Frog & Fern

Zimbabwe

LoginSave

On a hill above town, backing on to the Pork Pie Eland sanctuary, Frog & Fern is Chimanimani's nicest place to stay. There's a choice of stone cabins or rondavel cottages (the double-storey rondavels are architectural masterpieces), all with cooking facilities, fireplaces and garden views. Breakfast is available for US$10, but otherwise it's self-catering.

Owner Jane is a wealth of knowledge on everything in the area.

The road up is quite rough, so you'll need a high-clearance vehicle to get here.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Chimanimani Mountains, Chimanimani, Manicaland, Zimbabwe

    Chimanimani National Park

    12.29 MILES

    With its pristine wilderness, Chimanimani National Park is a hiker's paradise. Sharing a border with Mozambique, the park is still very wild and unspoiled…

  • Bridal Veil Falls

    Bridal Veil Falls

    1.44 MILES

    The aptly named Bridal Veil Falls drop 50m in a delicate, fanned manner. It's worth a visit for its tranquil sanctuary location where you can swim at the…

  • Tessa's Pool

    Tessa's Pool

    8.06 MILES

    A popular place to visit within the national park is this natural swimming hole. Also here are San rock art paintings, but drop by the Outward Bound…

  • North Cave

    North Cave

    10.73 MILES

    A 30-minute walk north of the mountain hut, North Cave overlooks a waterfall and opens onto views of the highest peaks. Above the waterfall is a pool,…

  • Mt Binga

    Mt Binga

    12.45 MILES

    The highest point in the Chimanimani Range is the 2437m-high Mt Binga on the Mozambican border, a stiff three-hour climb from the mountain hut site. Carry…

  • Eland Sanctuary

    Eland Sanctuary

    1.49 MILES

    While you'd be very lucky to spot any elands these days, it's still worth the trek up here for splendid views of the mountainous surrounds. It's 4km north…

  • Chimanimani Anglican Church

    Chimanimani Anglican Church

    0.64 MILES

    This historic church featuring lovely stained-glass windows, and believed to be several centuries old, was shipped here from London in 1960.

  • Red Wall Cave

    Red Wall Cave

    11.12 MILES

    One of the national park's more well-known caves, a 40-minute walk from the mountain hut.

View more attractions

Nearby Zimbabwe attractions

1. Chimanimani Anglican Church

0.64 MILES

This historic church featuring lovely stained-glass windows, and believed to be several centuries old, was shipped here from London in 1960.

2. Bridal Veil Falls

1.44 MILES

The aptly named Bridal Veil Falls drop 50m in a delicate, fanned manner. It's worth a visit for its tranquil sanctuary location where you can swim at the…

3. Eland Sanctuary

1.49 MILES

While you'd be very lucky to spot any elands these days, it's still worth the trek up here for splendid views of the mountainous surrounds. It's 4km north…

4. Tessa's Pool

8.06 MILES

A popular place to visit within the national park is this natural swimming hole. Also here are San rock art paintings, but drop by the Outward Bound…

5. North Cave

10.73 MILES

A 30-minute walk north of the mountain hut, North Cave overlooks a waterfall and opens onto views of the highest peaks. Above the waterfall is a pool,…

6. Peter's House Cave

10.94 MILES

One of several caves in the park, Peter's House is actually a disused mine shaft, and can be used as a campsite.

7. Red Wall Cave

11.12 MILES

One of the national park's more well-known caves, a 40-minute walk from the mountain hut.