Hi All
Over the years, I have, literally, spent hundreds of nights in our Eastern Highlands. The most memorable trips have been when I’ve stayed with close friends or family in a respectable cottage or lodge for three nights or more: where there has been no TV or Internet; where evenings were spent huddled around a blazing fireplace filled with crackling pinecones; playing card or board games like Canasta, Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit; accompanied by a bowl or two of freshly made vegetable soup.
I’ve just spent a few days relaxing in a very up-market version of my ideal Nyanga getaway – The old Inn on the Rupurara has been completely renovated and refurbished with elegant five-star fittings and rebranded as the Rupurara Valley Lodge. This retreat is located 3km off the main Nyanga road just north of the Montclair Hotel. It has been built in a valley overlooking a large granite dombo known to the locals as Rupurara after the shona word muparavara (Bald Head)
“Take me to the mountains
For that’s where I belong
Just birds and trees
And wind and leaves
And silence as my song”
Read “Take me to the Mountains” by Beth Wren
I arrived in good time to sample a cold, frosty lunchtime beer whilst taking in the verandah’s splendid views, before sitting down to the first of many good meals – no rush; no TV; chilled with no fuss – just excellent service.
The rooms (18 in total) all have extra-large, king-size beds with warm duvets, perfect pillows, and electric blankets. My en-suite bathroom was fitted with both a shower and a spacious bath whilst the small basin was fittingly separated between the bedroom and bathroom.
The roomy lounge had appropriate groupings of chairs allowing for either your own private space or for a communal gathering around the fireplace. All the buildings have solid granite foundations with ample spacing allowing for complete privacy. My book for the evenings was Ken Follett’s “Never” – an excellent novel that will take a few more weekends to devour.
There is also a completely separate self-catering unit hidden away from the main lodges. This has, in the past, been a temporary home for a few well-to-do businessmen who have taken up to a week to completely detox from the “Hurry-Hurry” trap that we are sometimes caught up in.
Accommodation and food prices were relatively reasonable for this up-market retreat way up in the mountains. Send us an email if you want to find out more – bookings@bambazonke.co.zw . Ciao for now. Mike G.
