitor pays a small fee to enter into the site for no specified time. The site has become popular for picnics and birthday events, while others choose the place to play sporting games such as chess and darts.
Although it is not recommended for visitors to climb up the nearby mountain, other daring visitors climb up to its apex to have a panoramic view of the site, especially the dam.
As one explores the reserve, they will encounter a rich diversity of plant life and potentially spot local wildlife, making it a great destination for birdwatchers and nature photographers.
The well-maintained trails guide you through the lush greenery, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Whether one is looking to have a quiet picnic or engage in a more adventurous day of hiking, Cecil Kop Nature Reserve caters for a wide range of outdoor activities.
The rolling granite topped hillsides covered in Miombo woodlands and valleys filled with dense forest patches attract a host of bird species that makes the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe one of the best birding locations in the country.
Among those spotted are Gurney’s sugarbirds, grey waxbills, spotted creepers, miombo tits, miombo double-collared sunbirds and augur buzzards high overhead.
Other birds such as the White browed robin chat, African Pied wagtail, Miombo Double collard sunbird, African yellow white eye, Jameson’s fire finch, Yellow bellied waxbill, Streaky headed canary and many others provide soothing music.
Veteran hotelier and tourism consultant, Mr Willard Madhombiro said although the place is scenic, there is need to make the popular more attractive.
“Cecil Kop is vital tourism resource in Manicaland. During the festive season, among other days, locals jostle to have a glimpse of the place. It is the space and lush green plants and flowers that attract many. Of late, we have seen the growth of domestic tourism market due to ZimBho campaigns being spearheaded by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality. Now we are concerned how a comprehensive itinerary can be crafted excluding the popular Cecil Kop which is no longer so attractive because of lack of wild animals that used to roam around the area, even crocodiles and other animals that used to use the dam as its habitat. It is a cause for concern for us as tourism stakeholders in Manicaland, we must put our hands together, we continue to lobby Government and other stakeholders to make this place a tourism wonder again,” he said.