Nyala, kudu, eland, impala, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and ostrich on the grassland; samango monkeys and bushbuck in the forest; leopard by spoor only.
The reserve was created in 2000 with John Travers and Ian du Preez of Imire, on 650 acres that had gone to wattle, bugweed and lantana. The gums were milled in Mutare and creosoted for the fencing; the first nyala and zebra went into a ninety-acre enclosure in 2001; kudu, eland, impala and wildebeest followed. It has grown since to cover the greater part of the escarpment below the course.
Some 250 species of bird have been recorded on the estate, among them crowned eagle, Narina trogon, Livingstone's turaco, Swynnerton's and starred robins, gorgeous bushshrike and silvery-cheeked hornbill. The Bvumba is one of the best birding areas in southern Africa and the hotel grounds are a fair place to start.
Refreshments and canapés from the chef on the rustic viewing platform, three metres up and facing west, while the animals come in below. The other sundowner is at the Castle.
The self-drive route takes about an hour and needs a 4x4; the charge is per vehicle. Guided game walks and forest walks are charged per person per hour, with a lower rate for children.
The Enchanted Forest hike, birding walks, and the estate tour from 8 am to 4 pm, whose proceeds go entirely to the Vumba Botanical Gardens. Day visitors who are not using another service pay a small entry charge for the grounds, likewise donated to the Gardens. Picnicking is not permitted on the estate.
Golf, tennis and cardio tennis, squash, table tennis, pool and snooker, a swimming pool, archery in the holidays, and the walks above. Horse riding is not offered on the estate; it can be arranged through HIVU in the Vumba, a few kilometres down the road.
Activities and restaurant tables are booked through the front desk on WhatsApp, +263 772 100 791, or on 086 77 100 700. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking avoids disappointment.
