Getting There and Away

Written by Andreas Keller, Tendai Moyo
10/08/2025
The Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, seen from the village of Chimanimani, Manicaland. The mountains form the border with Mozambique. The roofline in the centre is a small parade of shops - the centre of the village. Taken April 1995 on Fujifilm.
JackyR, Wikimedia Commons

The primary transport hubs for reaching Chimanimani are the capital city, Harare, and the city of Mutare, which serves as a key connecting point for onward travel to Chimanimani.

By Bus:

Buses from Harare often travel to Mutare, taking approximately 5 hours. From Mutare, minibuses are available from Sakuba bus terminal to Chimanimani, with a journey time of around 3.5 hours, costing approximately USD 50 (including a short minibus ride to the terminal from Mutare city center). While direct buses from Harare to Chimanimani may occasionally be available, their timetables and availability can vary, so it is advisable to confirm directly. A bus journey from Harare to Chimanimani, including transfers, can take approximately 7 hours and 16 minutes, with tickets starting from around $15.68.

By Car:

Driving from Harare to Chimanimani covers a distance of approximately 408 to 430 kilometers and can take between 5 to 8 hours. Car rental is an option from Harare. The roads to Chimanimani and within the area, particularly to Chimanimani National Park, are often unpaved and have potholes, making a vehicle with good ground clearance, such as a mini 4x4, a more suitable choice. The estimated cost for driving from Harare can range from $70 to $110.

By Air:

There are no direct commercial flights to Chimanimani. Visitors can consider flying into Chimoio, Mozambique, which has direct flights from Maputo, followed by road transfer. Charter flights can also be arranged to nearby airstrips, requiring subsequent road transport to Chimanimani.

Check out our other pages on Chimanimani

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