Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE MUTASA
Since long before colonial boundaries were drawn, the people of Penha Longa have been loyal to the
mutasa,
the
dynastic title of the ruler of the kingdom of Manica, who controls the area from present-day Mutare (Zimbabwe).
Despite a divisive 1891 Anglo-Portuguese treaty that put western Penha Longa under British control, and the east-
ern part under Portuguese control, cross-border ties remain strong.
Chimanimani Mountains
Silhouetted against the horizon on the Zimbabwe border southwest of Chimoio are the
Chimanimani Mountains, with Mt Binga (2436m), Mozambique's highest peak, rising up
on their eastern edge. The mountains are beautiful and exceptionally biodiverse, with ve-
getation ranging from lowland tropical forests and
miombo
woodland to evergreen forests
and afro-alpine grasslands on the highest reaches. Much of the range is encompassed by
the
Chimanimani National Reserve
(Reserva Nacional de Chimanimani;
www.actf.gov.mz
;
adult/child/vehicle Mtc200/50/200)
, which is part of the larger Chi-
manimani Transfrontier Conservation Area (ACTF), together with Chimanimani National
Park in Zimbabwe.
Chimanimani is notable for its abundance of rare plants, with at least 90 species whose
range is restricted to the Chimanimani area alone. Many are prized by traditional healers
for their medicinal value. There is also a multitude of birds, including the rare southern
banded snake eagle, Chirinda apalis and the barred cuckoo. Rounding out the picture are
bushbuck, eland, sable, duiker, klipspringer and countless smaller animals.
Like the Penha Longa area to the north, the Chimanimani Mountains have a long his-
tory and rich traditional life. Rock art estimated to be 2000 years old, but possibly as
much as 10,000 years old, has been found at several locations. Many of the rivers and
pools in this area are considered sacred by local communities, as are some of the forest
areas in the foothills of the mountains, and some of the peaks themselves.
Activities
It's possible to hike throughout the mountains, with plenty of suitable camping sites on the
high plateaus close to mountain streams. Mt Binga can be climbed in two days, with one
night spent on the mountain, but the highlands offer endless options for hikes of anything
from a day to a week or more.
