Location: Mutare
Top Things to do in Mutare
Top Restaurants in Mutare
Top 6 Things to do in Mutare, Zimbabwe
Mutare (known as Umtali until 1983) is the fourth largest city in Zimbabwe, with an urban population of approximately 188,243 and rural population of approximately 260,567. It is the capital of Manicaland province.
Restaurants in Mutare
1. Leopard Rock Golf and Country Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Leopard Rock Hotel has an 18 Hole, Par 71, Peter Matkovich Designed Championship Golf Course! Our golf course is regarded as one of the most picturesque in the world and has been judged one of the Top Ten in Africa.
Reviewed By Wendy S
We recently visited Leopard Rock Hotel and were very impressed with their beautiful, well manicured Gardens, golf course and interior. From the moment you arrive the staff are friendly, warm and welcoming, efficient and helpful. Perfect for families, couples, business or leisure. The Hotel itself is absolutely stunning, perfectly spotless and stunning all round. I was captivated by their magnificent foyer/reception area, from the gorgeous layout to the ceiling high windows, allowing you to take in the landscape while you're inside! We only popped in for a coffee but we'll most certainly be going back to stay in this exquisite hotel! well done!
2. Prince of Wales View
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By P5049LOgeorget - Mutare, Zimbabwe
Standing on Prince of Wales you can see the Mozambican side from Zimbabwe. The view of the valley is breath taking and you lose count of time as you stand there. it is refreshing such that you may pass through the place more than once. beside the place is free and there are a few gentlemen carve very good art.
3. Vumba Botanical Gardens and Reserve
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Kufunda - Harare, Zimbabwe
Entry price of $3 per adult, gave us a whole hour and more to tour the Gardens. The place was virtually deserted and we came across one other family. We decided to take the scenic drive first, when we saw some monkeys, before parking to take pictures and walk around the well kept area by the large lake which was being replenished from what appeared to be small streams from the hills. There are benches placed strategically around the lake where we could rest and appreciate beauty at leisure. Some parts of the Gardens were deliberately unkept in contrast to the manicured lawns and bushes.
A hidden gem which unfortunately is not being visited as often as it should. The tea room was closed, not sure whether this is seasonal or for good.
4. Bvumba Mountains and Mutare Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
The stunning Eastern Highlands and the city of Mutare in Zimbabwe. Depending on your interests, I can take you hiking, go on a forest walk, see Waterfalls, live music/clubbing/bars and a lot more. Take pleasure in the special guide: it’s not a guide but also a friend.
Reviewed By GoranWembley
Bvumba (pronounced 'Vumba') is an area of natural beauty some 30 kms away from Mutare. It's a nice intro for those who can spare only one day in Eastern Highlands. The views, providing there's no mist, are wonderful.
I did Bvumba on a day trip from Mutare. Would recommend staying at least one night if possible. Hivu (pronounced: high view) should be a reasonably good priced accommodation up there.
The shared taxis (passenger car, not minibus) depart when super full (2 front and 4 back passengers) from behind the market stalls at E Avenue (Cul de Sac opposite that blue Methodist church building on the main road) for USD3 per pax. It took 10 mins to fill up and then it took maybe 45 mins to reach Bvumba.
I asked to be dropped as close as possible to Leopard Rock Hotel as I was hoping to be able to admire some nice views from their golf course. You see, my LP guidebook mentions Hole 17 as a wonderful place to admire the views stretching into Mozambique. They should have encouraged really the trek to Leopard Rock itself. Never mind. This just suggest that no one from LP climbed the rock but played golf instead.
The hotel staff told me that it wasn't possible to go to the golf course as some people were playing there, maybe at some later stage in the day. Fine. They told me they can offer this Forest Walk for USD10 which I signed up for. The walk was nothing special, I mean, nothing that haven't experienced before, I asked for the longer hiking option btw. They also included the visit to the castle part of the hotel when we were done with the forest bit. That was great with some nice views of the area. However, the best bit about this walk was the info on how to trek up Leopard Rock which I received from Newton, my guide. So after wondering in the forest around the hotel I went up Leopard Rock.
To climb up to Leopard Rock from the hotel grounds I had to go back to the junction (2km) then left uphill for another 1.5km. It's there where the steep section ends and the road kind of flattens. I passed the km 29 marker and arrived at the rest/lay-by widened asphalted section of the road. This lay-by is on the left when approaching from the hotel (direction Mutare). There was this electricity post/pylon which looks like the elongated #, like hashtag on stilts. It bears the black metal plate behind with U38 and S138 inscribed on it. This metal plate is about to fall off so no worries if it's not there any longer. The trailhead starts right behind the electricity pylon and it takes only 15 mins to get to the top of Leopard Rock. The views are spectacular mist permitting.
To get to Leopard Rock on a shared taxi from Mutare without having to visit Leopard Rock hotel first should be easy. It will be pointless to ask the driver to drop you off at the trailhead to Leopard Rock as 'Leopard Rock' to them is synonymous with the hotel underneath. I'd pay attention when passing by the following (all to your left) in this particular order: km 27 marker, junction with Bvumba Botanical Gardens, km 28 marker ('28' barely visible) then the lay-by widening (and the hashtag pylon) will appear on the right maybe 150-200m from the km 28 marker. If the road starts suddenly descending too steep this means that the trailhead has been missed; ask the driver to let you out and go back. Then (copied from above): There was this electricity post/pylon which looks like prolonged #, like hashtag on stilts. It bears the black metal plate behind with U38 and S138 inscribed on it. This metal plate is about to fall off so no worries if it's not there any longer. The trailhead starts right behind the electricity pylon and it takes only 15 mins to get to the top of Leopard Rock. The views are spectacular mist permitting.
I went to wait for my back to Mutare transportation down to the junction with the road leading to botanical Gardens. This is maybe 600m from the # pylon at lay-by. Women there sell beautifully embroidered tablecloths for USD10 and aprons for USD5. I had to wait for 30 mins for the taxi and the ride back to Mutare took no longer than 30 mins.
5. Mutare Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By StewnFafy K
The last time i was at the museum was in the early 90's wi went for a school trip, still the same place, great piece of history, i always love going there, i love the hut with the man seated outside of it ,Staff were very nice
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Carl A - Harare, Zimbabwe
After a busy morning I strolled through the gates and met with the unique architecture of the church. A nice calm and shady atmosphere at the back if the church is busy.
