Mutare

A memorial built in memory of 269 Africans from Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and the Portuguese East Africa who had lost their lives in the German East African Campaign of World War I. Erected by Colonel Methuen, the memorial is a massive Cross constructed of granite and reinforced concrete and it stands nearly ten metres high, and is over a metre thick, has cross arms of nearly five metres and weighs over fifty tonnes. The memorial was illuminated by floodlights, but these are now defunct, which gave the cross an impressive silhouette.

Antelope, elephant, rhino, zebra and wildebeest. Open daily. The Cecil Kop Nature Reserve encompasses of scenic beauty, where you can see Zimbabwe's wildlife under natural conditions 3 km from the city centre, open every day of the year. Visitors may also drive around Thompson's Vlei section of the game park on the eastern borders of the city. The Murahwa's Hill forms the backdrop to the Mutare Showgrounds, a nature reserve that is a naturalist's delight. Rare birds, butterflies and trees are found in their natural environment.

It was established in 1945, and in 1959 it was taken over by the National Museums and Monuments as the third of its five national museums. The museum houses the national collection of antiquities, firearms, edged weapons, and road transports. The display galleries include flora and fauna of Manicaland, zoology exhibits, transport items and a large "walk-in" aviary housing over 500 birds. Temporary displays are held regularly. Can be found on Victory Avenue off Aerodrome Road.

The Civic Centre complex, apart from being the administrative centre of the city, contains the Courtauld Theatre, the Queen's Hall and the Turner Memorial Library. Across the road from the complex is the Mutare Post Office, which was opened in 1973. Visitors may see the Mayor's Parlour, the reception rooms and the Council Chamber during working hours. The Turner Memorial Library, in the Civic Centre complex, is a subscription lending library with a good variety of fiction and non-fiction.

The result of many years of hard work, the Aloe Gardens in Mutare's Main Park are becoming increasingly famous throughout the southern Africa region. The gardens contain about 10,000 aloes and numerous indigenous shrubs and cycads. The 243 species of aloe were collected from throughout Africa and Madagascar.

This site offers magnificent views, as well as thatched shelters, toilets, braai areas for campers, and is popular for fishing, yachting and rowing. Row boats are available for hire, and there is a yachting club at the lake. Smallbridge Dam, upstream from Lake Alexander on the Odzani River offers fishing and boating in scenic surroundings.